Research on game programming started almost immediately after the advent of computers, and numerous technological advances of search algorithms, planning, machine learning, and collaborative problem solving have been made with the aim of creating strong game-playing programs.
In particular, in the past few years there have been some significant
advances in Shogi and Go. In Shogi (Japanese chess), the development of new
search methods and research into the automatic tuning of evaluation functions
have resulted in programs with a playing strength similar to that of
professional shogi players. In Go, Monte-Carlo based approaches and machine
learning techniques have led to a drastic improvement in playing strength. Also,
many important technological advances have been achieved in computational
approaches to puzzles, table games, incomplete information games, etc.
This annual workshop started in 1994 and has been an important venue for
researchers who are interested in various aspects of game programming. This
year, we solicit original papers offering novel contributions on topics
including (but not limited to):
- Game playing programs
-
Algorithms for solving puzzles
- Programs for creating
puzzles
- Cognitive science of game playing
- Learning game
strategies
- Video games
- Games on the Internet
-
Analysis of human behavior with game theory
- Multi-agent games (e.g.
soccer)
- Analysis of game histories with computers
-
Developing novel games with computers
- Computer architecture suitable
for games
- Computer-aided game-skill development
Notes for
participants from abroad:
- Typically, more than 90% of the
presentations during the workshop will be given in Japanese. We do accept and
welcome English papers and presentations, but some level of familiarity with
Japanese will be required to fully appreciate the workshop program.
