Using a training camp with Genetic Programming to evolve Ms Pac-Man agents

This paper investigates using a training camp in conjunction with Genetic Programming in the evolution of Ms Pac-Man playing agents. We measure the amount of effort, time and resources required to run the training camp successfully. The approach is compared with standard GP. The results indicate that better and more stable performance can be achieved using the training camp method at the expense of greater manual effort in the design of the training scenarios. However, in addition to the better results, the training camp also provides more detailed insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each controller. © 2011 IEEE.