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Steven Polge is a programmer at Epic Games, responsible for the games' AI system.
Bio[]
Before joining the then-Epic MegaGames, Steve worked at IBM for about 7.5 years after obtaining his Master's degree in Computer Engineering.[1] His interest in Artificial Intelligence led him to take several graduate courses related to AI,[1] ultimately resulting in the release of the Reaper Bot for Quake in 1997, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the first computer-controlled deathmatch opponent.[2]
In that same year, Epic offered him a job working on Unreal after a series of email exchanges with Mark Rein. However, he wouldn't have joined Epic to work on Unreal if he didn't believe it had significant potential, which it indeed did.[3] After shipping Unreal, they realized they wanted to delve further into multiplayer. The bot AI he was developing provided the opportunity to create a multiplayer-focused game that could also be enjoyed as a standalone, which was crucial at a time when not everyone had reliable internet connections or experience with multiplayer gaming. He served as the lead programmer for Unreal Tournament, focusing on AI, networking, player physics, and general gameplay.[4]
For Unreal Tournament 3, the most significant challenge he faced regarding the AI was successfully implementing all the desired features and capabilities, such as ruleset, strategy and tactic understanding, a knowledge model about the game world and game state similar in limitations to what a player would know, and a human-like aiming model, with the same kinds of strengths and weaknesses in hitting targets under various conditions that would affect a human player.[5]
In addition to programming for the franchise, he served as the lead designer for Unreal Tournament 3[6] and has been credited on other Epic titles such as Gears of War, Shadow Complex, and Infinity Blade.
Works[]
| Credits of Steven Polge | |
|---|---|
| Unreal | AI Programming |
| Unreal Tournament | Programming |
| Unreal II: The Awakening | Engine Programming |
| Unreal Championship | Programming |
| Unreal Tournament 2003 | Programming |
| Unreal Tournament 2004 | Programming |
| Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict | Additional Programming |
| Unreal Tournament 3 | Lead Designer Lead Programmer |
Trivia[]
External links and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Quietman (April 7, 2001). "Steve Polge Interview". OzUnreal. Archived from the original on April 12, 2001. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ↑ "First computer-controlled deathmatch opponent". Guinness World Records. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ↑ New Vore Times, Fragmaster. "Fear The Reaper: An Interview with Steven Polge". PlanetQuake. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ↑ Conley, Stacey (December 21st, 2012). "The Longevity of Unreal Tournament: Part One". Epic Games. Archived from the original on July 28, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ↑ Thöing, Sebastian (June 15, 2007). "Interview mit Steve Polge (englisch)". PCGames.de. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ↑ Park, Andrew (May 9, 2005). "Unreal Tournament 2007 Exclusive Preview - An Overview of the Next UT". GameInformer. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- spineblaZe (May 22, 2005). "BeyondUnreal at E3: Steve Polge on UT2007". BeyondUnreal. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
- Stuart, Keith (January 30, 2008). "Unreal Tournament 3 Interview: notes from the AI frontline". The Guardian. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- Kelly, Neon (February 26, 2009). "Steve Polge on Epic's future plans". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved May 27, 2019.