The Amazing Rats of A Plague Tale

The Amazing Rats of A Plague Tale

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Story of A Plague Tale
3. The Impressive Rat Technology 3.1. The Number of Rats 3.2. The AI System 3.3. Flow Field Pathfinding 3.4. The Design Rules for Rats 3.5. Level of Detailing and Performance
4. The Connection to Micro Machines
5. Conclusion

The Impressive Rat Technology in A Plague Tale: How Rats Bring the Game to Life

A Plague Tale by Asobo Studios is a highly acclaimed game that captures the Attention of players with its emotional storytelling and unique gameplay mechanics. Although the game offers a gripping narrative of survival during the black plague in 14th century France, it is the rats that steal the spotlight. With thousands of rats flooding the screen at once, players are left in awe of the impressive technical achievement brought to life by Asobo Studios.

The Plague Tale series follows the Journey of Amicia and Hugo de Rune, two young survivors of the massacre of their hometown by the French Inquisition. As they navigate through a war-torn France during the Hundred Years War, they encounter hordes of rats responsible for spreading the deadly bubonic plague. The game combines elements of survival horror, Puzzle-solving, and stealth gameplay, drawing inspiration from renowned titles like The Last of Us and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.

The implementation of rats in A Plague Tale is a remarkable technical feat. Initially, the developers were unsure if it was even possible to Create such immersive rat behavior. However, through experimentation and innovation, they achieved astonishing results. In A Plague Tale: Innocence, the game could handle up to 5000 rats on screen at once, while the 2022 sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, pushed this limit to approximately 300,000 rats.

To bring these rats to life, Asobo Studios utilized an AI system, steering away from traditional particle systems or animated textures. The intelligence of the rats lies in their ability to make one key decision at any given moment: which direction to move towards. This decision is influenced by the environment around them, as they Seek to kill any human characters while avoiding light sources that would lead to their demise.

The secret behind the rat technology in A Plague Tale is Flow Field Pathfinding, an algorithm that computes navigation in a fixed space. As the game creates an invisible GRID over the floor, each square in the grid calculates the direction a rat should move Based on the position of local human NPCs and light sources. This flow field provides a path that guides the rats as close as possible to their targets while considering the flow of the environment and avoiding light sources.

However, creating a believable rat experience required more than just AI technology. Asobo Studios developed a set of rules known as the "Dictionary of Things to Do with Rats, Humans, and Light." These rules determined the number of rats that would attack a particular human, helping to balance the game's dynamics. Additionally, the speed and behavior of rats were adjusted to provide a challenging experience for players and create a Sense of constant threat.

Moreover, the optimization of the rat technology played a crucial role in maintaining performance. As the number of rats increased, the level of Detail decreased. Only the frontmost rats were fully animated, while the distant rats were represented as static meshes. This level of detailing, combined with the ability to recalculate the flow field quickly as the environment changes, allowed for a seamless gameplay experience.

Surprisingly, the concept of Flow Field Pathfinding finds its roots in a completely different game: Micro Machines, a 1991 racing game developed by Codemasters. As in A Plague Tale, Micro Machines utilized arrows on the track to guide AI-controlled cars. Both games showcase how this concept simplifies complex decision-making processes into something that is easily executed, enhancing gameplay while remaining Hidden from the players' view.

In conclusion, the rat technology present in A Plague Tale is a testament to the innovation and creativity of Asobo Studios. By combining impressive AI systems, flow field pathfinding, and meticulous level of detailing, they have successfully created a realistic and terrifying swarm of rats that captivates players. The game not only offers a thrilling narrative and gameplay experience but also sets a new standard for technical achievements in gaming.

Highlights:

• A Plague Tale combines emotional storytelling and innovative gameplay mechanics.
• Rats play a crucial role in the game's experience, with astounding technical achievements.
• The AI system and flow field pathfinding bring the rats to life, providing believable behavior.
• The optimization of rat technology ensures performance while maintaining a high level of detail.
• The concept of flow field pathfinding originates from a 1991 racing game, Micro Machines.

FAQ

Q: How many rats can appear on the screen at once in A Plague Tale? A: In A Plague Tale: Requiem, the sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, the game can handle approximately 300,000 rats on screen at most.

Q: Is the rat behavior controlled by an AI system? A: Yes, the rats in A Plague Tale are powered by an AI system that determines their movements and decision-making.

Q: How does the flow field pathfinding algorithm work in the game? A: The flow field pathfinding algorithm computes optimal directions for rats based on the environment, human NPCs, and light sources. It guides the rats towards their targets while avoiding light and obstacles.

Q: Can the rat behavior be influenced by the player? A: No, the rat behavior is predetermined based on the game's design rules. However, players must strategize and utilize environmental features to navigate the terrain infested by rats.

Q: How does the level of detail affect the appearance of the rats? A: The level of detail decreases as rats move farther away. The frontmost rats are fully animated, while the more distant rats are represented as static meshes.

Q: Is there any connection between the rat technology in A Plague Tale and Micro Machines? A: Both games utilize a similar concept called flow field pathfinding. In Micro Machines, arrows guide AI-controlled cars on the track, while in A Plague Tale, a flow field grid guides rats towards their targets.