Create Dynamic AI Behavior in Unreal Engine 5

Create Dynamic AI Behavior in Unreal Engine 5

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Setting up the AI
3. Adding Sight Detection
4. Customizing Sight Radius and Peripheral Vision
5. Stopping the AI from Constantly Following the Player
6. testing and Fine-Tuning
7. Allowing the AI to Move in the Level
8. Conclusion

Introduction

In this Tutorial, we will be exploring how to create an AI in Unreal Engine 5 that can detect the player's presence and chase them. While the version we'll be creating does not include any consequences when the AI catches the player, it can be easily customized to include such features in the future. We'll cover setting up the AI, adding sight detection, customizing sight radius and peripheral vision, stopping the AI from constantly following the player, testing and fine-tuning, and allowing the AI to move in the level. Let's get started!

Setting up the AI

To begin, you need to create your AI in Unreal Engine. If you already have an AI blueprint, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you can duplicate the character blueprint and customize it as needed. Once you have the AI blueprint set up, you can delete unnecessary code and components to streamline the process.

Adding Sight Detection

Now that we have our AI blueprint ready, it's time to add sight detection. In the viewport, add a Pawn Sensing component to the AI blueprint. Adjust the sight radius and peripheral vision angle to fit your needs. You can place the AI in the level and select it to see the sight range and angle in the actual world for reference.

Customizing Sight Radius and Peripheral Vision

The sight radius determines how far the AI can detect the player, while the peripheral vision angle determines the AI's field of view. You can adjust these values to suit your Game's requirements. It's important to note that the AI's sight is not obstructed by objects unless you specifically set up object permanence. By default, the AI will not be able to see through walls.

Stopping the AI from Constantly Following the Player

By default, the AI will continually follow the player once it has detected them. To prevent this behavior, you can use a retriggerable delay node. Connect the output of the Pawn Sensing component to a sequence node, and then connect the branch off the sequence node to the AI's movement logic. Inside the sequence node, add an AI Move To node with the target actor set to the pawn that the AI has detected. Next, add the retriggerable delay node and set the duration appropriately. This delay will ensure that the AI stops following the player if it hasn't detected them for longer than the specified duration.

Testing and Fine-Tuning

Once you have set up the sight detection and stopping logic, it's time to test the AI's behavior. You can play the game and observe how the AI reacts to the player's presence. Make adjustments to the settings and delays as needed to achieve the desired gameplay experience. It's important to strike a balance between challenge and fairness.

Allowing the AI to Move in the Level

To enable the AI to navigate the level, you need to add a Nav Mesh Bounds Volume. This volume defines the areas where the AI can move. Place the Nav Mesh Bounds Volume in the middle of your level and adjust its size to match the playable area. This ensures that the AI can walk around freely within the specified boundaries.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have covered the process of creating an AI that can detect the player and chase them in Unreal Engine 5. We have discussed setting up the AI, adding sight detection, customizing sight radius and peripheral vision, stopping the AI from constantly following the player, testing and fine-tuning, and allowing the AI to move in the level. By following these steps, you can create engaging and dynamic AI behavior in your game. Give it a try and see how it enhances the player's experience!

Highlights:

• Create an AI in Unreal Engine 5 with sight detection
• Customize sight radius and peripheral vision to fit your game's requirements
• Use a retriggerable delay to stop the AI from constantly following the player
• Test and fine-tune the AI's behavior for optimal gameplay experience
• Enable the AI to navigate the level using a Nav Mesh Bounds Volume

FAQ:

Q: Can the AI detect the player through walls? A: By default, the AI cannot see through walls. The sight detection is limited by the environment and object permanence settings.

Q: How can I adjust the AI's behavior when it loses sight of the player? A: You can set a delay duration in the retriggerable delay node to determine how long the AI will continue chasing the player after losing sight. Test and fine-tune this duration to achieve the desired gameplay experience.

Q: Can I customize the AI's movement pattern when it stops chasing the player? A: Yes, you can add your own logic to determine what the AI will do once it stops chasing the player. Options include random roaming, patrol patterns, or returning to a specific location.