Patrick Hruby over at ESPN’s Page 2 has a fascinating article about artificial intelligence and advancements in computer-generated graphics. Taking a cue from the newly released Madden ‘06 for the XBOX 360 Patrick addresses the all too lifelike graphics of the newer players… the problem is that they’re getting too real. If you’ve played these games you know what he’s talking about. The graphics of the players has steadily increased to the point of an almost lifelike appearance. Something is missing though, perhaps it’s the eyes, the way Donovan McNabb’s lips move when he calls an audible… something is missing. Patrick points out a theory by Japanese roboticist, Masahiro Mori, something called the Uncanny Valley.

This is the theory that we emphathize with and emotionally respond positively to things that we can find human qualities in, the more qualities the better our emotional response… to a point. When they start to resemble humans too much, we start to focus on what makes them non-human. So while the old Madden ‘94 game is cute and nostalgic, the new one seems cold on some level, or just not quite alive.

Perhaps this is in some part because of the imago dei. Maybe those of us whom were created by God have an innate sense for when another “human” has not been created by the Creator, but by a creature.

That being said… what they’re doing these days is pretty impressive “cold” or not. Check out the new Madden videos and see for yourself. The players now watch the ball into their hands, they breathe harder when they’re sprinting downfield, grimace when tackled… almost just like real life.