diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java
index f05c20631..017a7995f 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java
@@ -52,6 +52,12 @@ public abstract class GameConfig extends PlaceConfig implements Cloneable
     /** Indicates whether or not this game is rated. */
     public boolean rated = true;
 
+    /** Configurations for AIs to be used in this game. Slots with real
+     * players should be null and slots with AIs should contain
+     * configuration for those AIs. A null array indicates no use of AIs
+     * at all. */
+    public GameAI[] ais;
+
     /**
      * Returns the message bundle identifier for the bundle that should be
      * used to translate the translatable strings used to describe the
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
index 1dc3abfa1..e5b26d155 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
@@ -85,6 +85,14 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
             };
             _tickInterval.schedule(TICK_DELAY, true);
         }
+
+        // configure our AIs
+        int aicount = (_gameconfig.ais == null) ? 0 : _gameconfig.ais.length;
+        for (int ii = 0; ii < aicount; ii++) {
+            if (_gameconfig.ais[ii] != null) {
+                setAI(ii, _gameconfig.ais[ii]);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     /**
@@ -475,6 +483,19 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
         return !isPartyGame();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Derived classes that need their AIs to be ticked periodically
+     * should override this method and return true. Many AIs can act
+     * entirely in reaction to game state changes and need no periodic
+     * ticking which is why ticking is disabled by default.
+     *
+     * @see #tickAIs
+     */
+    protected boolean needsAITick ()
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+
     // documentation inherited
     protected void didShutdown ()
     {
@@ -688,7 +709,7 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
         }
 
         // and register ourselves to receive AI ticks
-        if (_AIs != null) {
+        if (_AIs != null && needsAITick()) {
             AIGameTicker.registerAIGame(this);
         }
     }
@@ -808,7 +829,7 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
     protected void gameDidEnd ()
     {
         // remove ourselves from the AI ticker, if applicable
-        if (_AIs != null) {
+        if (_AIs != null && needsAITick()) {
             AIGameTicker.unregisterAIGame(this);
         }