Tommy Thompson
@tommy.aiandgames.com
That Scottish AI and games guy...
__
Founder of @aiandgames.com
Game AI Programmer & Consultant
Public speaker, educator, nuisance
BAFTA Connect
He-Him, PhD
--
Weekly Newsletter: aiandgames.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@aiandgames
__
Founder of @aiandgames.com
Game AI Programmer & Consultant
Public speaker, educator, nuisance
BAFTA Connect
He-Him, PhD
--
Weekly Newsletter: aiandgames.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@aiandgames
Pinned
Tommy Thompson
@tommy.aiandgames.com
· Jan 14
Can we just get back to everyone being annoyed at AI in games because the NPCs won't walk through the damn doors correctly?
I kinda miss those days.
I kinda miss those days.
Really appreciate the effort in the review to highlight that while there is some very cool AI in Arc Raiders, there's equally some very uncool AI too.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
My review of ARC Raiders is now live. It's a well designed extraction shooter. But Embark Studios' use of AI voices is indefensible in a game that has benefited so much from human speech. www.eurogamer.net/arc-raiders-...
Arc Raiders review - a smartly designed extraction shooter marred by one inexcusable decision
Rich combat and an unusually friendly community make Arc Raiders an cracking extraction shooter, but Embark Studios' continued use of AI voices is inexcusable.
www.eurogamer.net
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Really appreciate the effort in the review to highlight that while there is some very cool AI in Arc Raiders, there's equally some very uncool AI too.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
The Finals got away with it's cheap and tacky sounding AI voices because it fit the theme. But it sucks they doubled down on it so aggressively.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
It's a monday! Which means I'm sending out my weekly automation and quality engineering newsletter later!
Did you know every Monday I sent out a newsletter with some of this week's thoughts on automation in games? And I won't make you make a substack account!!!
andrewfray.dev/newsletter.h...
andrewfray.dev/newsletter.h...
Andrew Fray - Newsletter
Sign up for Andrew’s Automation newsletter for game developers
andrewfray.dev
November 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
It's a monday! Which means I'm sending out my weekly automation and quality engineering newsletter later!
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Don't worry, we know what you're after.
November 10, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Don't worry, we know what you're after.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Now you can touch our game! (on PS5)
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...
November 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Now you can touch our game! (on PS5)
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...
EU: www.thegamecollection.net/products/int...
US: www.amazon.com/Into-Restles...
New header image perhaps?
November 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
New header image perhaps?
Oh boy I built an entire _library_ of*aggressively mediocre* platforming games with The Games Factory.
I even made all the pixel art from my own drawings.
I even made all the pixel art from my own drawings.
November 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Oh boy I built an entire _library_ of*aggressively mediocre* platforming games with The Games Factory.
I even made all the pixel art from my own drawings.
I even made all the pixel art from my own drawings.
A reminder that Absolum and the new Shinobi are just awesome. Picking them up for a lazy weekend has been perfect.
I was a big fan of Streets of Rage 4 by Dotemu, Guard Crush Games and Lizardcube.
So having Absolum (by Guard Crush) and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (by Lizardcube) come out within weeks of each other has been a real treat.
Loving both of these games right now. Snappy crunchy fun, and gorgeous.
So having Absolum (by Guard Crush) and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (by Lizardcube) come out within weeks of each other has been a real treat.
Loving both of these games right now. Snappy crunchy fun, and gorgeous.
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A reminder that Absolum and the new Shinobi are just awesome. Picking them up for a lazy weekend has been perfect.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
AIIDE '25 proceedings are up! And the conference starts in two days. 🧳✈️
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2025): Twenty-First AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment
| Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Intera...
ojs.aaai.org
November 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
AIIDE '25 proceedings are up! And the conference starts in two days. 🧳✈️
Still just buzzing from running the @conference.aiandgames.com this week. Bringing our community together to learn from each other and just have a good time is so rewarding - and so much work!!! 😅
November 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Still just buzzing from running the @conference.aiandgames.com this week. Bringing our community together to learn from each other and just have a good time is so rewarding - and so much work!!! 😅
It's bizarre to say out loud but seeing so much love for this year's @conference.aiandgames.com on socials has been great.
