Luke Dicken

Founder Robot Overlord Games

  • Glasgow

Expert in Artificial Intelligence Applied to Games and Simulated Worlds

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Biography

Luke Dicken is the founder of Robot Overlord Games, and a researcher with the Strathclyde Artificial Intelligence and Games group at the University of Strathclyde in the UK. He has been awarded three of the prestigious International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Scholarships, contributes to AltDevBlogADay and is one of the organisers for the web-based AltDev Conference series. Luke has been passionate about artificial intelligence since playing “Creatures” as a teenager, and pursued it at university, first through several degrees in traditional AI before specialising in AI for games as part of a PhD he is still (occasionally) pursuing. Luke is a director of IGDA Scotland, member of the AI Game Programmers Guild and chair of the IGDA’s Special Interest Group on AI.

Industry Expertise

Information Technology and Services
Education/Learning
Computer Gaming

Areas of Expertise

Artificial Intelligence
Game Development
Education

Accomplishments

Awarded an IGDA Scholarship to attend E3

2011-06-06

I was awarded one of the prestigious IGDA Scholarships to attend E3 alongside a select group of other scholars. We received the opportunity to meet with a number of high profile members of the industry, and got to visit several local studios and organisations as part of the award.

Awarded the 2012 Eric Dybsand Memorial AI Scholarship

2012-03-05

In 2012 I was awarded the Eric Dybsand Memorial AI Scholarship by the IGDA Foundation, which enabled me to attend GDC, The scholarship is given to a promising student in the field of Game AI, and gives the student an All-Access pass and mentorship from the Guild of AI Game Programmers amongst many other benefits.

Awarded an IGDA Scholarship to attend the IGDA Summit and Casual Connect

2012-07-22

I became jointly the first person in the world (alongside fellow three-time Scholar Kyle Rentschler) to receive three of the IGDA Scholarships. This one allowed me to attend the IGDA Summit and Casual Connect in Seattle, and provided a range of additional opportunities outwith the conference.

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Education

The University of Edinburgh

MSc

Bio-Informatics

2007

University of Strathclyde

PhD

Autonomous Systems

2012

In progress (expected 2013)

The University of Edinburgh

BSc(Hons)

Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science

2006

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Affiliations

  • International Game Developers Association
  • AI Game Programmers Guild

Event Appearances

Artificial Intelligence - A Beginners Guide to Enslaving Mankind

The Developer After University  Glasgow

2012-11-14

Artificial Intelligence in Computer and Video Games

British Computer Society (Glasgow) Monthly Meeting  Glasgow

2010-04-11

Knowing When to Hold 'Em, When to Fold 'Em and When to Blow 'Em Up

UWoS Research Student Society Meeting  University of West of Scotland

2010-03-03

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Sample Talks

Skynet and You - Game AI for the Uninitiated

In this session I talk about Game AI in a way that is accessible for designers and producers to help them understand more about what it is, and how it can be used to greater effect in games. I dispel the myths of the "scary" specialism, and show that it is more than "the bit that makes the bad guys shoot back". Example is 25 minutes, 60+ versions are also possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD9HGw1ZTZY

Style

Availability

  • Keynote
  • Moderator
  • Panelist
  • Workshop Leader
  • Host/MC

Fees

$0 to $1000*Will consider certain engagements for no fee
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