Artificial Intelligence - review by Jason Lund (Anio)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a 6 page PDF (including 1 full colour cover page and 1 OGL page) written by Brad Alan for Offworld Endeavors. AI brings the concept of artificial intelligences to the D20 Modern and Future games and provides several means of incorporating them into a game.
The product jumps straight into a brief description before providing statistics for a playable LA +0 artificial intelligence. This new 'race' is aimed at being used in conjunction with a virtual reality network (VRnet) of PL 6+ but is easily adaptable to less futuristic concepts and could make an interesting addition to a D20 Modern game as a one-off, self-aware computer program or even as an interesting take on a technologically created character. While the AI isn't the monolithic Skynet entity from the Terminator movies, it could certainly be an exciting villain in the vein of Shodan from the System Shock computer games of the 1990s or work for an inventive DM in an off-beat game involving high tech, investigation and, if sufficient technology exists, as the driving force behind a robot character.
As a bodiless entity, the artificial intelligence operates as a Core Program and a Working Program that are jointly capable of full round actions or, as separate entities, a partial action each. Despite being a bodiless entity, the artificial intelligence can connect to computers, robots, vehicles, mecha and even starships, thus greatly improving its versatility over the singular robotic counterpart. It even has an ability known as Telecommuting that allows the artificial intelligence to transfer itself to far distant computers via communications networks and allows it to potentially control devices separated by great distances.
I really like this race because it brings a common concept of sci-fi, the artificial intelligence, to the D20 game without forcing the concept to deal with unwieldy mechanics or a narrowly preconceived pigeonhole of the author’s devise. There definitely is room to move here.
Following the artificial intelligence 'race', the PDF tackles equipment. AI provides five new pieces of equipment ranging from the PL 6 to PL 8. These new items are as follows:
Manipulator Gloves: gloves that allow a user to freely interact with the VRnet,
Hawking Cube: a compacted cube the size of a baseball that provides a base for an artificial intelligence to interact with computers, communications systems and other technological devices
Neural Interface Helmet: a helmet that allows direct mental contact between the wearer and the VRnet,
Brain Cube: a portable computer cube designed to house an artificial intelligence and give it a range of communication options, and finally
Mecha Remote Pilot System: a reasonably self-explanatory piece of equipment that allows someone to remotely pilot a mecha.
Each of these devices is a simple but sensible extension for the artificial intelligence race or characters that regularly interact with either mecha or the VRnet. While there are thematic synergies between the new equipment and the artificial intelligence, I would have preferred to see the author continuing to focus upon the artificial intelligence by making all of the new devices a means of extending the options for the race.
AI also provides new uses for four pre-existing technological devices, including the Driver Autocomp (PL5), the Neural Computer Link (PL 8), the Robolink and Remote Control Unit (PL 5) and the Starship Autopilot System (PL 8). The Robolink and Remote Control Units particularly stand out as useful for artificial intelligence characters that are going to be physically involved in a D20 Modern or D20 Future game and DCs are included for taking over robots through a variety of communication systems.
Immediately after the equipment is a small racial template called the Netborn. A note is given advising that "The Netborn template is based on, but is different than, a template originally created as Open Content by Adamant Entertainment in a product called Netspace." This racial template is based upon the premise that humans or aliens who spend a substantial part of their lives connected to a virtual reality network via a neural connection will inevitably change. This template provides Ability Score changes for Intelligence and Strength as well as giving class-skill access to computer related skills.
I will mention it again: the product is titled Artificial Intelligence. With the product’s current title and even given its beginning, I expected a focus upon artificial intelligences and not the provision of races, templates and equipment related to the VRnet. Had this been named VRnet, my expectations would have been different and I would likely have given this a better rating for overall cohesion. Clearly there is a breakdown between product title and personal expectations.
There are some editing errors, including the substitution of blah cube for Brain Cube in several instances, and the layout is a basic, unwieldy single column format that reduces readability. Aside from these areas, the PDF looks quite snazzy. The front cover is a bold yellow and black striped computer terminal in the fashion of some construction equipment, with a green computer screen showing an androgynous computer face and a series of red keypad buttons next to a speaker box. Only one other piece of artwork is included in this small PDF and is a photograph of a woman's face superimposed upon a green computer screen background. The small size of the product has not precluded the publisher from including full bookmarking.
Summary
While there is a sense of the author having put together bits and pieces rather than working towards a cohesive whole, this PDF is a good idea-seeding product and could easily find use in a D20 Modern or D20 Future game. While the layout is simple and there are some editing errors, everything is generally clear and easy to read without being cluttered with unnecessary artwork or borders. The new items and mechanics are balanced and flavourful and should fit nicely into a DM's arsenal of technological villains or provide for a unique player character. I would give this product a 3 1/2 star rating, but drop it back to a 3 star rating for editing errors and the lack of cohesion. Despite this, the product shows a lot of promise and I am looking forward to future products from this new entrant to the D20 PDF market.
Review by Jason Lund (Anio)
