Originally posted by Hobo Misanthropus:

They don't need to be intelligent, they just need to be scripted properly.

Exactly. Just a simple script... For example, just to have 3-4 max tiers of camps. When player discover camps at first time - they are first or second level, but during the game they will build it up to 3 or even 4 tier, and maybe can recover destroyed ones and upgrade them. Maybe add some interesting stuff - like sending raids to nearby player base, like other scripted encounters. World of Valheim feels pretty lonely (no visible social interractions between mobs), nobody else chopping trees, build anything, even growing grain by Fulings is not real, because they not re-seed it or make new fields for seeding).

It`s not too difficult really, but can make game much more alive, because creatures like Fulings are supposed to be intelligent, but now they are just other brainless mobs. Maybe devs just want to be that way, but it would be much more intereting to feel that world around you is somehow evolving too.

Additional scripts, plus a life simulating engine that interfaces with the rendition engine (but I don't know anything about Unity). Something more elaborated than just idle - patrol - scout - attack.

I have no clues about the additional size in files and required time in development, not knowing anything about Unity, but I don't see how it wouldn't be doable. Looking at other games can only lead to max requirements (for example, Stellaris has about 10 MB of scripts to animate a small galaxy (20 MB, including events management), in about 1000 files: that's several 100,000 lines),

To simulate intelligence, I believe that neural networks are not necessay. Fuzzy logic or ponderated random decisional trees can be used to introduce some variety and chaos in otherwise scripted detailed actions.

Nope they don't. And there is no way to make intelligent creatures in a game without using neural networks to train their behaviour. And even then I don't think you could make them really intelligent. If a human fights a Gjall they can tell the difference between accidentally hitting them or taking advantage of the fight to kill them, Dvergr can't and it's nearly impossible to make them able to do that.

Originally posted by dirktoot:

Nope they don't. And there is no way to make intelligent creatures in a game without using neural networks to train their behaviour. And even then I don't think you could make them really intelligent. If a human fights a Gjall they can tell the difference between accidentally hitting them or taking advantage of the fight to kill them, Dvergr can't and it's nearly impossible to make them able to do that.

? A literal mod for Fallout 4 did this.

They don't need to be intelligent, they just need to be scripted properly.

One day Biology will make a breakthrough and our NPC's will have working neural networks. We can only wait.