I guess you are already aware that the Unreal Engine Editor can be quite demanding in terms of hardware prerequisites. However, there is no need to be intimidated as this book primarily focuses on game programming rather than real-time visual effects.

In this section, we will explore the hardware and software requirements necessary to follow along with this book. Additionally, we will discuss some prerequisite knowledge that will be beneficial for your journey.

Prerequisite knowledge

Before we dive into the exciting world of AI in game development, I want to kindly remind you that this book is designed for individuals who already possess some knowledge about working with Unreal Engine. Therefore, you must be already familiar with the following topics:

• Unreal Engine: It’s essential to have a basic understanding of this software interface, tools, and workflow.
• Game development basics: Having a good grasp of general game development principles...

AI has emerged as a transformative force in various industries; in its broadest sense, AI involves the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and (sometimes) learn like humans.

As such, developing AI means studying methods and software that enable machines to perceive their environment, learn from data, reason, and make decisions to achieve defined goals.

AI encompasses various subfields and applications, including the following:

• Robotics: The development of intelligent machines that can interact with the physical world
• Natural language processing: The ability of computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language
• Machine learning: The use of algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed
• Deep learning: A branch of machine learning that leverages neural networks to emulate decision-making abilities observed...

When applied to game development, AI is employed to create intelligent systems capable of performing tasks without explicit programming. These systems adapt and improve their performance based on experience, enhancing the overall gaming experience. For instance, game characters have been imbued with AI for many years, enabling them to exhibit seemingly intelligent behavior. Even the four iconic Pac-Man ghosts have been programmed with unique and distinct behaviors!

AI in game development extends far beyond the control of non-playable characters (NPCs) or enemies. It encompasses a diverse range of applications that revolutionize game design, development, and player experience. By leveraging AI, game developers can introduce innovative and immersive gameplay elements that will captivate players during gameplay.

If you have picked up this book, chances are you are eager to grasp the fundamental principles of AI programming in games and apply...

AI plays a pivotal role in enhancing gaming experiences, making them more immersive and exciting. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the underlying principles behind AI development and how they function. This knowledge will empower game developers to effectively harness AI’s potential, creating rich and captivating gameplay that keeps players engaged and enthralled.

Just think about the Assassin’s Creed series, which is known for its open-world gameplay, where complex AI behaviors are used to control NPCs. On a more advanced level, games such as Counter-Strike introduced AI-controlled player characters – called bots – that can be created and managed to stand in place of real players.

Finally, the future of AI in game development holds exciting possibilities and innovations as AI is being used to create dynamic and adaptive narratives in games. By observing player behavior and preferences...

In this chapter, we explored the fundamental principles of AI development and saw how it is applied in the game industry. In the upcoming chapter, I’ll introduce you to the incredible potential that Unreal Engine offers and how its framework can be leveraged to create intelligent and immersive AI in games. Brace yourself for a thrilling exploration of its possibilities and let’s dive into the fascinating realm of AI game programming with your favorite game engine!

The examples in this chapter were created with the help of Basic Miscellany Lineal icons from Flaticon (https://www.flaticon.com/).