Blockchain

The past, present and future of AI in gaming

Published

1 month ago

January 25, 2021

Artificial Intelligence is surely one of the greatest buzzwords – or buzz phrases – of modern times. It inspires as much trepidation as excitement as we try to work out whether it will turn out to be a boon or a threat to our existence. After all, the idea of the machines taking over has long been fear and, today, we seem to be reaching a tipping point where it may become a realistic question to address.

Away from these doom-laden predictions that we may be architects of our own destruction, there’s no denying the fact that the use of Artificial Intelligence is proving to be an invaluable asset. This is particularly true of the gaming world in which it’s starting to play an increasingly important role.

But, while one might assume that AI in gaming is a relatively recent arrival, it has a longer history than many might imagine.

Early days

As long ago as 1952 programmers were experimenting with AI in a game called Nim, named after the computer, called Nimrod on which it was played. The game itself was like a virtual version of Jenga in which players had to remove matchsticks, one by one. It was undoubtedly basic, but it was here that the foundations for future developments in AI were laid.

Chess is a game that has long been beloved by mathematicians and computer scientists. So, it was not much of a surprise that one of the first high profile examples of the use of AI came in the 1990s with the chess-playing computer called Deep Blue.

It was set to challenge the world chess champion, Gary Kasparov, in 1996 over six games with the human player eventually winning 4-2. But Deep Blue became better at playing as time went on and won the rematch the next year 3^1/2-2^1/2. The fact that the computer had become better at chess without any physical human intervention was a source of great excitement.

More recently, a similar experiment was carried out by pitting a poker-playing computer against a number of professionals in a tournament format. Even though poker rules are very different from chess and there is also the need for more intuitive play, this computer also prevailed, again growing stronger and more proficient the more games that it played.

Making the random more random

Looking more specifically at video games themselves, the most common use of AI today is its role in controlling the Non-Playable Characters in games and it has started to allow them to behave in a far more random way than ever before. Using a variety of algorithms, many of which are based on one from the 1990s called the Finite State Machine, these allow for a decision tree to be used which then dictates the action.

The increasing sophistication of the algorithms being used today allows for many more options to be presented and a greater sense of randomness to be apparent in the game. One could argue that this just gives the impression of artificial intelligence being at work, however there is one area in which it is increasingly playing a part.

Because the whole purpose of a game is to be enjoyable and involving playing, AI is now being used to sense the ability of the player in question and to tailor certain games to suit. This increased “playability” is seen by many as the essential ingredient that will see players persist with a game far longer than a rigid one that doesn’t adapt in any way.

However, it’s a fine balance that needs to be struck to avoid games becoming too challenging or too simple to play. It’s perhaps this that is the biggest headache for games developers intending to introduce AI into the programming of a game.

Creating the narrative

One particularly exciting area that is currently being explored is in the field of RPG games like Dungeons and Dragons. The almost infinite nature of a game like this is the perfect format in which to explore whether AI can be used to work effectively in a collaborative, rather than a combative way.

This certainly involves taking on certain human characteristics as well as showing a level of empathic behaviour – tricky even for some people to achieve, let alone a machine. It also requires the ability to both set and follow a narrative and once a machine starts to do that it is on the verge of becoming an autonomous, creative entity.

AI-designed games

This vision of the future is taking shape even now thanks to an AI project called Angelina. This is the brainchild of a developer called Michael Cook who started working on it in 2011. By feeding a limited amount of information into the program, it can be left to its own devices to create a game across a number of genres from puzzles to adventures.

Other game companies like Ubisoft are taking it even further by experimenting how to integrate AI into producing triple-A video game design and working in collaboration with the University of Lyon.

It will obviously be quite a while until AI can be relied upon to create games that are as intricate, involved and nuanced as those designed by humans. But there’s no doubt that we are edging ever closer to that day.

So, before long, the question may not be whether a computer can beat a person, but the other way around.

Blockchain

Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC drops below $50,000 as Wall Street bleeds

TL;DR Breakdown Bitcoin price sheds over 7 percent from yesterday’s $52,500 high BTC/USD pair is currently trading at $46,613 Bitcoin follows in the direction of Wall Street Bitcoin Price Prediction: General price overview Bitcoin price established a solid support near the $43,000 and $44,000 area at the beginning of the week after dropping sharply from […]

Published

21 mins ago

March 5, 2021

Republished by Plato

TL;DR Breakdown

Bitcoin price sheds over 7 percent from yesterday’s $52,500 high
BTC/USD pair is currently trading at $46,613
Bitcoin follows in the direction of Wall Street

Bitcoin Price Prediction: General price overview

Bitcoin price established a solid support near the $43,000 and $44,000 area at the beginning of the week after dropping sharply from its new all-time high of $58,000 last week. The world’s largest cryptocurrency had infiltrated the bottom boundary of a rising price channel during the decline, displaying signs of weakness as February’s bullish momentum came to a halt.

