AI and Games | Tommy Thompson | Substack

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Case Studies

Generative Design in Minecraft in 2026

We revisit the GDMC competition as it enters its 9th year

May 20 • Tommy Thompson

Multi-Surface Pathfinding in Alien: Rogue Incursion

Building reactive, fast-moving xenomorphs for a VR title.

May 1 • Tommy Thompson

GameBot's COTA Demo Showcases FPS Bots Powered by LLMs

In this sponsored episode we chat with the devs at Gamebot about their new LLM tech demo.

Feb 24 • Tommy Thompson

Snowcap: Ubisoft's AI-Powered GPU Profiler

A plugin for the Snowdrop engine, Snowcap estimates GPU performance for consoles in real-time using a trained AI model.

Feb 6 • Tommy Thompson

Weekly Newsletter

Introducing the AI and Games Podcast | 26/06/26

Powered by AWS for Games, with ad-free episodes & bonus content for premium subscribers.

5 hrs ago • Tommy Thompson

New AI Tracks @ Gamescom Dev 2026 in Association with the AI and Games Conference | 19/06/26

Join us for two days of AI talks at Gamescom Dev this August!

Jun 19 • Tommy Thompson

The UK Government's New 'AI Adoption Plan' for Creative Industries | 10/6/26

I look at the latest report on suggestions for AI in the creative industries

Jun 10 • Tommy Thompson

Announcing the 2026 AI and Games Conference | 05/06/26

Speaker submissions are open and early-bird tickets are on sale now!

Jun 5 • Tommy Thompson

Capcom Lays Out Their AI Philosophy | 27/05/26

Capcom's corrects the AI narrative. ASUS announces new RAM. Ubisoft's new AI investment. Plus I review some indie titles I am playing while on the road…

May 27 • Tommy Thompson

AI 101

The Rise of the AI Simulated 'Game'

A breakdown of an emerging trend in AI research.

Mar 28, 2025 • Tommy Thompson

AI 101: Introducing Utility AI

Understanding the value of action in context.

Jan 28, 2025

AI 101: Managing the Experience with Director AI

How we use AI systems to govern the mood and flow of a game.

Jan 27, 2025 • Tommy Thompson

AI 101: Building the AI of F.E.A.R. with Goal Oriented Action Planning

First Encounter Assault Recon proved a breakthrough moment for game AI. So let's explore how it works in detail.

May 7, 2024 • Tommy Thompson

Design Dive

5 Reasons Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound gets Difficulty Right

The Game Kitchen finds the right balance between fun and frustration!

Jan 27 • Tommy Thompson

Donkey Kong Bananza’s Simple Design Trick

How Pauline's narrative system is driven by in-game events.

Sep 19, 2025 • Tommy Thompson

How Resident Evil's Villains Reframe Survival Horror

DESIGN DIVE: Pivoting to first-person, makes your antagonists even more terrifying

Sep 22, 2023 • Tommy Thompson

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