UnrealArt -- generated by bots in Unreal Tournament

by James Ransom-Wiley { Aug 9th 2005 at 3:30PM }

UnrealArt

Alison Mealey has created a project called UnrealArt that uses bots, custom maps, and a slew of other technical processes to produce, well, what you see above. Let's let her explain it:

"Each image represents about 30 mins of gameplay in which the computers AI plays against itself, there are 20-25 bots playing each game. The Bots play custom maps I create. Each map has been pathed so that the bots have a rough idea of where to go in order to create the image I want. I log the position (X,Y,Z) of each player each second using a mutator I created, I also log the position of a death. I then run my own code written in Processing to create postscript files of that match. Every image represents 1 full game, and the position of the dots or lines reflects the position of a player at a given time."

Alison's work will be featured in the CoEDD graduate exhibition in Huddersfield (UK) on August 13th. She hopes to have the entire live process on display. Check it out if you're in the area.

[Thanks, Chris]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Cletus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Geeze. Can't you think of a better way to use that time and knowledge to actually make something of value? Unless those things are selling for thousands of dollars, you need to get a life.

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

"Geeze. Can't you think of a better way to use that time and knowledge to actually make something of value? Unless those things are selling for thousands of dollars, you need to get a life."

Because money is everything, isn't it? After we get old and die, I don't think what we do that you consider "of value" is going to matter very much.

That's pretty neat. I don't really understand what she's doing, but the end result looks awesome.

Cletus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Value can also mean something of use--something that betters the world we live in--not necessarily monetary.

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

And art doesn't better the world we live in? If nothing was made that wasn't purely practical, the world would be pretty dull. Besides, aside from creating this, I'm sure the person who did it learned something in the process. While it may not be valuable to you or I, that doesn't mean it's not of personal value.

hackerjoe @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

i have no idea what shes trying to say and i agree with Cletus. maybe she could use that thing to cure ADD ^_^

hackerjoe @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

if she wanted to make art that was useful she should make art for a video game. she obviously has programming talent

OtakuCODE @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Is she single and would she mind moving to the USA?

Projects like these are the kinds of things that really turn me on. And no, I'm not kidding.

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Basically, what I think she did was create her own Unreal Tournament 2004 maps and have bots play on them, using a program to log the positions and deaths of all of the characters, creating an overhead (maybe? I don't really know) view of the movement and death of the characters, creating a sort of effect that looks like a bunch of paintbrush strokes colliding together. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but the end result is pretty cool. Not practical, but I still stand by my statement that not everything should be practical. Afterall, if everything was purely practical, we probably wouldn't be on this gaming blog in the first place.

hackerjoe @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

hey Eskimo Bob do you think it was bots like the scrible one on hack a day or do you think it made a digital image?

Cletus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

The more I think about this, the dumber it seems. Come on, I could make an exact replica using Microsoft's Paint.

omg wtfg @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Maybe she was BORED. You ever consider that?

Captain Skull @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

it's an exercise in programming knowlege and computer science. that's it's purpose.

Art requires a soul to create.

brett @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Cletus,

Yes you could make a replica in MS paint, but could you create an original image that looked that cool? Probably not, unless you were a very artistic and creative person.

Cletus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Well, Brett...FYI, I am somewhat artistic. One, I could create an original image that looked cool. Two, if you call that piece of crap at the top of this page original and cool, I think anyone could create an image like that.

Phil @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

I put you to the challenge of making such an image. You can even use PS. I bet it will look like crap, unlike her's.

vladimir cole @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Cletus - let's see what you got.

Cletus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

I know I'm gonna hear it for saying this, but do you guys seriously think I have the time to make something that elaborate? I guess the one thing this "program" has on me is that it only takes 30 minutes. I'll give her that one. But between balancing work and getting ready to go back to school in less than a week, I'm gonna have to sit this one out. There. Say what you want. Let me have it--I don't care.

Colin @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

I like art that I think looks cool.

That looks pretty cool. Not the coolest I've seen, but cool enough. I like it. The story behind it is kinda neat too.

cletus is a tool but doesnt even know it @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Hi,

My name is Cletus. I call myself an "artist." Of course, only things which meet my definition of art can be considered cool, original, or interesting.

But I have school in a week so I don't care what you say anyway. Toodles!!

-Cletus

JPRacer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

The final result looks good, but it's what involved behind the creation process that I think is great.

As for weird art, read this... A man give himself an enema with blood (his own) and expelled the blood on a wall. He received a prize and money for his "creative talent"...

youallsuck @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

This is brilliant. Using a videogame as a paintbrush. That is what she is doing.

That said, there are a lot of ignoramuses here.

That guy who said he could do an the same thing with a paint program, you are totally missing the point, and that is why you couldn't do it, because you don't understand art. You sir, are not and artist.

Art is a process as well as a result. Art is a creative idea. And yes, there is soul in the creative idea. It doesn't matter how you achieve it.

Grow up people.

braingasm @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Rocketboy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Ahh.. the old "It's Art Because I Said So" argument... Sorry. When everything becomes art, nothing becomes art. And this is a perfect example.

Cletus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

Okay, let's all jump on the attack Cletus bandwagon. I never called myself an artist. People's opinion of art differ. What I may see as art, someone else might see it as a piece of crap and vice versa (as is this case).

Oh, and I'd like to thank braingasm for making me realize that I play too many videogames, especially since he knows my daily routine. Thank you for saving me from a potentially life-endangering addiction.

Assholes.

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM

=P Cletus didn't say anything wrong. He just said that the art was mediocre and that whoever made it was wasting their time. He's entitled to his opinion, and we're entitled to ours.

Cletus: I think braingasm's comment was an attempt to point out a contradiction. Since you said that this person needs to "think of a better way to use that time and knowledge to actually make something of value," braingasm was pointing out that you play video games (which isn't necessarily true, but it is pretty safe to assume, considering this is a video game blog), which isn't exactly the most productive activity.