Message from Dean - May 8th 2007
I am currently testing out a new version of the APF Bridge Component - If you notice any errors within this demo store please drop me a line.
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 794.81526
EAN: 9781584503446
Edition: 1
ISBN: 1584503440
Label: Charles River Media
Manufacturer: Charles River Media
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 624
Publication Date: 2004-09
Publisher: Charles River Media
Studio: Charles River Media
Alternate Versions: Click to Display
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
AI Game Engine Programming provides game developers with the tools and wisdom necessary to create modern game AI engines. It takes programmers from theory to actual game development, with usable code frameworks designed to go beyond merely detailing how a technique might be used. In addition, it surveys the capabilities of the different techniques used. In addition, it surveys the capabilities of the different techniques used in some current AI engines, and covers common pitfalls, design considerations, and optimizations. If you're having difficulty determining which techniques to use, or looking for working code best suited to a particular game, you'll find the answers here. You'll also find a clean, usable interface for a variety of game AI techniques with an emphasis on primary decision-making paradigms.
The book provides insightful coverage of a variety of subjects important to AI engine development, and ties them together masterfully to form an indispensable reference. Part I provides an overall look at game AI, covers the basic terminology used in the book, reviews underlying concepts of game AI, and dissects the parts of a game AI engine. Part II covers specific game genres (RPG, TRS, FTPS, Shooter, Sports, Racing, Strategy, Adventure, Fighting, Platform, and miscellaneous) and explains how they use different AU paradigms. It also covers the move common solutions to the problems posed by each genre. Some of the problems include, dealing with direct AI and human interactions, using scripting languages appropriately, and general intelligence/entertainment balancing. Part III provides the actual code implementations for the basic AI techniques such as finite state machines, fuzzy state machines, message board systems, scripted systems, and location-based information systems. And, Part IV covers the move advanced techniques, including genetic algorithms, neural networks, artificial life, planning algorithms, and decision trees. The book concludes with Part V, which looks at "real game AI development." The areas covered here focus on how distributed AI works as an overall paradigm that can help with the organization of any AI engine. There is also coverage of common AI development, debugging and tuning, and the future of AI.
After reading this book you'll have traveled through most of the huge landscape of knowledge that a game AI programmer faces, and you'll be prepared to master it!
Key Feature:
* Provides a detailed guide for programmers interested in creating an AI engine for and game genre
* Breaks down AI elements and solutions by genre, and provides concrete examples from popular games
* Includes code implementations for both basic and complex AI techniques
* Provides suggestions for how the AI systems discussed can be extended or optimized for space, speed, and other limitations
* Explains distributed AI as a paradigm that can help with the organization of almost any AI engine
On the CD-ROM
The CD-ROM includes all of the source code compiled using Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0, along with the compiled binaries; the GLUT wrapper for OpenGL library, and the Lua language library; useful bookmarks; and all the figures from the book.
System Requirements: Pentium 3.1 GHz or better, GeoForce Go or 3 graphics card or better, Windows (ME, 2000, or XP). The demonstration programs are written in Microsoft Visual C++ under the Windows platform, but only rendering is platform specific. The rendering API used is the GLUT extension to Open GL.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
This book was quite revealing to me. It is basically split into two halves: the first part talks about specific game types and how developers have traditionally used AI systems for each, and the second part which covers the actual code implementations for these systems.
I loved the in depth game section. It was really interesting to find out exactly which techniques are used the the various games. He even includes many examples from real life games. It made thinking about creating these systems for myself seem much more doable.
As far as code goes, there's a ton of it. Both working game code for each type of AI system he's trying to explain, as well as code from real games or internet demos. I found his code clean and professionally written. I have already used code from three different chapters as a launching point for my own projects.
I saw a reference in another review for Programming AI by Example. I also own that book and I must say I liked this one better. Matt's ... Read More
Rating:  -
First, I would like to address the comment a reviewer made about the book being no good because it utilizes OpenGL.
This is a book on AI, the AI concepts and code can be implemented using any rendering API (or none at all) to visualize their activity. OpenGL and DirectX have as much to do with AI as car engine maintenance has to do with cooking a good lobster neuberg. The fact that the reviewer cannot make this distinction is sadly telling. Some people want all the work done for them. If you are that type, don't bother with programming.
Second, the reviewer who said that this book is too scattered is right. It tries to do too many things and ends up doing none of them extremely well. It does, however, have a few good code samples and can be used as an introductory book on the subject.
Rating:  -
The book is trying to do too much but end up delivering little. There is also not enough code to illustrate the concepts. I would recommend Matt Buckland's AI books if you are actually looking for a practical guide to help you develop your own AI system. If you must buy, check it in the bookstore before you do.
Rating: -
This is a good book that talks about game AI. The author describe most of the game AI topics in this book. If you interest in game AI. I highly suggest you to have this book on your bookself.
Rating: -
I have worked in the game industry for over 10 years, and have also taught classes in game design and programming. This is the first book that I would recommend as intro/intermediate textbook for game AI. It covers all the popular game types (shooters, fighters, sports, and more) and covers all the popular AI methods (state machines, scripting, messaging, many others).
The book uses a very clean, not-too formal, not-too conversational writing style, which is easy to get into and yet remains professional sounding. The included code is clean, usable, and is very representative of real working game code. There's also tons of code snippets from actual released games to show the reader how the concepts have been done out in the wild.
The book also goes into the actual process of creating an AI system for a game project. Only by knowing the type of game you're going to make, the platform, the audience, and a slurry of other factors can you intelligently design a system ... Read More
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