It's bizarre to say because most of it is on LinkedIn(???).
But hey, I like to think we've made it a better place this week 😅
It's bizarre to say because most of it is on LinkedIn(???).
But hey, I like to think we've made it a better place this week 😅
November 8, 2025 at 9:25 AM
It's bizarre to say out loud but seeing so much love for this year's @conference.aiandgames.com on socials has been great.
It's bizarre to say because most of it is on LinkedIn(???).
But hey, I like to think we've made it a better place this week 😅
It's bizarre to say because most of it is on LinkedIn(???).
But hey, I like to think we've made it a better place this week 😅
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Fluid HTN v0.4 released.
- Primitive task operators now with Start function.
- Abort function for forcibly terminated tasks (previous Aborted)
tinyurl.com/fluidhtn
- Primitive task operators now with Start function.
- Abort function for forcibly terminated tasks (previous Aborted)
tinyurl.com/fluidhtn
GitHub - ptrefall/fluid-hierarchical-task-network: A simple HTN planner based around the principles of the Builder pattern.
A simple HTN planner based around the principles of the Builder pattern. - ptrefall/fluid-hierarchical-task-network
tinyurl.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Fluid HTN v0.4 released.
- Primitive task operators now with Start function.
- Abort function for forcibly terminated tasks (previous Aborted)
tinyurl.com/fluidhtn
- Primitive task operators now with Start function.
- Abort function for forcibly terminated tasks (previous Aborted)
tinyurl.com/fluidhtn
Good lord am I tired.
I did the big thank you over on LinkedIn, but we did it.
2025 @conference.aiandgames.com is in the bag.
The only way to combat the hype that plagues AI in game dev is to fight back with knowledge, experience, compassion, and community.
And we're just getting started...
I did the big thank you over on LinkedIn, but we did it.
2025 @conference.aiandgames.com is in the bag.
The only way to combat the hype that plagues AI in game dev is to fight back with knowledge, experience, compassion, and community.
And we're just getting started...
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Good lord am I tired.
I did the big thank you over on LinkedIn, but we did it.
2025 @conference.aiandgames.com is in the bag.
The only way to combat the hype that plagues AI in game dev is to fight back with knowledge, experience, compassion, and community.
And we're just getting started...
I did the big thank you over on LinkedIn, but we did it.
2025 @conference.aiandgames.com is in the bag.
The only way to combat the hype that plagues AI in game dev is to fight back with knowledge, experience, compassion, and community.
And we're just getting started...
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
I am kinda missing this madness now! @tommy.aiandgames.com @aphraella.bsky.social @alanzucconi.com @msiemonsmeier.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I am kinda missing this madness now! @tommy.aiandgames.com @aphraella.bsky.social @alanzucconi.com @msiemonsmeier.bsky.social
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Very happy with how my talk "Debugging Across Time and Platforms: The Power of Determinism" yesterday at @conference.aiandgames.com!
"Managed to make a very deep technical topic entertaining and easy to follow", "One of the worst Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions I have ever heard"
"Managed to make a very deep technical topic entertaining and easy to follow", "One of the worst Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions I have ever heard"
November 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Very happy with how my talk "Debugging Across Time and Platforms: The Power of Determinism" yesterday at @conference.aiandgames.com!
"Managed to make a very deep technical topic entertaining and easy to follow", "One of the worst Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions I have ever heard"
"Managed to make a very deep technical topic entertaining and easy to follow", "One of the worst Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions I have ever heard"
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
The @conference.aiandgames.com is packed! Day 1
November 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The @conference.aiandgames.com is packed! Day 1
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Bluesky has NO ALGORITHM.
Likes are PRIVATE by default.
If you enjoy someone's content, you've GOT to get used to circulating it.
The point of social media is to be SOCIAL.
It's literally just a 2nd button press; please help artists out by hitting reblog, too! Likes are nice, reblogs get exposure!
Likes are PRIVATE by default.
If you enjoy someone's content, you've GOT to get used to circulating it.
The point of social media is to be SOCIAL.
It's literally just a 2nd button press; please help artists out by hitting reblog, too! Likes are nice, reblogs get exposure!
