Games like chess, go and poker have fallen to Artificial Intelligence. They have been shown to be shallow in that they can be overcome by pre-quantum computers running finite programs on finite computing power. Why do humans do anything then? Well, go chess and poker lack something. They lack a sense of humor, they lack culture, they lack puns and impish delight. Some modern games have that delight and culture built into them, though. Fluxx, for instance is a card game that contains a great number of cultural information within it, even though it is a strategic game. Better still Plants versus Zombies Heroe’s edition is a card game where the images and descriptions of each card contains little tidbits of our culture that can be summarized, described with keywords and incorporated into the AI that plays the game. I think this is worth our time because I want the words computers might coin. A computer might be able to learn a concept that transcends a particular game, and PvZ H allows for multiple layers of strategy to ignite that process. One algorithm could propose a strategy and associate that strategy with a key word and a selection of cards. Perhaps using a program we could develop a new jargon for game theorists that don’t want to jettison their sense of humor and culture at the altar of calculating moves, strategy and nothing else. Moreover any true fan of a game proposes variants and good AI could help us design a new edition of PvZ. I am convinced the makers of the game are done writing and illustrating cards for a new edition, it has been years since they through everything includintg the kitchen sink at the game. Instead of accepting that it is over, though, and instead of designing cards as mere mortals, perhaps we could make an AI that could communicate with us while we organize thoughts on strategies and variants.

can we program a sense of humor that cares about gameplay? A system that could help us craft an even and fair expansion? Perhaps I’m just trying to take my years of plawying PvZ and trying to make it worth something, but if we took this project up, I believe we would be able to discover many new concepts and perhaps create a community invested in an AI that doesn’t turn a blind eye to culture.

Could you help? I’m willing to catalogue each card with its description suggested uses (from my perspective and the games) and a succinct description with keywords that will allow more interwoven analysis and gameplay. Contact me if you are a programmer weho shares an interest in this game, please.