Unity AI Guide: Create a Autonomous Game with Adaptive NPCs from Udemy

Unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence in Unity by mastering Behavior Trees in this hands-on, practical course. Together, we’ll build a fully autonomous "Hide and Seek" game with Adaptive AI that learns and evolves.

Designed for beginner and intermediate game developers and designers with a passion for AI, this step-by-step course will guide you from the basics to advanced techniques.

We'll begin by exploring the fundamentals of Behavior Trees using the Behavior Designer plugin for Unity, setting a solid foundation. Then, we'll get our hands dirty by building simple AI examples to understand core concepts. From there, we’ll dive deep into the advanced area by creating our fully autonomous "Hide and Seek" game, where AI-driven characters will strategize and adapt without any player input. To enhance the gameplay experience, we'll create a UI that displays stats and information, making it easier to analyse AI behaviour. Finally, we'll take things to the next level by implementing AI adaptation, allowing our agents to learn from their experiences and adjust their behaviour dynamically using database techniques similar to machine learning.

This course includes a demo version of Behavior Designer, ensuring you have all the tools you need to succeed. Plus, you'll enjoy lifetime access to the course, allowing you to learn at your own pace and revisit the material whenever you need.

Join us on this exciting journey and take your AI development skills to new heights.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

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Course Structure

Understand the Basics of Behavior Trees and Behavior Designer

You can buy the full Behavior Designer plug-in from Opsive WebSite

Or search it in the Unity Asset store...

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Uses Behavior Designer plugin for Unity, which is a common tool for implementing AI in games, making it easier to create complex behaviors for non-player characters

Builds a fully autonomous "Hide and Seek" game, providing a practical, hands-on project to solidify understanding of AI concepts and behavior tree implementation

Explores AI adaptation, allowing agents to learn from experiences and adjust behavior dynamically, which introduces learners to database techniques similar to machine learning

Includes a demo version of Behavior Designer, ensuring learners have access to the necessary tools to complete the course and experiment with AI development

Requires the Behavior Designer plugin, which may require an additional purchase if learners want to use the full version beyond the demo provided in this course

Covers NavMesh movement, field of view, and other mechanics, which are essential for creating believable and engaging AI-driven characters in a game environment

Reviews summary

Practical unity ai with behavior trees

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to Unity AI using Behavior Trees, centered around building a fully autonomous game. Students appreciate the hands-on approach and the focus on creating adaptive NPCs. The included Behavior Designer demo is helpful for getting started, although some found version compatibility issues required workarounds. Overall, it's seen as a practical course for applying AI concepts in a game context, offering a clear step-by-step guide.

Course relies on a specific Unity plugin.

"This course utilizes the Behavior Designer plugin extensively, which is useful but specific."

"The included demo version was sufficient for the course material."

"Be aware that the course uses a third-party plugin you may eventually need to purchase."

Introduction to adaptive NPC behavior.

"The section on adaptive AI was fascinating and a great addition."

"Learning how to make NPCs learn from experience using a database was a key takeaway."

"The idea of adaptive agents adds a lot of value to the course project."

Concepts are generally easy to follow.

"The instructor's explanations were clear and easy to understand."

"I appreciated the step-by-step nature of the tutorials."

"Most topics were presented in a way that made them very approachable."

Learn the fundamentals of Behavior Trees.

"The course did a great job explaining the core concepts of behavior trees and how they work."

"I feel confident understanding the basics of behavior trees after taking this course."

"Grasping the fundamentals of behavior trees was made easy by the clear explanations."

Focuses on building a complete game.

"Building the 'Hide and Seek' game was incredibly practical and helped solidify my learning."

"I enjoyed the hands-on coding and seeing the game come together step-by-step."

"The main project is the strongest part of the course for me, providing real-world application."

May require adjusting for newer Unity versions.

"I encountered some issues getting the Behavior Designer plugin to work with the latest Unity version."

