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

Tap into the cutting-edge artificial intelligence features of Unreal Engine 5 and unlock their potential to craft captivating and engaging experiences in your games and applications in this part-color guide

DRM-free PDF version + access to Packt's next-gen Reader*

Key Features

• 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

Book 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!

*Email sign-up and proof of purchase required

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

Who this book is 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.

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started with AI Game Development
2. Introducing the Unreal Engine AI System
3. Presenting the Unreal Engine Navigation System
4. Setting Up a Navigation Mesh
5. Improving Agent Navigation
6. Optimizing the Navigation System
7. Introducing Behavior Trees
8. Setting Up a Behavior Tree
9. Extending Behavior Trees
10. Improving Agents with the Perception System
11. Understanding the Environment Query System
12. Using Hierarchical State Machines with State Trees
13. Implementing Data-Oriented Calculations with Mass
14. Implementing Interactable Elements with Smart Objects
15. Appendix – Understanding C++ in Unreal Engine

Marco Secchi is a freelance game developer who graduated in computer engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He is a lecturer and lead game advisor at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) where he also mentors BA students in their final thesis projects. In his spare time, he reads a lot, plays video games (less than he would like), and tries to practice CrossFit.