Strategy Games: The Components of A Worthy Opponent

What distinguishes a good AI opponent from a bad one in the eyes of players? To answer this question, hundreds of opinions were analysed, as expressed by strategy-game players in forums; from these, a grounded theory was formed. It was found that the AI’s role as an opponent in a game shapes player expectations, and that not breaking these is instrumental to players’ enjoyment. The expectations include: keeping a tension between the player and AI; maintaining a level playing field; and more subtle expectations involving closure and the ability to rectify behaviour. The nature of these expectations are explored, as well as how they might be upheld.