A Video Game Based on Optimal Control and Elementary Statistics

This paper shows how optimal control models and ele- mentary statistics can be used to simulate intelligent be- haviour in a video game involving two teams of actors. The movements of the actors are restricted by the physi- cal laws of classical mechanics. The video game is a prey-predator game where two human players (preys) face the opposition of three automated players (preda- tors). The preys pursue the goal of avoiding the predators and of reaching a location on the game field called preys’ home. The predators pursue the goal of capturing the preys (i.e. of having a “rendez vous” with the preys) us- ing a small amount of the “resources” available to them.