"Needed to troubleshoot and find workarounds for some outdated parts of the code or plugin usage."

"If you're using a very recent Unity version, expect minor compatibility challenges."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Unity AI Guide: Create a Autonomous Game with Adaptive NPCs with these activities:

Review Basic Unity Concepts

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Reviewing basic Unity concepts will help you better understand the course's AI implementations.

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Watch introductory Unity tutorials.
Create a simple scene with basic GameObjects.
Write a simple C# script to control object movement.

Review 'Artificial Intelligence for Games'

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Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations of AI.

View AI for Games, Third Edition on Amazon

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Read the chapters on pathfinding and decision-making.
Implement a simple AI system from the book in Unity.

Review 'Unity AI Game Development'

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Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of AI techniques in Unity.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters on behavior trees and pathfinding.
Implement a simple AI system from the book in Unity.

Four other activities

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Implement Different AI Algorithms

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Practicing different AI algorithms will broaden your AI skillset.

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Choose an AI algorithm, such as A* pathfinding.
Implement the algorithm in Unity.
Test the algorithm in a simple scene.

Create a Tutorial on Behavior Trees

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Creating a tutorial will reinforce your understanding of Behavior Trees and help others learn.

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Choose a specific aspect of Behavior Trees to focus on.
Write a clear and concise explanation of the concept.
Create a simple Unity project to demonstrate the concept.
Record a video tutorial or write a blog post.

Expand the Hide and Seek Game

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Expanding the Hide and Seek game will solidify your understanding of Behavior Trees and adaptive AI.

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Add new behaviors to the Hiders and Seekers.
Implement more complex adaptation strategies.
Add new game mechanics, such as power-ups.

Contribute to a Unity AI Project

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Contributing to an open-source project will provide valuable experience working with real-world AI systems.

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Find an open-source Unity AI project on GitHub.
Identify a bug or feature to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Unity AI Guide: Create a Autonomous Game with Adaptive NPCs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Artificial Intelligence Programmer

An Artificial Intelligence Programmer is responsible for developing and implementing AI algorithms within software, often for games or simulations. This course, with its focus on Behavior Trees and the Behavior Designer plugin, directly helps build a foundation for this career. You will create autonomous characters. The course emphasizes practical application and building a fully autonomous game, which may provide direct portfolio pieces. The course content, which allows agents to learn from experiences and adjust behavior dynamically, may be useful for developing sophisticated AI systems. One interested in this career should take this course, as it will allow one to explore core concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Programmer

Gameplay Programmer

Gameplay Programmers are responsible for implementing the game mechanics and systems that define the player experience. This course may be useful if you wish to pursue this particular career, as it allows you to work with Behavior Trees to create a practical, autonomous game. This course helps build skills in AI implementation, a sought-after skill for gameplay programming. The course goes over how to create a UI to display statistics, which would greatly help improve the gameplay experience. Consider taking this course so that you may better understand how to make games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer

Game Designer

A Game Designer conceptualizes and designs gameplay mechanics, game rules, and player experiences. This course may be useful for those wanting to pursue this career, as AI is now a common part of many games. Understanding how to implement AI, as well as the theory and practical application that this course provides, builds a valuable skillset. You will be working hands-on with Behavior Trees and designing adaptive AI, and this may help inform your design choices and create more engaging gameplay experiences. The course will allow you to create a UI to display game information, which may be useful for gameplay design. If you want to be a Game Designer, the course will help to put you on the right track.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Simulation Engineer

A Simulation Engineer develops and implements simulations for various purposes, such as training, research, or testing. If you are interested in this career field, you will find this course useful. The course helps build skills in creating autonomous agents and adaptive AI. The course will improve your understanding of Behavior Trees and AI adaptation, where agents learn and adjust their behavior dynamically. You will be working to create an AI that learns from experience, which may be useful when creating complex simulations. If you want to be a Simulation Engineer, this course could be extremely useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Engineer

Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer designs, builds, and programs robots for various applications. The course may be useful if you wish to pursue this career, as it helps to develop the skills in AI and autonomous systems. A Robotics Engineer can use the tools taught in this course to implement sophisticated control systems. You will be working to create agents that can learn and adapt to their environment, which is a sought-after skill for robotics. If you want to be a Robotics Engineer, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications and systems. This course may be useful if you are a Software Engineer. The course helps build skills in the design, implementation, and application of AI systems. The work with Behavior Trees and AI adaptation may be useful for those looking to develop intelligent systems. The course will let you work with a demo version of Behavior Designer, which would give you plenty of tools to succeed. If you would like to advance your career as a Software Engineer, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

AI Researcher

An AI Researcher explores new AI algorithms and techniques. This typically requires a Master's degree or PhD. This course may be useful if you want to be an AI Researcher. The course helps build a foundation in Behavior Trees and adaptive AI. The course's emphasis on practical application and building adaptive AI may be useful. You will be hands on, working to implement AI adaptation and creating agents that learn their behavior dynamically. If you are planning to pursue this career path, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for AI Researcher

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist analyzes large datasets to extract insights and develop data-driven solutions. The course may be useful if you want to be a Data Scientist. The course helps build skills in AI adaptation, which may be useful for developing intelligent data analysis systems. You will be creating agents that learn from their experiences and adjust their behavior dynamically. If you want to better understand the world of data science, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer develops and implements machine learning models for various applications, which typically requires a Master's degree or a PhD. Although this course focuses on behavior trees, you may find this helpful, as the course implements AI adaptation using database techniques similar to machine learning. The fundamentals of AI adaptation and practical experience in creating adaptive agents could be useful, potentially allowing one to apply these skills to various machine learning projects. If you wish to pursue this career, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Technical Artist

A Technical Artist bridges the gap between artists and programmers, optimizing art assets and implementing visual effects in games. The course may be useful if you want to be a Technical Artist. The course helps build familiarity with Unity and the Behavior Designer plugin, which can be valuable tools. You will be working to optimize and implement AI-driven characters, which may be useful for enhancing the visual experience of games. If you want to pursue this career, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

UI Designer

A UI Designer creates user interfaces for software and games. If you are interested in this career, the course may be useful, as it covers the creation of a UI to display stats and information, a key component of many games. The hands-on experience in designing and implementing UI elements may be useful. The course shows how to make a UI design that is simple and easy to understand. With this course, you may improve your career as a UI Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

Level Designer

A Level Designer creates engaging and immersive game environments. If you are interested in this career, this course may be useful. The course focuses on building AI-driven characters, which may be useful for populating game levels with intelligent agents. Creating the playground and hiding spots may be useful for developing engaging game levels. If you want to be a Level Designer, this course may be helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Quality Assurance Tester

Quality Assurance Testers make sure that software and games function properly. A Quality Assurance Tester will focus on finding any glitches. While many games do not have an AI component, some do and are becoming increasingly common. Being able to spot glitches and diagnose problems may be useful in your career as a Quality Assurance Tester. If you are interested in being a Qualify Assurance Tester, this course may be useful.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. In game development, a project manager ensures that the various components, such as AI, are integrated seamlessly. While the course doesn't directly focus on project management principles, exposure to the development process of AI systems may provide valuable insights into potential challenges and resource requirements. You will develop insight on the timeline of AI development, which may be useful for time management. If you are interested in being a Project Manager, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

IT Support Specialist

An IT Support Specialist provides technical assistance and support to computer users. While this course focuses primarily on AI development, understanding software and its functionalities may be useful in this role. Understanding how AI works may be useful for troubleshooting AI related issues. If you are interested in being an IT Support Specialist, this course may be useful.

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Unity AI Guide

Create a Autonomous Game with Adaptive NPCs

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Practical unity ai with behavior trees

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