This paper proposes environment design in the life simulation game The Sims as a novel platform and challenge for testing divergent search algorithms. In this domain, which includes a minimal viability criterion, the goal is to furnish a house with objects that satisfy the physical needs of a simulated agent. Importantly, the large number of objects available to the player (whether human or automated) affords a wide variety of solutions to the underlying design problem. Empirical studies in a novel open source simulator called SimSim investigate the ability of novelty-based evolutionary algorithms to effectively generate viable environment designs.
@article{arxiv.2008.11258,
title = {Say "Sul Sul!" to SimSim, A Sims-Inspired Platform for Sandbox Game AI},
author = {Megan Charity and Dipika Rajesh and Rachel Ombok and L. B. Soros},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2008.11258},
year = {2020}
}