Editing Crowd simulation (section)

=== Rule-based AI ===
[[File:MaslowsHierarchyOfNeeds.svg|alt=Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs|thumb|Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs]]
In rule-based AI, virtual agents follow scripts: "if this happens, do that". This is a good approach to take if agents with different roles are required, such as a main character and several background characters. This type of AI is usually implemented with a hierarchy, such as in [[Maslow's hierarchy of needs]], where the lower the need lies in the hierarchy, the stronger it is.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

For example, consider a student walking to class who encounters an explosion and runs away. The theory behind this is initially the first four levels of his needs are met, and the student is acting according to his need for self-actualization. When the explosion happens his safety is threatened which is a much stronger need, causing him to act according to that need.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

This approach is scalable, and can be applied to crowds with a large number of agents. Rule-based AI, however, does have some drawbacks. Most notably the behavior of the agents can become very predictable, which may cause a crowd to behave unrealistically.{{fact|date=February 2025}}