mlsanityData to 7 Oct 2026

SwarmBrain: Embodied agent for real-time strategy game StarCraft II via large language models

arXiv 2401.17749 ↗First posted 31 Jan 2024cs.AIcited by 18

On the map: LLM agents and tool use → Reinforcement learning for LLM agents

Abstract (arXiv)

Large language models (LLMs) have recently garnered significant accomplishments in various exploratory tasks, even surpassing the performance of traditional reinforcement learning-based methods that have historically dominated the agent-based field. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficacy of LLMs in executing real-time strategy war tasks within the StarCraft II gaming environment. In this paper, we introduce SwarmBrain, an embodied agent leveraging LLM for real-time strategy implementation in the StarCraft II game environment. The SwarmBrain comprises two key components: 1) a Overmind Intelligence Matrix, powered by state-of-the-art LLMs, is designed to orchestrate macro-level strategies from a high-level perspective. This matrix emulates the overarching consciousness of the Zerg intelligence brain, synthesizing strategic foresight with the aim of allocating resources, directing expansion, and coordinating multi-pronged assaults. 2) a Swarm ReflexNet, which is agile counterpart to the calculated deliberation of the Overmind Intelligence Matrix. Due to the inherent latency in LLM reasoning, the Swarm ReflexNet employs a condition-response state machine framework, enabling expedited tactical responses for fundamental Zerg unit maneuvers. In the experimental setup, SwarmBrain is in control of the Zerg race in confrontation with an Computer-controlled Terran adversary. Experimental results show the capacity of SwarmBrain to conduct economic augmentation, territorial expansion, and tactical formulation, and it shows the SwarmBrain is capable of achieving victory against Computer players set at different difficulty levels.

Key facts. Cited by 18 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Reinforcement learning for LLM agents, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use. Builds on 74 of its 88 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 31 Jan 2024.

Builds on

74 of 88 references.

Closest ancestors · 3

Same direction, newest first

  1. 2023JARVIS-1: Open-World Multi-task Agents with Memory-Augmented Multimodal Language Models10 Nov
  2. 2023Ghost in the Minecraft: Generally Capable Agents for Open-World Environments via Large Language Models with Text-based Knowledge and Memory25 May
  3. 2023Voyager: An Open-Ended Embodied Agent with Large Language Models25 May

Other references · 71

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50 most cited of 71 All 71 (JSON)

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Cited by year (2026 to 7 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2024: 6; 2025: 7; 2026: 5.

18 papers.

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  1. 2024A Survey on Large Language Model-Based Game Agentscited by 106
  2. 2024LLM as a Mastermind: A Survey of Strategic Reasoning with Large Language Modelscited by 97
  3. 2024A Survey on Large Language Model-Based Social Agents in Game-Theoretic Scenarioscited by 23
  4. 2025DSGBench: A Diverse Strategic Game Benchmark for Evaluating LLM-based Agents in Complex Decision-Making Environmentscited by 22
  5. 2024PhysGame: Uncovering Physical Commonsense Violations in Gameplay Videoscited by 21
  6. 2025From Code Foundation Models to Agents and Applications: A Comprehensive Survey and Practical Guide to Code Intelligencecited by 13
  7. 2025MultiMind: Enhancing Werewolf Agents with Multimodal Reasoning and Theory of Mindcited by 11
  8. 2024CreDes: Causal Reasoning Enhancement and Dual-End Searching for Solving Long-Range Reasoning Problems using LLMscited by 5
  9. 2024Harnessing Language for Coordination: A Framework and Benchmark for LLM-Driven Multi-Agent Controlcited by 4
  10. 2025Memory-Augmented State Machine Prompting: A Novel LLM Agent Framework for Real-Time Strategy Gamescited by 2
  11. 2026AI for Games in the Foundation Model Eracited by 2
  12. 2025Retrieval Augmented Learning: A Retrial-based Large Language Model Self-Supervised Learning and Autonomous Knowledge Generationcited by 1
6 more
  1. 2025Shall We Play a Game? Language Models for Open-ended Wargamescited by 1
  2. 2026Mixing Expert Knowledge: Bring Human Thoughts Back To the Game of Gocited by 1
  3. 2026Order from Chaos: Physical World Understanding from Glitchy Gameplay Videoscited by 1
  4. 2025LLM-Cave: A benchmark and light environment for large language models reasoning and decision-making systemcited by 0
  5. 2026RTSGameBench: An RTS Benchmark for Strategic Reasoning by Vision-Language Modelscited by 0
  6. 2026LLMs Are Not Good Strategists, Yet Memory-Enhanced Agency Boosts Reasoningcited by 0

Similar, not cited

Close in wording, no citation either way

  1. 2025Society of Mind Meets Real-Time Strategy: A Hierarchical Multi-Agent Framework for Strategic Reasoning
  2. 2026World Models for Policy Refinement in StarCraft II
  3. 2025SC2Arena and StarEvolve: Benchmark and Self-Improvement Framework for LLMs in Complex Decision-Making Tasks
  4. 2023Large Language Models Play StarCraft II: Benchmarks and A Chain of Summarization Approach
  5. 2026Self-Evolving Multi-Agent Framework for Efficient Decision Making in Real-Time Strategy Scenarios
  6. 2025Benchmarking LLMs' Swarm intelligence
  7. 2025PillagerBench: Benchmarking LLM-Based Agents in Competitive Minecraft Team Environments
  8. 2025Collaborating Action by Action: A Multi-agent LLM Framework for Embodied Reasoning