Artificial Intelligence Techniques on Real-time Strategy Games

Real-time strategy (RTS) games can be seen as simulating real and complex dynamic environments in a limited and small world, posing important challenges for the development of artificial intelligence. Existing applications of artificial intelligence technology in RTS games are not yet able to compete with professional human players. But there are already ways to control the macro of RTS games, and they can compete with amateur human players. RTS games are an excellent platform for testing artificial intelligence technology, and more and more smarter methods are being used in the overall control of it. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the artificial intelligence technologies used in RTS games in recent years, including the definition of RTS games, the challenges faced, the platform for research problems, and the artificial intelligence methods for problem solving. Finally, we propose the future research direction of real-time strategy games. This article provides a quick start guide for the researchers, the theoretical framework of the system and possible research directions.