Phase 1: Blending Standard AI with Rumble AI (Initial Release)

In the first phase, Kart Rumble will launch with a hybrid AI system that combines standard, rules-based racing logic with our custom Rumble AI enhancements.

This phase focuses on building a solid, responsive AI foundation with the following traits:

• Behavior Trees for Opponent Variety AI-controlled racers are assigned specific behavioral styles—aggressive, defensive, balanced, or chaotic—resulting in opponents that drive differently, make distinct decisions, and react uniquely to player actions.

• Context-Aware Decision-Making Rumble AI will analyze in-race scenarios and make decisions based on track position, item availability, current lap, and nearby racers. For example, an aggressive AI may launch an attack item near the finish line, while a defensive AI might conserve a shield for incoming threats.

• Dynamic Power-Up Usage AI opponents won’t use items randomly. They’ll use them strategically—blocking overtakes, defending key positions, or stacking boosts in critical track segments.

• Difficulty Scaling Based on Player Performance AI difficulty will adjust based on each player’s skill level, using race history, completion times, and win/loss streaks to balance the challenge without it feeling forced.

• AI Personalities Early versions of Rumble AI will assign each racer a "persona" that impacts their risk-taking, track line preferences, shortcut usage, and power-up timing.

All of this is handled off-chain for performance, but key results—race placements, rewards, player vs. AI outcomes—are logged on-chain, ensuring transparency and verifiability in competitive events.

This phase ensures that from day one, Kart Rumble races feel lively, challenging, and immersive—whether you're playing against human racers or AI rivals.