[b] By: Scott Schopman [/b]

I am sure most of you out there are very enthused about the next generation of gaming basically at our doorstep. Companies are creating brand new ideas and concepts in anticipation for the new generation. [b]LucasArts[/b] is one of those companies looking to expand their gaming capabilities in the upcoming next generation of gaming. Not only that but [b] LucasArts [/b] is also setting high goals for the generations to come.

On Monday in Los Angeles at Siggraph 2005, a computer-graphics and interactive-technology convention, where he was the keynote speaker, George Lucas, creator of Star Wars and head of [b]LucasArts[/b], stated that he not only wants but he intends to make his video games have Artificial Intelligence. No we aren’t talking AI that will duck and take cover when you begin shooting, we are talking AI that that willl hold a conversation with you about the time and space continuum while ducking and taking cover…. ok so maybe not to that extent yet but Mr. Lucas did state that he wants to see games where you talk and you get a response. “I want to get to a point where you can talk to the game and it will talk back.” Lucas see’s this as the “ultimate goal” for anyone working in the gaming industry.

Lucas see’s a capability of this magnitude would immerse gamers even more into a world where the gamer is the star of the game. “I think that will change games from first-person shooter narratives to intelligent and challenging first-person shooter-type dramas,” Lucas stated.