The query has a gather-step followed by a scoring-step similar to Utility-systems (and EQS for that matter). A system like this (and EQS) is fantastic for spatial queries such as finding a spawn location for players, enemies, or treasure. It doesn’t have the fancy editor of EQS, but it’s simpler, and a lot easier to extend.

Some time ago I made a small EQS variation I dubbed UtilityQuery. They spoke about their dialog system during GDC 2017. In games like Firewatch blackboards are used to store global story/game state that can be queried by quests, dialog etc. Each key can be listened to for value changes.īlackboards can be used for more than just AI. This easily lets tasks share these variables such as TargetActor which might only be set by one task but used by many. The AIController contains a Blackboard and can be used as a data bank. Replication is only relevant if Blackboards are used for things besides AI which I am still experimenting with. Some other things I wanted: GameplayTags as keys (avoid typo’s, forgetting key names) Save Game support and possibly replication support. While Unreal comes with a Blackboard feature built-in for its Behavior Trees it lacks a few things I really want such as adding keys at runtime. A Dodge-roll task can no longer execute, as its set to require Movement to NOT exist on the AIController. With the action system you assign which GameplayTags to apply to the owner on activation.Įxample: A melee attack taking several seconds and locking the movement of the character. So that you don’t attempt to run another task that requires the legs/movement. Such as claiming the legs of a character. Resource LockingĪ pretty interesting feature from AITasks in Unreal’s GAS is the concept of claiming resources. Multiple tasks can now run at the same time, using resource locking to prevent incompatible tasks from running at the same time. This way no other action interferes with this until you are ready to execute and set the new target in the controller’s blackboard. You simply score this inside the action itself as a regular ol’ variable. While scoring actions, you may need to keep track of which location or target was ‘best’. You can store the current target or any other runtime data for AI to make decisions and perform actions. Replication and SaveGame support are other neat bonuses. This in particular is a little more powerful than the built-in blackboard which doesn’t let you add runtime keys unfortunately.

This controller contains a custom blackboard too, allowing run-time adding/modifying of keys and values. The execution function is often basic as they often just trigger abilities on the Pawn they control. These actions contain a scoring function and an execute function. Let me try to break it down: The AIController has an ActionComponent filled with the utility actions. Bonus: Auto-matching Task name with Scoring Function.I will also be glad to hear your feedback and expand the functionality in the future.

If necessary, fast and high-quality personal support from the author for the plugin in case of problems will be provided.The knowledge of C++ is not required, all the functionality has been designed with the possibility of using and expanding the functionality with blueprints only.Many examples of functional implementation of the Example Project are included.Group movement, three types of creating formations, and the possibility of expanding the functionality in blueprints.The system of patrols that allows you to create linear, looped, and branched routes, with a lot of functionalities, which also integrates the ActionSystem.The system of action fully expandable in the blueprints - EnemyActions and EnemyPointActions, which allows implementing various behaviors for the characters and creating a truly live world in your game in several minutes.

Ue4 ai actions