we need more PERSONALITY
This is not a new topic: the non-family characters in The Sims 3 somehow feel… smarter? Their behaviour feels less deterministic and varies more from character to character based on individual traits. Whether the underlying AI in The Sims 3 was actually much smarter is debatable, but the game did a better job of creating the illusion of autonomy.
I think what we really need is an AI-lifetime system for The Sims 4 (alhought massivaly simplified), where each Sim optimises (or don't) their life goals and relationships over their lifespan, trying to maximise long-term rewards based on their personality, aspirations, environment, finances, past experiences, and sometimes external luck.
Perhaps this wouldn't need to run for every Sim in the world, but only for those within the player's social circles or active neighbourhood. Sims could develop their own priorities, make long-term plans, start families, chase their desires, maybe even buy items for their homes if they need them.
It would need to be properly offline trained with a some sort of RL algorithm + neural networks, and would certainly make the game more computationally demanding, but I think there is real potential in the idea if it is simplified and not made too complicated. Again, just aiming to creat an illusion of more intelligent Sims. Even a more sophisticated tree-like decision-making mechanism or goal-oriented action planning might actually be an improvement.
It would be fascinating to see how it changes gameplay and whether it makes the game more intersting -- which is the ultimate goal!
My unrealistic dream is to play in a neighbourhood full of AI agents, each competing and cooperating with one another, forming rivalries, and unexpected stories without direct player intervention. If that is the distant future of The Sims, I am definitely staying here for a long time. EA, could you hire me after I graduate?
