Why are Peeps so dumb? (RCT3)

[FantasyWatersDude]

Why is it that on RCT3 the peeps continuously walk around the same area for hours?? they walk down a path, turn around and walk back the other way... then turn around again and repeat the process... so that leads me to the question.. why are they so dumb?

[Wally]

poor logic and pathfinder routines in the AI..

Oops, forgot a silly answer. They are actually accurately simulating the behavior of typical Disneyland guests.

[Morrigoon]

Nah, if they did that, they would crowd the bathroom exits and inexplicably stop in the only open part of a pathway

[FantasyWatersDude]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Nah, if they did that, they would crowd the bathroom exits and inexplicably stop in the only open part of a pathway

haha, yes.. that would replicate most amusment parks.

[Monorail Man]

Originally Posted by FantasyWatersDude

why are they so dumb?

Frontier once did an interesting chat-session on the Peep AI of RCT3, and it's fairly interesting:

Basically, the group AI of RCT3 calls for the 'worst peep' in the group. So if all the group is happy but one peep, the group attempts to meet the needs of that one group (restrooms, food, drink, etc). Since they are always attempting to find the needs of that one guest, it's important to have food, drink, restrooms everywhere. Plus, you have to remember that a strong peep AI would take up several CPU cycles for each decision. Times this by hundreds (or thousands), and you could max out your CPU on peep AI alone.

Also, since Peeps' needs degrade over time, it's always a good idea to make all the peeps exit the park. Just use the Group Attraction Control panel to close all the attractions, food stalls, pools, and animal viewing areas. Then, close the park. All the existing peeps will leave. Then, re-open everything, including the park gates. Since the amount of peeps is less than the 'target peep amount' (more on this later), you will get a surge of peeps to the front gate, until the number levels out to a little under what you had before.

The 'target peep amount' of peeps is calculated on several factors:
1. How much 'stuff' you have in your park.
2. How much that 'stuff' costs, and it's ride stats.
3. How high your Park Rating is.
4. Subtracts for untidy areas, broken rides, and dangerous rides.
5. How fast 'peeps' are added to the 'target peep amount', this is customizable in a custom scenario.
6. A temporary jump is added when you do advertisting promotions. Since this is only temporary, it's not a good long term solution to keeping peeps in the park.

There's a base value of peeps added to the 'target peep amount' value for each attraction (pool, food stall, etc.) you add to the park, and scenery/paths increases this amount as well (but much smaller). A good indication if you're doing well, is a stedy flow of peeps into the park. If at all you have a time when there's only peeps leaving, and no new one's coming in, then you have a problem. Your 'target peep amount' has dropped below the current amount, and there's no new peeps coming in. This is why you can have all your guests leave, and then re-open the park, and have a whole stream of peeps enter the park.

It's much more complicated, because the 'target peep amount' also accounts for certain family rides, and the types of guests spawned (family, couple, large group).

[Sambo]

If you think the RCT3 peep AI is dumb - Consider RCT2...

There are no group interactions and the peeps can mope around for hours tired, wanting to go home, and can't find the exit - when it is only a couple of tiles away! There are line of sight issues where peeps get stuck on paths that do not directly piont to where they want to go. They will get stuck unable to backtrack and go around the corner to get on a main path. Even better - there is the peep AI bug where if you have paths that are many tiles wide - some peeps will just go around in circles unable to break out of the cycle.

Individual peeps in RCT3 have none of these issues.

The RCT3 peep group behavior leaves a lot to be desired - but the stupidity of the RCT2 peeps is legendary.

[disneytim]

Why are Peeps so dumb?

Because they have marshmallows for brains.

[Aladdin]

Originally Posted by disneytim

Because they have marshmallows for brains.

but who's dumber, chicks or bunnies?

[Disney Wrassler]

I honestly had a peep that walked on water once .

Yeah, they're dumb .

[FantasyWatersDude]

Originally Posted by Disney Wrassler

I honestly had a peep that walked on water once .

Yeah, they're dumb .

yes, that has happened to me before also.... sometimes they will just wonder off a pathway and end up in the middle of a field! and from time to time, say when I am riding a ride, I will see a peep walking in mid air... I thought for sure I had david blane walking around my park.

[FantasyWatersDude]

Originally Posted by Monorail Man

Frontier once did an interesting chat-session on the Peep AI of RCT3, and it's fairly interesting:

Basically, the group AI of RCT3 calls for the 'worst peep' in the group. So if all the group is happy but one peep, the group attempts to meet the needs of that one group (restrooms, food, drink, etc). Since they are always attempting to find the needs of that one guest, it's important to have food, drink, restrooms everywhere. Plus, you have to remember that a strong peep AI would take up several CPU cycles for each decision. Times this by hundreds (or thousands), and you could max out your CPU on peep AI alone.

Also, since Peeps' needs degrade over time, it's always a good idea to make all the peeps exit the park. Just use the Group Attraction Control panel to close all the attractions, food stalls, pools, and animal viewing areas. Then, close the park. All the existing peeps will leave. Then, re-open everything, including the park gates. Since the amount of peeps is less than the 'target peep amount' (more on this later), you will get a surge of peeps to the front gate, until the number levels out to a little under what you had before.

The 'target peep amount' of peeps is calculated on several factors:
1. How much 'stuff' you have in your park.
2. How much that 'stuff' costs, and it's ride stats.
3. How high your Park Rating is.
4. Subtracts for untidy areas, broken rides, and dangerous rides.
5. How fast 'peeps' are added to the 'target peep amount', this is customizable in a custom scenario.
6. A temporary jump is added when you do advertisting promotions. Since this is only temporary, it's not a good long term solution to keeping peeps in the park.

There's a base value of peeps added to the 'target peep amount' value for each attraction (pool, food stall, etc.) you add to the park, and scenery/paths increases this amount as well (but much smaller). A good indication if you're doing well, is a stedy flow of peeps into the park. If at all you have a time when there's only peeps leaving, and no new one's coming in, then you have a problem. Your 'target peep amount' has dropped below the current amount, and there's no new peeps coming in. This is why you can have all your guests leave, and then re-open the park, and have a whole stream of peeps enter the park.

It's much more complicated, because the 'target peep amount' also accounts for certain family rides, and the types of guests spawned (family, couple, large group).

wow.... that seems to require a lot of work on my theme parks.... lol... thanks for all of the info on the subject!

[Lost Boy]

I get a peep just standing for hours looking up at something. It is usually next to a hight ride but sometimes they just stand and look. If they are holding a balloon, they will raise and lower the balloon.

I have had some peeps in my new Park walking on the lake or walking in the air. When I click on them it saying they are queueing for the Steam Train which is way across the Park and is at a very high level. I pick them up and drop them at the train station and the stand and scratch their heads and it shows they are confused, or thinking, or waiting for group. They were alone in midair in the middle of the Park. I hope they find their group! Sometimes they are very funny to watch.

[Sambo]

Originally Posted by FantasyWatersDude

yes, that has happened to me before also.... sometimes they will just wonder off a pathway and end up in the middle of a field! and from time to time, say when I am riding a ride, I will see a peep walking in mid air... I thought for sure I had david blane walking around my park.

I have had that happen! Here's my David Blaine...

[SCUBAbe]

not totally related, but is roller coaster 2 or 3 better? I saw both in the store and I thought I heard bad things abotu one of the versions, but could not recall which one....

[FantasyWatersDude]

Originally Posted by Sambo

I have had that happen! Here's my David Blaine...

haha, great pic!