Some links on Artificial Intelligence in Unity

Here are some links to provide some information on Unity AI.  I am using these as I reading the book "Unity AI Programming Essentials" which I will be reviewing on March 4th.

• Unity's Learn Page on their website provides us will an intermediate tutorial about AI and Unity: Unity Enemy AI
• Here is a nice article on NavMesh Navigation for Unity: Unity 3D AI Navmesh
• This links is about Goal Oriented Action Planning(GOAP) AI for Unity: GOAP for Unity

So that it for now.  Have a wonderful Sunday!

My review of another great Packt Publishing book! This time on Unity AI!

On Wednesday March 4, 2015 I will review the book "Unity AI Game Programming Essentials."  The book is written by Curtis Bennett and Dan Violet Sagmiller.  The book goes into details about 3 Unity AI solutions that are available in the Asset Store.  The first is Quick Path which is available for $10., then there's React AI which costs $45., and then there is RAIN which is free.  Most of the book uses the free RAIN plug-in.  I am looking forward to reading more about these plug-ins. For more information see the book listing at Packt Publishing.

Free books from Packtpub!

Everyday between now and March 5th Packt Publishing is hosting their Free Learning event!  Each day they will provide one of their wonderful ebooks free for download.
This is a fantastic opportunity to study new software, improve a programming language or perhaps learn how to use Raspberry Pi!  I've picked up the past 3 days worth so check it out at http://bit.ly/1vy718F !

Three links to some interesting Unity information

Well its been over a month since my last post.  I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays. I have big plans for this blog so stay tuned and see what's happening. 

First I will give you the links I promised:
Daggerfall Tools for Unity - This is a fantastic free tool for bringing the old Elder Scrolls game Daggerfall into Unity and using the assets and code as a starting point for your own game.  Please follow all applicable Copyright laws.  I can't wait to play around with this one.

Fix Uniy error Timestamps and asset maps out of sync - Apparently Unity can have an error where all the assets, including scripts, models, etc, don't appear in your project.  Very frustrating if you have been working on a project for awhile.  This post by Wajahat Karim at his blog explains how he worked around this issue and how to prevent it from happening again.

Embedding Unity 3D into Wordpress -This post from Wajahat Karim's blog explains how you can embed Unity's web player into Wordpress.

That's it for now.  Have a wonderful day!

Packtpub is at it again with $5 ebooks and videos until January 6, 2015!

Following the success of last year’s festive offer, Packt Publishing will be celebrating the holiday season with an even bigger $5 offer.  

From Thursday 18^th December, every eBook and video will be available on the publisher’s website for just $5. Customers are invited to purchase as many as they like before the offer ends on Tuesday January 6^th, making it the perfect opportunity to try something new or to take your skills to the next level as 2015 begins. 

With all $5 products available in a range of formats and DRM-free, customers will find great value content delivered exactly how they want it across Packt’s website this Christmas and New Year. Find out more at Packtpub

My review of "Unity Game Development Blueprints"

“Unity Game Development Blueprints” by John P. Doran is a book about creating three different games in Unity 4.6.  Packtpub’s listing for the book at http://bit.ly/unitybl includes a fairly hefty download of the assets for the games you will create.  This is an “advanced beginner”-to-intermediate level programmer book and the author has provided videos of the completed games at https://www.youtube.com/user/netravelr/videos.

                Over the course of the first two chapters you create a 2D game called Twin-Stick Shooter.  The author compares this design to the game Geometry Wars. In the first chapter the whole game is created with all the usual trappings.  The second chapter goes into detail on creating the interface for the game using the Unity legacy GUI system.  One of the things I liked about this book is that at the end of each chapter the author provides challenges for you to personalize the game and make it your own. 

                In chapter 3 you get to create a side-scrolling platformer which combines 2D and 3D gaming.  I found this chapter very interesting in that you create your own tile-based level.  This is something that I have always wanted to do and the chapter is a nice introduction into how this could be accomplished.  It also prepares you for later chapters in which you set-up a 3D environment using prefabs that you create.

                The rest of the book, with the exception of chapter 9, is dedicated to creating a 3D FPS.  Chapter 4 is all about creating a terrain for the game which includes making your own skybox and using the Basic water component that comes with the free version of Unity.  Chapter 5 covers the creation of an indoor level using prefabs that you place and snap together.  Chapter 6 is all about the gameplay and creating the AI for the game. 

                In chapter 7 you learn about creating saves for all three games you have made.  I really enjoyed this chapter as I have always wondered how this was done.  Mr. Doran provides a way of storing information for your game that is installed on a player’s machine.   He also provides a link for using XML serialization. Chapter 8 is all about putting finishing touches on the game including setting up a free installer for the games.  I think this definitely helps to make your game look more professional. 

                The book ends with a whole chapter covering the new User Interface system in Unity 4.6.  The interface for Twin-Stick Shooter is recreated using the new UI. 

                I really enjoyed this book on Unity.  I like the fact that it is new, current with the latest Unity release and that the games you program are fun to play.  I also like that Mr. Doran doesn’t hold your hand throughout developing each of the three games.  If you have already completed some introductory tutorials on Unity then this is the book for you!

      The contest continues for another week.  Please post your comment for a chance to win a free copy of this great book. 

A fantastic contest for you to win an e-copy of "Unity Game Development Blueprints!"

I've been given another opportunity by the kind people at Packtpub to review the book, "Unity Game Development Blueprints" by John P. Doran who has written so many other great books for Packtpub.  My review of the book will be posted on December 12th.

Win A Free Copy of Packt's Unity Game Development Blueprints

 We are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Packt Publishing and are organizing a giveaway especially for you. All you need to do is just comment below the post and win a free e-copy of Unity Game Development Blueprints. Two lucky winners stand a chance to win an e-copy of the book. Keep reading to find out how you can be one of the Lucky One.

                                                    

                                                     

                                                   

 Overview of Unity Game Development Blueprints

·           Create a wide variety of projects with Unity in multiple genres and formats

·           Complete art assets with clear step-by-step examples and instructions to complete all tasks using Unity, C#, and MonoDevelop

·           Develop advanced internal and external environments for games in 2D and 3D

How to Enter?

Simply post your expectations from this book in comments section below. You could be one of the 2 lucky participants to win the copy.

DeadLine:

The contest will close on December 19^th,2014. Winners will be contacted by email, so be sure to use your real email address when you comment!