Bluesky needs a bit of a culture shift
I'm noticing that engagement has kindof been cratering, but favs haven't. People will fav a post but not comment or repost it, I've noticed this with others as well.
If you like something, spread it! Try commenting to bump it or repost it eh?
I'm noticing that engagement has kindof been cratering, but favs haven't. People will fav a post but not comment or repost it, I've noticed this with others as well.
If you like something, spread it! Try commenting to bump it or repost it eh?
October 30, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Bluesky has NO ALGORITHM.
Likes are PRIVATE by default.
If you enjoy someone's content, you've GOT to get used to circulating it.
The point of social media is to be SOCIAL.
It's literally just a 2nd button press; please help artists out by hitting reblog, too! Likes are nice, reblogs get exposure!
Likes are PRIVATE by default.
If you enjoy someone's content, you've GOT to get used to circulating it.
The point of social media is to be SOCIAL.
It's literally just a 2nd button press; please help artists out by hitting reblog, too! Likes are nice, reblogs get exposure!
Time for the annual @aiandgames.com Halloween stream!
Join me tonight at 7pm GMT as I jump on to play Condemned: Criminal Origins for the very first time!
Looking forward to it. I'll be on YouTube on AI and Games Plus and on our Twitch channel (ttv/aiandgames)
youtube.com/live/4yBpJvu...
Join me tonight at 7pm GMT as I jump on to play Condemned: Criminal Origins for the very first time!
Looking forward to it. I'll be on YouTube on AI and Games Plus and on our Twitch channel (ttv/aiandgames)
youtube.com/live/4yBpJvu...
AI and Games Plays Condemned: Criminal Origins
YouTube video by AI and Games Plus
youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Time for the annual @aiandgames.com Halloween stream!
Join me tonight at 7pm GMT as I jump on to play Condemned: Criminal Origins for the very first time!
Looking forward to it. I'll be on YouTube on AI and Games Plus and on our Twitch channel (ttv/aiandgames)
youtube.com/live/4yBpJvu...
Join me tonight at 7pm GMT as I jump on to play Condemned: Criminal Origins for the very first time!
Looking forward to it. I'll be on YouTube on AI and Games Plus and on our Twitch channel (ttv/aiandgames)
youtube.com/live/4yBpJvu...
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Today I dropped part 1 of a much longer thesis I have on the existential crisis facing Game AI, and how we reached this point in the industry.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
With the 2025 @conference.aiandgames.com just around the corner, @tommy.aiandgames.com had something to get off his chest, or at least part of it.
Game AI is facing an existential crisis, and we need to start talking about it.
www.aiandgames.com/p/game-ais-e...
Game AI is facing an existential crisis, and we need to start talking about it.
www.aiandgames.com/p/game-ais-e...
Game AI's Existential Crisis (Part 1) | 29/10/25
Sponsored by Shibboleth
www.aiandgames.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Today I dropped part 1 of a much longer thesis I have on the existential crisis facing Game AI, and how we reached this point in the industry.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
I'm sorry, what??? 😮 That is amazing.
brb gotta check the size of my hand luggage, for reasons.
brb gotta check the size of my hand luggage, for reasons.
With our event just days away, it's time to announce a special surprise!
We made an @aiandgames.com plushie!
Grab yours at the AI and Games Conference next week, or sign up to the waitlist (plushie.aiandgames.com) to be the first to know when we release a batch for sale online in early 2026.
We made an @aiandgames.com plushie!
Grab yours at the AI and Games Conference next week, or sign up to the waitlist (plushie.aiandgames.com) to be the first to know when we release a batch for sale online in early 2026.
October 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I'm sorry, what??? 😮 That is amazing.
brb gotta check the size of my hand luggage, for reasons.
brb gotta check the size of my hand luggage, for reasons.
Today I dropped part 1 of a much longer thesis I have on the existential crisis facing Game AI, and how we reached this point in the industry.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
With the 2025 @conference.aiandgames.com just around the corner, @tommy.aiandgames.com had something to get off his chest, or at least part of it.
Game AI is facing an existential crisis, and we need to start talking about it.
www.aiandgames.com/p/game-ais-e...
