Applications of Stochastic Processes to Modular Game Design

Abstract

The we characterize our approach to game construction as modular for the reason that stochastic processes and Markov chains lend themselves naturally to being used to represent the evolution of a game “board”, so speak, from one state to another. Once a starting Markov chain of a simple set of rules is established, we would be able to arbitrarily complicate the existing rules through the addition of new states to the chain, in a modular way. It leads naturally to all manner of possibilities for conveniently semi-automating the mechanical implementation of additional game rules. And this is of course at the heart of our project—whether or not the process of going from planning to finished product for game development can be plausibly streamlined through a thoughtful application of various stochastic processes.

Faculty Mentor: Cristina Anton

Department: Mathematics