Poll: Bots in FPSs

[Avida]

With the exception of Left 4 Dead why have bots dissappeared from the face of the gaming earth? By this im meaning Quake-style multiplayer AI, surely Call Of Duty's local multiplayer could have been vastly improved with such a simple addition. While its fun to go online and blow the head off those less forutnate than you there was always something fun about teaming up with a mate or two to slay some baddies without the rigmarole of repetitive campaigns. Another example i forgot at the start is Super smash bro's brawl, where would it be without bots in its multiplayer, if its improved that much can we not apply the idea to mainstream FPSs?

Anyway that was poorly formed but its christmas so what the hell, the basic idea's outlined in the poll anyway - Bots, love/hate them? Miss their presence? Discuss.

 

[RAWKSTAR]

Oh 100%, I remember Red Fraction 2... You used to design bots and they'd get better aswell.
I do miss those bots indeed.

 

[Vladamir69]

bots can allow a person to play an FPS by themselves. Example on the GC Medal of Honor Rising sun it probably had the best bots that ive ever seen. on the higher difficulties they were on par with my level of playing and thats saying a lot

 

[Gxas]

They threw bots into Gears 2 which, IMO, helps a lot for those without XBL. Sadly, the AI is ridiculously stupid even on the hardest difficulty. I must say that the only game that did bots right is Timesplitters. No game has come close since then.

 

[Evil Scotsman]

Well, for some games, its a good thing they added them, ex. Gears of War 2, for people without Live, they can play it with more than 1 person shooting at them. Halo 3, for example, would be a PAIN with bots
EDIT: oh bugger, nevermind about the gears bit, forgot it was a FPS we were talking about , also i like bots

 

[Fightgarr]

Perfect Dark was awesome in part because of them.

 

[CompanionCube]

There's nothing quite as satisfying as taking out 5 enemies at a time.

 

[Varchld]

Perfect Dark was awesome in part because of them.

Yea, the original I hope you're talking about. I remember playing countless games on the N64 and for a console it was truely a wonder. They weren't always particularly smart or accurate but they did put in many different AI styles.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Bots are essential.

If nothing else they are there to teach new players the game mechanics and to rack up some kills without having to put up with the merciless stream of abuse and griefing that will befall them when they venture out to fight human opponents...

On the higher difficulties they were on par with my level of playing and thats saying a lot

But mostly it's saying you were rubbish right?


Sorry, couldn't resist...
... Happy Hanukkah

 

[ReverseEngineered]

I think bots disappeared because many of them were so poorly done. Even in many modern games, the bots are thrown in to make a single player mode for an otherwise multiplayer game. They were either so stupid that they would only move in a straight line and only when you were within 20 feet, or they were so perfect that they would headshot you from across the map with a pistol.

Games like Quake actually put a lot of effort into their bots and that's why they were so enjoyable. Nowadays, companies are more concerned about beautiful graphics or pumping out a new release every year. Even the existing AI doesn't get used.

As with most things in gaming, if we don't demand it, they won't bother with it.

 

[Avida]

Well, for some games, its a good thing they added them, ex. Gears of War 2, for people without Live, they can play it with more than 1 person shooting at them. Halo 3, for example, would be a PAIN with bots
EDIT: oh bugger, nevermind about the gears bit, forgot it was a FPS we were talking about , also i like bots

Why would halo 3 be such a pain with them? I reckon it'd be great - having freinds over who havnt played it would give the option to pit them against their skill level rather than be minced by us lot, it could help in the testing of custom maps too.

 

[Avida]

The bots in left 4 dead were really stupid so i don't really miss bots at all

True, but they could shoot at least and having one take over from you when a controller disconnected has saved my teams ass more times than i can count

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

Have you seen halo 3 AI? They can't do anything right unless attempting to try and kill you.

Killzone 2 bots anyone?

 

[fix-the-spade]

Killzone 2 bots anyone?

Now there's hope, Killzone's Bots were actually pretty smart. They didn't really do much besides move on objective and attack, they just happened to be extremely good at it. Fighting them on hader difficulties, especially attack/defend modes was pretty hard work.
Easier than humans, but still required some forethought rather than the enter room open fire aproach most bots need.

 

[Avida]

Killzone 2 bots anyone?

Now there's hope, Killzone's Bots were actually pretty smart. They didn't really do much besides move on objective and attack, they just happened to be extremely good at it. Fighting them on hader difficulties, especially attack/defend modes was pretty hard work.
Easier than humans, but still required some forethought rather than the enter room open fire aproach most bots need.

I loved the killzone bot fights, got incredibally elitist with a freind on the offline mode, which says alot considering the almost unplayably low framerate

 

[chimmers]

Bots are fun sometimes. In Nightfire my brother and I used to like making a team of random crap baddies face off against Super Bond. They were stupid, but stupid can be fun occasionally

 

[Jumplion]

Well, I was going to note the Killzone 2 bots, but seeing as how that's not special anymore, I'll just agree with Bullet.

I always hate it when I'm playing a game and the opposing team has 5 more players than us because some of the guys on my team dropped out or had a bad connection. It feels even worse when the other team gets 1 or 2 more guys than you regardless. I know one or two missing people isn't going to change much, but I always feel shorthanded and cheated when the odds aren't even (unless the game mode calls for it).

Bots help fill that void and it helps even things out even if it's by a one person margin.

 

[Steve Dark]

I just think of Unreal Tournament (GOTY ofc). That game would have been nothing without the bots. I especially loved how the description of the highest level of bot, "you're already dead", was ENTIRELY accurate.

 

[Vlane]

I really miss bots. I remember playing Killzone with my friend. 2 vs. 6. It was awesome.

I also miss the splitscreen multiplayer.

 

[Apone]

Bots in Timesplitters all the way!

We used to play a game with everyone as Lazerous Mumble (in Future Perfect) with mini guns and one hit kils with full bots.
Games would last around 2 seconds on the Ice level.
Good times.