AI, AI, AI

AI AI AI

AI = Artificial Intelligence LLM = Large Language Model Gen AI = Generative AI (usually in the context of image generation)

People generally use the terms AI and LLM interchangeably, so that's how we'll discuss AI in this article. On the other hand, generative AI is usually the phrase used to discuss prompt-based image generation.

AI in game dev is a hot button topic with polarized views, at least as seen on social media. So, I wanted to give transparency here in case your engagement for this game needs that clarity.

HexSum does not operate as

• LLM-driven
• LLM-powered
• LLM-run

The CPU in Versus mode is a CPU and deliberately called that instead of AI. There is no LLM driving its decisions. The CPU chooses its paths based on a semi-greedy heuristic that waffles between long and short paths. It doesn't even engage in classical adversarial strategies like min-max. It's not trained on anything. I did it this so that the CPU is beatable, but also still a challenge (it will win from time to time).

The puzzle generation is not run by an LLM. There is no prompting mechanism nor LLM technology that creates the puzzles you see. The LLMs can't do it for starters as it is too complicated and also because puzzle generation requires a guarantee of full solvability which is out of scope for LLM technolgoy. I designed the algorithm to generate puzzles.

There is no online or offline learning of your game play or preferences. Puzzles are generated through a random process. That random process is the same process for all players.

There is no chatbot on the frontend nor on the backend.

I did use code assist technologies like Claude for wiring things together. Most of the development is in my bailiwick and actual technical ability, but some is outside and I welcomed the extension.

The badge images are Gen AI made. I asked around a lot of folks how they felt about my designs vs gen AI ones. Broadly, the gen AI ones were preferred. One person said they liked the simplicity of the path curve designs. I didn't get the opinions of the entire world. So undoubtedly, there will be sampling bias based on my reach. The graphic designer / illustrator I consult and work with also green-lit the Gen AI use. I do have simple path curve designs based on some hand-drawn designs I came up with as initial placeholders. If there's enough clamor for the "simple" ones then I'll work to get them in as a toggle.

I hope this gives you clarity.