An AI/Behavior Designer at Steel City Interactive (SCI) plays a crucial role in shaping the in-game behavior of characters, particularly in their flagship boxing title, Undisputed. While SCI does not currently list a specific position titled "AI/Behavior Designer," the responsibilities associated with this role are typically encompassed within positions such as Senior Game Designer or AI Programmer. These roles focus on developing and refining the artificial intelligence systems that drive character behaviors and interactions within the game.Steel City Interactive Ltd+4Undisputed - Creators of Undisputed+4gdcvault.com+4
Core Responsibilities
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Designing Character Behaviors
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Develop AI systems that govern how non-player characters (NPCs), especially boxers, react and adapt during matches.
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Implement decision-making algorithms that allow AI opponents to exhibit realistic fighting strategies and tactics.
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Collaborating with Cross-Functional Teams
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Work closely with animators, designers, and programmers to ensure seamless integration of AI behaviors with animations and game mechanics.
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Participate in iterative testing and refinement processes to enhance AI performance and realism.
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Utilizing Game Development Tools
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Employ tools such as Unreal Engine's Blueprint system to script and prototype AI behaviors.
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Use data analysis tools to monitor AI performance and make data-driven adjustments.
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Enhancing Player Experience
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Ensure that AI behaviors contribute to a challenging yet fair gameplay experience.
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Design AI that can adapt to different player skill levels, providing a balanced and engaging challenge.Showbiz JobsUndisputed - Creators of Undisputed
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Required Skills and Qualifications
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Technical Proficiency
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Strong understanding of AI programming concepts and behavior tree architectures.
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Experience with game engines, particularly Unreal Engine 4 or 5.Job Search | Indeed+3LinkedIn+3Dribbble+3
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Analytical Skills
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Ability to analyze gameplay data to inform AI behavior adjustments.
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Proficiency in using tools like Excel for simulation and balancing purposes.LinkedIn
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Communication and Collaboration
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate AI design concepts.
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Experience working in multidisciplinary teams to achieve cohesive game design goals.
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Impact on Undisputed
In Undisputed, the AI/Behavior Designer's work is pivotal in delivering an authentic boxing experience. By crafting AI opponents that mimic real-world boxing tactics and adapt to player strategies, the designer ensures that each match feels dynamic and true to the sport. This level of realism enhances player immersion and satisfaction, contributing to the game's overall success.
To properly fulfill the vision of a realistic/sim boxing video game, Undisputed would benefit from a dedicated and robust AI/Behavior Design Team rather than relying on a single AI generalist or a borrowed systems designer. Given the complexity of boxing behaviors, adaptive AI, and real-world tendencies replication, here is a detailed breakdown of how many AI/Behavior Designers SCI realistically needs—and what each role would be responsible for:
🧠Ideal AI/Behavior Team Structure for Undisputed
🔹 1. Lead AI/Behavior Designer
Purpose: Own the overall AI vision and framework.
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Define high-level AI design philosophy (e.g., sim vs arcade behavior).
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Establish boxer profiles based on real-world tendencies (like Floyd Mayweather’s defense-first approach or Mike Tyson’s aggressive pressure).
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Coordinate between animation, gameplay, and systems teams.
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Ensure long-term scalability of AI systems.
✅ Undisputed needs at least 1.
🔹 2. AI Behavior Designers (x3–5)
Purpose: Build and tune individual boxer AI behaviors, tendencies, and styles.
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Design and refine unique AI profiles for each real or created boxer.
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Work on offense, defense, counterpunching logic, stamina management, and strategic decision-making.
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Tune reactions to movement, feints, clinches, and transitions.
Breakdown Example:
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1 for Offense-focused AI (punch combinations, pressure, ring cutting).
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1 for Defense-focused AI (head movement, block reactions, footwork).
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1 for Ring IQ AI (adapting mid-fight, strategic shifts).
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1 for Boxer-specific AI logic (signature traits, styles).
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1 for CPU vs CPU logic (spectator realism).
✅ Undisputed should have at least 3–5 dedicated AI Behavior Designers.
🔹 3. AI Programmer (x2)
Purpose: Implement and optimize AI logic systems in Unreal Engine (Blueprints + C++).
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Translate design intentions into functional AI trees, state machines, or custom logic systems.
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Optimize behavior trees for performance and responsiveness.
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Integrate AI with animation triggers and physics-based systems (e.g., foot positioning, stamina states).
✅ Undisputed needs at least 2 AI Programmers to support real-time logic.
🔹 4. AI Combat Tester / Analyst (x1–2)
Purpose: Test AI behavior in all contexts and provide data-driven feedback.
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Run longform CPU vs CPU simulations.
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Identify bugs, exploitable behavior, or unrealistic tendencies.
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Track stats like punch accuracy, stamina drain, tendency usage, etc.
✅ Undisputed should have 1–2 QA roles focused specifically on AI behavior.
📊 Total AI/Behavior Staff Needed: 8–10 People
| Role | Count |
|---|---|
| Lead AI Designer | 1 |
| AI Behavior Designers | 3–5 |
| AI Programmers | 2 |
| AI Testers/Analysts | 1–2 |
🎯 Why This Is Necessary
Without a full AI team:
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Boxer behaviors remain generic or repetitive.
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CPU vs CPU fights feel robotic, unrealistic, or unbalanced.
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Boxer traits and styles (orthodox, southpaw, switch, pressure, outboxer, etc.) don’t feel meaningful.
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Career Mode and online mirror matches become stale.
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Realism suffers, and the boxing game feels like a fighting game with gloves.
🔄 Suggested Development Flow
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Phase 1: Establish foundational AI systems (tree logic, responsiveness, stamina modeling).
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Phase 2: Implement archetypes (Pressure Fighter, Counterpuncher, Volume Boxer).
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Phase 3: Integrate real boxer tendencies + sliders.
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Phase 4: Tune CPU vs CPU realism for spectating and offline modes.
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Phase 5: Build AI adaptability (strategy changes mid-fight, learning behavior).
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