Can I use a genetic algorithm for balancing character builds?
- by Renan Malke Stigliani
I'm starting to build a online PVP (duel like, one-on-one) game, where there is leveling, skill points, special attacks and all the common stuff. Since I have never done anything like this, I'm still thinking about the math behind the levels/skills/specials balance.
So I thought a good way of testing the best builds/combos, would be to implement a Genetic Algorithm. It'd be like this:
Generate a big group of random characters
Make them fight, level them up accordingly to their victories(more XP)/losses(less XP)
Mate the winners, crossing their builds, to try and make even better characters
Add some more random chars, emulating new players
Repeat the process for some time, or util I find some chars who can beat everyone's butt
I could then play with the math and try to find better balances to make sure that the top x% of chars would be a mix of various build types.
So, is it a good idea, or is there some other, easier method to do the balancing?
