TAGLINE

Elevate your Unreal Engine skills with This Essential Guide to AI-Driven Game Development!

KEY FEATURES

● Comprehensive coverage of AI techniques and their Unreal Engine implementation

● Practical hands-on exercises and real-world examples for seamless AI integration

● Covers all important AI workflows in Unreal Engine

DESCRIPTION

In the rapidly evolving world of game development, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your Unreal Engine projects is no longer optional—it’s essential. Mastering AI for Unreal Engine is your definitive guide to unlocking the transformative power of AI, propelling your games beyond the ordinary and into the realm of cutting-edge, immersive experiences.

Through a step-by-step approach, you will explore a wide range of AI techniques, including pathfinding, behavior trees, perception systems, and the powerful Environment Query System (EQS). Each chapter delves into the theoretical underpinnings of these AI components, followed by hands-on exercises and real-world examples that demonstrate their integration within Unreal Engine. We will learn to create intelligent, dynamic, and engaging game experiences by leveraging the power of AI.

What sets this book apart is its deep dive into emerging AI frameworks like the Mass Framework, giving you a strategic edge in adopting the latest trends and technologies that are shaping the future of gaming. You’ll learn how to optimize your AI systems, enhance performance, and master debugging techniques critical for smooth, efficient development processes.

Mastering AI for Unreal Engine doesn’t just teach you AI—it empowers you to innovate, create intelligent game worlds, and stand out in the fiercely competitive game development landscape.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN

● Set up and navigate Unreal Engine to establish a strong foundation for AI development.

● Learn Blueprints, create class Blueprints, and use Blueprint communication for interactive AI components.

● Build AI characters, and master navigation meshes and pathfinding for dynamic movement.

● Create complex AI behaviors using Behavior Trees and Blackboard components.

● Implement AI Perception to add sight and hearing, making your AI characters more aware and reactive.

● Use State Trees to manage AI states with evaluators, tasks, and transitions.

● Leverage the Environmental Query System (EQS) to enable AI to make context-aware decisions.

● Debug and optimize AI with Unreal’s visual logging and debugging tools.

● Explore advanced AI design techniques like Data Oriented Design, Mass AI, and ZoneGraph.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?

This book is tailored for game developers, aspiring designers, and anyone interested in integrating AI into Unreal Engine projects. Suitable for beginners to experienced professionals, it’s ideal for students, hobbyists, and industry pros looking to enhance their AI skills. Whether you're creating Non-Player Characters (NPCs), designing complex decision-making systems, or advancing game AI, this book provides the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction to Unreal Engine

2. Unreal Blueprints

3. Understanding AI in Games

4. Navigation and Pathfinding

5. Behavior Trees and Blackboards

6. AI Perception

7. StateTree

8. Environment Query System

9. SmartObjects

10. Debugging AI in Unreal Engine

11. Mass Framework and Future Trends in GameAI

Index