Creating simple enemy AI in Unreal Engine can add a layer of challenge to your game and make it more engaging for players. In this article, we will cover the basics of setting up a simple enemy AI that can detect and pursue the player character.
Step 1: Setting up the Enemy Character
First, create a new character blueprint for your enemy. This can be a simple character with a mesh and a collision capsule. Make sure to add a pawn sensing component to your enemy character, which will allow it to detect the player.
Step 2: Setting up the AI Controller
Create a new AI controller blueprint for your enemy. This blueprint will define the behavior and decision-making of the enemy AI. In the AI controller blueprint, you can set up the behavior tree and blackboard for your enemy AI.
Step 3: Setting up the Behavior Tree
The behavior tree is where you define the sequence of actions and decisions that the enemy AI will make. You can set up tasks such as “move to player” and “attack player” as part of the behavior tree. You can also define conditions for when the enemy should stop pursuing the player, such as when the player is out of sight.
Step 4: Setting up the Blackboard
The blackboard is where you define the variables and data that the behavior tree will use to make decisions. For example, you can store the location of the player character in the blackboard, which the enemy AI will use to determine its next action.
Step 5: Implementing AI Logic
In the AI controller blueprint, you can define the logic for when the enemy AI should start pursuing the player, when it should stop pursuing, and when it should attack. You can use the pawn sensing component to detect the player and update the blackboard with the player’s location.
Step 6: Testing and Iterating
Once you have set up the enemy AI, it’s important to test it in the game and iterate on its behavior. You can use the debugger tools in Unreal Engine to visualize the behavior tree and blackboard, which can help you identify any issues with the AI’s decision-making.
By following these steps, you can create a simple enemy AI that can detect and pursue the player character in your game. As you become more comfortable with Unreal Engine’s AI tools, you can further expand the capabilities of your enemy AI, adding more complex behaviors and interactions with the player character.