Earlier this week, after a consolidation phase within a falling wedge pattern, Bitcoin price successfully penetrated the upper boundary, sparking a frantic rally that reached $52,500 as of yesterday. This morning, the world’s leading cryptocurrency lost its grip of the $50,000 price level amid a wider liquidation in both equities and the cryptocurrency market.

The flagship cryptocurrency has shed over 7 percent of its price over the last 24 hours and at press time, it is trading at a market price of $46,613. Regardless of the dip, data by Glassnodes indicate that long term Bitcoin holders were stockpiling despite the sell-off. So far, the daily price range is in between $46,300.00 — $48,376.20.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC/USD 1-day chart

Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC drops below $50,000 as Wall Street bleeds 1 — BTC/USD Daily chart: Trading View

After rallying towards $52,500 yesterday, Bitcoin price retraced back to below $50,000, moving below the bottom boundary of an ascending parallel channel. Besides, the $52,500 price level represents the Golden Fibb retracement level of the decline from $58,000 all-time high price and last week’s low of $43,000. As such, Bitcoin price appears to be trading in a bearish market for the short term.

Moreover, Bitcoin’s correlation to the S&P 500 reached a 5-month high this month. Bitcoin has been correlated to traditional financial markets over the last several months and this was evident a few weeks ago when Bitcoin price trailed stocks at close range. The last time Bitcoin and stocks followed each other this closely was back in November last year.

Today, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivered a disheartening speech that resulted in both S&P 500 and NASDAQ to shed about 3 percent of their value. The Fed chief noted that he “would be concerned” by constraining the financial terms as increasing yields on government bonds exert a great deal of pressure on the cost of borrowing. Following in the footsteps of S&P 500 and NASDAQ, Bitcoin price declined sharply and it is still dropping at the time of writing.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Conclusion

The comments by Powell comes amid a raft of mixed predictions by popular analysts on the future of Bitcoin. Bloomberg’s Mike McGlone used historical data to suggest that Bitcoin price is journeying towards $100,000 on March 4. McGlone points out the rising discount for shares in Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust. The discount applies to when the price of Grayscale shares is trading at a lower price than the underlying crypto asset, and it is currently at the level it was during the March 2020 crypto market crash.

Grayscale #Bitcoin Trust Discount May Signal March to $100,000 – Bitcoin’s end of February price disparities on U.S. regulated exchanges portend a firming price foundation, if history is a guide, and are evidence of just how nascent the crypto is. pic.twitter.com/qj6hfTvH8K

— Mike McGlone (@mikemcglone11) March 4, 2021

Crypto Twitter analyst, MasterChangz, tweeted to his followers that the Bitcoin price will hit $200K before we get in June 2021. According to him, the next rally will be towards $77,000 in two weeks time.

Disclaimer. The information provided is not trading advice. Cryptopolitan.com holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Checkout PrimeXBT
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Source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/bitcoin-price-prediction-btc-drops-below-50000/

Blockchain

Analyst tells Tesla to dump Bitcoin for buybacks as shares plunge alongside MSTR’s

Published

27 mins ago

March 5, 2021

Republished by Plato

A former equities CIO of Goldman Sachs drew an strong response on Twitter after suggesting Tesla should sell its Bitcoin and buy back company shares.

The price of TSLA shares have fallen 28% from $863.42 to $621.44, since news broke on Feb. 8 that Tesla had made a $1.5 billion BTC acquisition.

MicroStrategy’s shares have fared even worse in the short term. The company, which is headed by Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor and just completed its latest acquisition of $15 million in BTC on Mar. 3, is now down 50% from its all-time high of $1,315 from Feb. 9.

Tesla’s share market woes are likely due to a number of factors. In early February, it was reported that Tesla had been reprimanded by the Chinese government over quality control issues after receiving consumer complaints. The broader stock market has also experienced volatility, with the S&P 500 down 4.1% in the last 30 days.

But the tweet from longtime Tesla analyst Gary Black, who has several decades of financial management experience, sparked a debate on whether Tesla’s purchase of $1.5 billion in Bitcoin last month had benefited investors.

Tesla stock is now down 28% since buying #Bitcoin as investors signal to @ElonMusk that $1.5 billion was not enough.

— Documenting Bitcoin (@DocumentingBTC) March 4, 2021

“I don’t want them buying back stock,” said Twitter user Techgnostik. “I want them investing in growth, and making another billion on their BTC position.”

Black countered by suggesting TSLA would also draw inclusion by more fund managers with a share buyback program, considering it of greater value to the investor than buying BTC “with excess cash.”

Some users on Twitter agreed that a stock buyback seemed to be a more appropriate use of funds, while others felt too much attention was being paid to what Tesla did with 8% of their cash reserves.

