Programming Believable Characters for Computer Games (Game Development Series)

Baillie-De Byl, Penny

ISBN 10: 1584503238 / ISBN 13: 9781584503231

Published by Charles River Media, 2004

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Programming Believable Characters for Computer Games (Game Development Series)
• Publisher: Charles River Media
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1584503238
• ISBN 13: 9781584503231
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

Computer games have evolved from simple, little programs to major Hollywood-type productions. And today's player expectations have kept pace with this evolution - they expect truly believable gaming environments with complex stories, characters, and action. To achieve this quality, developers need to incorporate the most cutting-edge tools and techniques available. Programming Believable Characters for Computer Games is written to provide such a resource. It takes current research in artificial intelligence and games and presents both the concepts and architectures through practical programming examples. The book focuses on the higher-level AI needed to develop interesting and believable, non-player characters that can learn and express emotions. With an emphasis on pathfinding, decision trees, finite-state machines, rule-based systems, and goal-oriented action planning, it addresses the current topics in game development. Throughout the book, programmers work through the step-by-step creation of a 3D animated autonomous character. Each chapter covers the theory of the topic and then applies it through practical hands-on exercises. The creation process works from design, modeling, and animation to the development of the artificial brain, which includes techniques for learning, socializing, communicating, navigating, and adapting to its environment. This is a comprehensive resource that brings current games research into the hands of programmers.

About the Author

Dr. Penny Baillie-de Byl (Australia) is a university lecturer, computer programmer, systems simulator, and Web site application engineer who has been researching in the area of artificial intelligence since 1995. She has published a number of international conference papers, journal papers, and a book chapter in this area. She also presents talks internationally about her work, and currently teaches courses on computer programming, multimedia systems and computer graphics at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.