If you’re a bot, and you’re from L4D, we suggest you leave. Now.
Most games aren't much fun without something (or someone) to compete against. A First Person Shooter (FPS), for example, would be quite boring if every target was an inanimate instance, waiting to be destroyed by your favoured choice of weapon.
A Real Time Strategy (RTS) game, where every time you played, the same tactic applied. For this reason, game developers tend to create opponents which, to an extent, are hard to predict due to their constantly changing position, tactic, difficulty, etc. depending on their surroundings and interaction with other objects.
Alternatively, you can play with other humans, who are almost impossible to predict exactly. Games often separate the two, however. You either compete with ‘bots', computer controlled opponents (often single player), or battle against other humans (often multiplayer).
Co-operative games are also thick and far between, particularly with FPSs. These games merge several humans and bots together.
Bots. The pinnacle of frustration.
For those who haven't played ‘Left 4 Dead', I urge you do so. Not for the awesome co-op gameplay, the classic source engine, or the sight of dozens of infected being propelled into the air and smooshed into a bloody mist, courtesy of a strategically placed pipe bomb. No - that'd deprive you of all the game has to offer. I want you to play to experience the AI. And for those playing at home - with a multitude of said experience - I know you're smirking. The bots are frankly, hopeless. Let's examine their dirty habits.
Issue: 133 | February, 2012