Relevant Information as a formalised approach to evaluate game mechanics

We present a new approach to use adaptive AI and Information Theory to aid the evaluation of game mechanics. Being able to evaluate the core game mechanics early during production is useful to improve the quality of a game, and ultimately, player satisfaction. A current problem with automated game evaluation via AI is to define measurable parameters that correlate to the quality of the game mechanics. We apply the Information Theory based concept of “Relevant Information” to this problem and argue that there is a relation between enjoyment related game-play properties and Relevant Information for an AI playing the game. We also demonstrate, with a simple game implementation, a.) how an adaptive AI can be used to approximate the Relevant Information, b.) how those measurable numerical values relate to certain game design flaws c.) how this knowledge can be used to improve the game.