.@Tesla‘s mission is to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” It is not about catering to the mercurial whims of short-term traders in $TSLA.https://t.co/93hr25iJ27 https://t.co/eJReXuvPo4

— AMuchBetterFace (@AMuchBetterFace) March 4, 2021

It’s not easy to ascertain the impact buying Bitcoin has had on a company’s bottom line. While MicroStrategy’s share price has halved in a month, shares of MSTR are still up 340%, (from $146.63 to $645.66), since the company announced its first purchase of 21,454 BTC on Aug. 11, 2020. The price of BTC is currently up 310% from the same date.

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Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/analyst-tells-tesla-to-dump-bitcoin-for-buybacks-as-shares-plunge-alongside-mstr-s

Blockchain

Experts divided on BTC predictions: Bullish or super bullish?

Published

1 hour ago

March 5, 2021

Republished by Plato

Despite the current battle between Bitcoin bulls and bears around the $50,000 price mark — and an 8.7% pullback over the past 24 hours — a raft of analysts and commentators have got out their crystal balls to tip a glittering future for Bitcoin prices.

On Mar. 4, Senior Commodity Strategist for Bloomberg Intelligence Mike McGlone pointed to historical data to suggest that Bitcoin is on the way to $100,000.

McGlone’s logic revolves around the growing discount for shares in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust which is at the same level as last year’s Black Thursday collapse. The discount refers to when shares in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust trade for less than the value of the underlying Bitcoin (normally they trade at a premium).

Looking at historical data, said that

Grayscale #Bitcoin Trust Discount May Signal March to $100,000 – Bitcoin’s end of February price disparities on U.S. regulated exchanges portend a firming price foundation, if history is a guide, and are evidence of just how nascent the crypto is. pic.twitter.com/qj6hfTvH8K

— Mike McGlone (@mikemcglone11) March 4, 2021

Twitter user “Lee Hendricks” wasn’t convinced, suggesting the catalyst for Grayscale’s discount could be the result of pressure from upcoming ETFs and other crypto funds. (Although that’s arguably bullish too.)

The Bloomberg strategist isn’t the only expert with high expectations for BTC, with influencer and YouTuber Lark Davis stating on Mar. 4 that “we are just now past the first major price wave,” with two more, larger waves to come.

This #bitcoin bull run has barely even started yet! We are just now past the first major price wave. Get ready for wave 2. pic.twitter.com/kRzAqlB2E8

— Lark Davis (@TheCryptoLark) March 4, 2021

On March 2, technical analyst Kaleo posted a chart predicting BTC will hit $100,000 near the start of April this year.

It’s a follow-up on his “Bitcoin Halving Reward Era Price” analysis chart two years ago predicting the price would reach $200,000 around mid-2021. He tweeted two weeks ago that he still has faith in it:

“It is by far the most accurate, long-term chart prediction I’ve ever seen for Bitcoin… $BTC will hit $200K+ this cycle.”

Another analyst who goes by the Twitter name MasterChangz, told his 10,000 followers he believes Bitcoin will hit the $200,000 mark even earlier than mid-2021, potentially at the start of April. The next rise, he said, is to $77,000 over the next two weeks.

Ok this bull run fractal is become more insanely accurate by the day.

I’m literally making bank of trading it, its like a cheat sheet.

$77,000 next up.#BTC pic.twitter.com/JJS4Huu6ri

— (@MasterChangz) March 4, 2021

Other predictions are even bolder with Kraken CEO Jesse Powell stating the cryptocurrency could reach $1 million or even “infinity” in a Bloomberg television interview on Mar. 4, adding that it will eventually become the world’s currency.

“We can only speculate, but when you measure it in terms of dollars, you have to think it’s going to infinity,” he said. “The true believers will tell you that it’s going all the way to the moon, to Mars and eventually, will be the world’s currency.”

Kraken Head of Growth Dan Held, echoed this prediction on Mar. 5, claiming on Twitter that:

“Bitcoin is more likely to hit $1,000,000 than $0.”

Even past Bitcoin skeptics are becoming crypto converts with investment firm Sanders Morris Harris CEO George Ball admitting to Yahoo Finance on Mar. 4 that he believes cryptocurrencies are now “attractive” as a “small part” of any portfolio.

“With the cryptocurrencies, I think there is a fundamental hydra-headed shift that makes them attractive as a part, a small part, of almost any portfolio,” Ball said.

Despite this wave of optimism, history also suggests March could be a bloody month, with Bitcoin’s price falling across the month in six of the past nine years by an average of 5.8%. The most recent of these occurred last year on Black Thursday when the price plunged by 50%. That said, the second-biggest monthly candle in BTC history happened in March 2013, when the price shot up 179%.

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Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/experts-divided-on-btc-predictions-bullish-or-super-bullish