As someone which a strong interest (and little experience) in artificial intelligence I have a short and to the point request for online game developers: allow bots.
Either have specific servers or, if you’re single sharded, places in your game universe where bots are allowed. Outside of those servers and places continue your battle against illegal macroing, gold farming and botting:
While my final ranking in the Google AI Contest was disappointing (280th), it was a very educational experience and was totally offset by Gábor Melis’ dominating win using Common Lisp as well.
The Planet Wars competition has been running for a month now and the deadline for submissions is Saturday the 27th of November 2010.
Don’t let the fact that it has already been running for a month dissuade you from participating. If you’re an experienced programmer a weekend of solid work will get your bot in the top 500 (out of a little more than 3000 participants currently) and maybe even in the top 100. If you’re less experienced perhaps a week or two of work will get you the same (and if not, you will still learn a lot!).