A First Step to Specify Arcade Games as Multi-agent Systems

The lack of formalities in the development of video games is one of the main obstacles for the incorporation of new professionals to the field. Although there are general proposals to describe and specify video games with techniques such as Game Design Document or Game Description Language, these are usually aimed at implementations in predetermined media, which determines the game specification from the outset to its implementation in the selected platform. This paper proposes a method for the definition, specification and implementation of a video game based on multi-agent systems, where its elements, functionalities and interactions are established independently of the platform used for its development. To prove its validity and capabilities, the classic arcade game Frogger has been used as a demonstrator. This game has been defined in its general form and subsequently implemented on three different platforms following the same specification. Each of these implementations has been made using different engines, languages and programming techniques, but in any case, meeting the requirements of the game and multi-agent systems.