Storytelling and games have a strange relationship. On the one hand, interminable cut-scenes can distract from gameplay and rigid storylines can constrain it. On the other hand, without some kind of narrative context, most games would be abstract and meaningless, and in the best of games characters and storylines add an immense amount to the experience.

Building on the incredible success of last year's record-setting event, AiGameDev.com is proud to announce the program of the fourth annual Game/AI Conference in Paris, co-organized with the CNAM where the event is held. This year's conference takes place on June 23rd and 24th 2011, following a symposium about Action/Combat Shooters on June 22nd. The schedule blends invited sessions from top AI developers from industry as well as tutorials, reviews and R&D oriented sessions.

Would you like to take a break from your current job in the games industry, spend 6 to 12 months working on cutting edge R&D about artificial intelligence, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world? If that sounds appealing to you, then a Game AI Sabbatical at AiGameDev.com may be the perfect thing for you!

It's been in the pipeline for a while now and in the back of our minds for even longer, but today is the day where everything flips upside down... From now on, every online masterclass or interview (RSS) we organize during the weekends will be completely free to attend live! Read the rest of this page to find out what you'll be doing on Sundays henceforth.

Why not celebrate Valentine this year by inviting your spouse or partner to Paris in June? You'll attend the Game/AI Conference on Thusday 23rd and Friday 24th, then meet up on Saturday and Sunday for some tourism and romantic dinners in one of the most beautiful cities in the world? It's the perfect time of year for that!

We're obviously biased, but at AiGameDev.com we believe Game AI is one of the most fun and exciting careers you can have as a programmer! As Jeff Orkin, Lead AI Engineer at Monolith Productions behind F.E.A.R. and NO ONE LIVES FOREVER, puts it:

Building on the incredible success of last year's sell-out event, AiGameDev.com is proud to announce the program of the third annual Game AI Conference in Paris, co-organized with the CNAM where the event is held. This year's conference takes place on June 23rd and 24th 2010, following a workshop about character animation on June 22nd. The schedule blends invited sessions from top AI developers from industry as well as tutorials, reviews and R&D oriented sessions.

The Global Game Jam will take place worldwide this weekend. For those of you participating that are looking for a challenge, fresh ideas to distinguish your game, moral support or help for building your AI, then the AI Marmalade is for you!

Those of you who stay up-to-date with AiGameDev.com behind the scenes (on Twitter or in the Forums) know that we've been preparing the 2010 edition of the Paris Game AI Conference for many months already. Organizing last year's event entirely was one of the most rewarding moments of my career, but at the same time it was probably the most difficult thing Petra (Mrs. AiGameDev.com) & I had done so far professionally!