Game Programming Workshop

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. These research have become active in Japan, too, because Japanese have been playing games like shogi (Japanese chess) and Go, which Japanese boasts to the world.

It is remarkable to see resent advances in computer shogi and Go. In shogi, the research progress in search methods and evaluation function learning have made program playing level superior to that of professional players. In Go, Monte-Carlo-based approaches and machine learning techniques have led to a drastic improvement in playing strength. The March 2016 matches between AlphaGo and Lee Sedol are still fresh in our memory.

Since then, our research aims have been more diversified. In addition to creating strong game-playing programs, our research aims include acquisition of human-like behaviors, and development of programs able to amuse people or to teach game-play tactics to human players. Moreover, our research field has become more and more active and started to deal with various kind of games, e.g., puzzles, board games, imperfect information games, fighting games, werewolf game, etc.

This workshop has been held almost every year since 1994, gathered domestic and foreign authors and participants together, and provided opportunities to share lively discussions with many researchers.

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 papers and presentations in English; however, some level of familiarity with Japanese language will be required to fully appreciate this workshop.