Game AI is facing an existential crisis, and we need to start talking about it.
www.aiandgames.com/p/game-ais-e...
Game AI's Existential Crisis (Part 1) | 29/10/25
Sponsored by Shibboleth
www.aiandgames.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Today I dropped part 1 of a much longer thesis I have on the existential crisis facing Game AI, and how we reached this point in the industry.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
It's been nagging at me for months and I needed to start writing it out both to give it shape, and to let it out because I think we need to talk about it.
A stupid idea that became reality all too quickly.
A secret I've been sitting on for six months.
My logo is a freaking plushie - and I love it so much!
Grab one at @conference.aiandgames.com next week or sign up to the waitlist for when they go on sale online in 2026:
plushie.aiandgames.com
A secret I've been sitting on for six months.
My logo is a freaking plushie - and I love it so much!
Grab one at @conference.aiandgames.com next week or sign up to the waitlist for when they go on sale online in 2026:
plushie.aiandgames.com
With our event just days away, it's time to announce a special surprise!
We made an @aiandgames.com plushie!
Grab yours at the AI and Games Conference next week, or sign up to the waitlist (plushie.aiandgames.com) to be the first to know when we release a batch for sale online in early 2026.
We made an @aiandgames.com plushie!
Grab yours at the AI and Games Conference next week, or sign up to the waitlist (plushie.aiandgames.com) to be the first to know when we release a batch for sale online in early 2026.
October 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A stupid idea that became reality all too quickly.
A secret I've been sitting on for six months.
My logo is a freaking plushie - and I love it so much!
Grab one at @conference.aiandgames.com next week or sign up to the waitlist for when they go on sale online in 2026:
plushie.aiandgames.com
A secret I've been sitting on for six months.
My logo is a freaking plushie - and I love it so much!
Grab one at @conference.aiandgames.com next week or sign up to the waitlist for when they go on sale online in 2026:
plushie.aiandgames.com
I often think a lack this stems from the fact Generative AI is incapable of fostering culture. Because culture stems from a dialogue about the work.
When the origins of a piece are 'a algorithm that copies other things' there isn't a story that can be constructed that brings people into it.
When the origins of a piece are 'a algorithm that copies other things' there isn't a story that can be constructed that brings people into it.
There is something truly remarkable about Generative AI.
Several years in this revolution, half of the US GDP dumped to make these tools free, and i can't think of a single generated artifact, text, image, sound, video that had a significant cultural impact.
Several years in this revolution, half of the US GDP dumped to make these tools free, and i can't think of a single generated artifact, text, image, sound, video that had a significant cultural impact.
October 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I often think a lack this stems from the fact Generative AI is incapable of fostering culture. Because culture stems from a dialogue about the work.
When the origins of a piece are 'a algorithm that copies other things' there isn't a story that can be constructed that brings people into it.
When the origins of a piece are 'a algorithm that copies other things' there isn't a story that can be constructed that brings people into it.
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
October 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Tommy Thompson
Still a few slots open on the Nov 18th workshop - come learn about shipping better games faster through test automation!
(If you’re indie, dm me for a discount)
(If you’re Netflix, dm me for a price increase)
(If you’re indie, dm me for a discount)
(If you’re Netflix, dm me for a price increase)
Game devs!
- want to make big changes closer to launch?
- scared of a buggy launch that might impact discoverability?
- like QA to do more exploratory testing, not repetitive checklists?
Join my virtual workshop on 1st Oct to learn about pragmatic test automation!
andrewfray.dev/workshops.html
- want to make big changes closer to launch?
- scared of a buggy launch that might impact discoverability?
- like QA to do more exploratory testing, not repetitive checklists?
Join my virtual workshop on 1st Oct to learn about pragmatic test automation!
andrewfray.dev/workshops.html
Andrew Fray Automation Workshops
Learn about test automation in game development from one of the leading experts in the field
andrewfray.dev
October 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Still a few slots open on the Nov 18th workshop - come learn about shipping better games faster through test automation!
(If you’re indie, dm me for a discount)
(If you’re Netflix, dm me for a price increase)
(If you’re indie, dm me for a discount)
(If you’re Netflix, dm me for a price increase)