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Artificial Intelligence in Unreal Engine 5
Artificial Intelligence in Unreal Engine 5

Artificial Intelligence in Unreal Engine 5: Unleash the power of AI for next-gen game development with UE5 by using Blueprints and C++

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Profile Icon Marco Secchi
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Paperback Oct 2024 358 pages 1st Edition
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Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Marco Secchi
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Paperback Oct 2024 358 pages 1st Edition
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$49.99
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Artificial Intelligence in Unreal Engine 5

Getting Started with AI Game Development

Welcome to the fascinating world of artificial intelligence (AI) development in Unreal Engine! I am thrilled that you have chosen me and my book as your guide on this sometimes intimidating journey into the realm of AI programming. Rest assured that I am committed to making this experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Throughout this book, you will acquire the skills required to create Unreal Engine games that involve the use of AI techniques and learn how to handle them at runtime. We will start from the basics, such as moving agents within a game level, and gradually progress to more advanced topics such as creating complex behaviors and managing multiple AI entities (even dozens or hundreds). By the end of this journey, you will be proficient in crafting formidable opponents that will challenge your players; what’s more, you will possess a deep understanding of the potential pitfalls in AI development and how to avoid them...

Technical requirements

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...

Introducing AI

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...

Understanding AI in game development

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...

Explaining AI techniques in video games

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...

Summary

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!

Credits

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

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon
Download code icon Download Code

Key benefits

  • Adopt AI techniques for developing immersive gameplay experiences
  • Learn how to use the Unreal Engine gameplay framework system with C++ and Blueprints
  • Plan and develop AI behaviors carefully from start to finish
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

Have you ever wondered how to create engaging gameplay experiences that involve formidable AI opponents, capable of challenging and pushing players to their limits? If the answer is yes, then get ready to enter the realm of AI creation with Unreal Engine 5. Within the pages of this book, written by a brilliant author and game development expert, you’ll find the secrets of Unreal Engine's cutting-edge AI framework. With this newfound knowledge, you’ll be able to create immersive and dynamic gaming experiences. This step-by-step guide will teach you the art of crafting intelligent and responsive virtual opponents that challenge and engage players on a whole new level. As you follow along with practical examples, the book will guide you through the creation of fully functional AI systems. You’ll be able to harness the power of behavior trees, NavMesh systems, and sensory perception models, breathing life into your virtual characters. By the end of this book, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to unleash the full potential of AI in Unreal Engine. Get ready to revolutionize your gaming creations and captivate players with AI-driven wonders that push the boundaries of what's possible!

Who is this book for?

This book is for game programmers, as well as Unreal Engine developers with little to no knowledge of AI systems in video games, who want to explore this topic in depth. Developers who are proficient in other game engines and are interested in understanding the principles of the Unreal AI framework will also benefit from this book. You’ll need basic knowledge of Unreal Engine and C++ and a strong passion for game development to get the most out of this book.

What you will learn

  • Discover the basics of AI development in video games
  • Gain a deep understanding of the main actors in the Unreal Engine AI framework
  • Design and develop engaging AI actors for a game
  • Create dynamic and immersive AI experiences with behavior trees, navigation systems, MassEntity, and other AI features
  • Debug AI systems using dedicated Unreal Engine debugging tools
  • Extend the AI system with custom nodes and functions
  • Understand how to cope with the AI system by employing Blueprints and/or C++
  • Create games that focus on tactics, motion, and more

Product Details

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Publication date : Oct 31, 2024
Length: 358 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781836205852
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Length: 358 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781836205852
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Tools :

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Table of Contents

20 Chapters
Part 1: Introducing Artificial Intelligence in Games Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 1: Getting Started with AI Game Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 2: Introducing the Unreal Engine AI System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 2: Understanding the Navigation System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 3: Presenting the Unreal Engine Navigation System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 4: Setting Up a Navigation Mesh Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 5: Improving Agent Navigation Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 6: Optimizing the Navigation System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 3: Working with Decision Making Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 7: Introducing Behavior Trees Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 8: Setting Up a Behavior Tree Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 9: Extending Behavior Trees Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 10: Improving Agents with the Perception System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 11: Understanding the Environment Query System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 4: Exploring Advanced Topics Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 12: Using Hierarchical State Machines with State Trees Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 13: Implementing Data-Oriented Calculations with Mass Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 14: Implementing Interactable Elements with Smart Objects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
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