Game AI
In the summer of 2024, I decided to keep things light and fun and dove into a Game AI course. After reading countless reviews and reviewing the coursework, I thought “let's give it a go”. This course became a career milestone for me. Every computer engineer has wondered at least once how those cool games are made.
Speaking of cool games, remember *Among Us* (2018), the social guessing game that took the internet by storm, or *Pokémon Go* (2016), the AR game that had everyone chasing Pikachu in the park? Yes, they were built with Unity.
Now, game development is where the real fun begins, especially for engineers who think they'll never use math or physics in their programming. Spoiler alert: you absolutely will. You'll need to understand agent movement, projectile angles, pathfinding, and more. Basically, it's a nerdy rollercoaster of numbers and logic.
As for Game AI, you'll need about 7-8 hours of study time, but you'll be able to take quizzes, which is a good thing. There are no exams to sweat, just assignments that Gradescope will auto-mark. So, if you're interested in gaming and want to flex your brain muscles, this course is a no-brainer.
Unity Game AI
When I first installed Unity, it felt like I was stepping into a whole new world. Everything about this course was new to me, including working with C#, which itself felt like C++ and Java mixed in a blender to create a “code smoothie.”
The best part? My MacBook Pro's fans finally kicked in. Unity is no lightweight when it comes to computing power.
I've been studying Game AI in Unity for about 3 months and during that time I've taken a closer look at how Minecraft biomes are constructed. I even managed to create a terrain using Procedural Generated Content (PCG) with Perlin noise. The terrain heightmap is generated using Perlin noise, which gives a smooth and consistent randomness that's perfect for a natural looking landscape. Who knew randomness could look this good?
Developing Biomes using PCG Nubra Valley Biome — Beauty of Leh-Ladakh, India
Located in the beautiful region of Leh-Ladakh, India, Nubra Valley is a stunning landscape showcasing the natural beauty and diverse topography of this remote region. The valley is home to impressive snow-capped mountains resembling the towering Himalayas, contrasting with the lush forests of the lowlands. It also contains dry areas and tranquil ponds, reflecting the unique ecological diversity of Nubra Valley.
The terrain generates PCGs, creating smooth transitions between these elements, blending rugged mountains, fertile hills, and serene water bodies. This digital representation of Nubra Valley captures the astonishing natural beauty of Leh-Ladakh, India in a virtual environment.
3 biomes
Snow-capped mountains, dry fertile hills and lowland wooded ponds
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