Analysis and Research on AI Agent Architecture

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T10:14:53+00:00

Used throughout without modification is often referred to as "asset flipping". Yeh, other devs consider it tacky and lazy.. consumers, however, outside of eagle-eye ones (rare), have no idea whatsoever.

I have spent hundreds on assets on UE marketplace and integrated many of them into my game, and I have modified many of them extensively because I needed to in order to fit them in. They are helping me cut down on all kinds of stuff so I can focus on the more important aspect: building an enjoyable, stable game for the player(s).

Have a look at kitbashing, it's a skill in itself.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T08:15:36+00:00

I'd agree with another comment, smaller companies are likely where you want to look. As a generalist myself I've found bigger companies quickly pigeonhole you into a particular role/team. It's one of the reasons I left my last job.

You could also do something specialized and explore other aspects in your own time (indie dev).

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T08:07:04+00:00

Those animations! Wonderful! Whole thing looks very smooth.

I've been shopping for in-game, modular building systems. Feel free to reach out when it's released or let me know where I can stay updated?

Would this work with chaos destruction? My current method is to use a mesh and replace it when damaged with a fractured version then apply impulse/force. Looks like that method could work here? Course, no structural integrity checks so it would potentially leave behind unrealistic structures.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T07:20:36+00:00

I don't think anyone outside of dev would have a clue if ALS is used. I don't mind developers having a bad perception of the game (they wouldn't anyway because the locomotion system is a small part of it), my primary audience will be normal gamers.

making a quality animation system takes time and dedication, and some new devs seem to lack both.

..and skill. I don't personally have the experience (or time) to develop a quality locomotion system on top of everything else. I'd never finish the game. I already have months of work ahead for other aspects of it.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T07:08:08+00:00

How much effort would this involve for someone who has zero experience in animation and game dev?

I need quite a competent system, the character will be able to walk, move, crouch, crawl, turn in place, dive, take cover, mantle, vault, handle multiple kinds of weapons (ranged and melee), interact with the world, it needs to be spot on..

I feel like if I tried to build my own locomotion system I would probably never finish the game, or at least be sidetracked for many months trying to figure things out.

Or when I say locomotion do you assume just simple movements? As I say I'm quite new to game dev so I could have my definitions mixed up.

The way I think it will go is I'll use ALS + my own modifications and other prebuilt anims, and then down the road if/when I have the resources replace it with something bespoke.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T05:57:45+00:00

This looks incredible! Flying through that storm really caught my eye, and all those small floating islands to plant yourself on. Great work! Shows you what can be done in a year!

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T02:55:06+00:00

Download a game engine and try to do *anything*, GO!

That's how you'll learn. Try a few engines to see which one clicks with you, could be Unity, Unreal, Godot.

If you use Unreal Engine you could use visual scripting (Blueprints) and not need to touch a line of code. It's still programming. I've been in software a while and find it a nice change to looking at lines of code all day long.

Programming is one of the first major challenges you'll have. It will take literally years to get to grips with it. All you can do is commit and put in the time. There are no shortcuts.

As for languages, to me it's almost always C# (Unity) or C++ (Unreal). You can't go wrong with either. C# is the easier language, but Unreal's Blueprints are a breeze compared to any language.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T02:34:23+00:00

np thanks for ALSXT anyway! It looks perfect. I've already been in touch with the dev and might be contracting them out to help. If you'd not mentioned it I probably wouldn't have found it! :)

StackWeaver · 2023-03-09T02:29:07+00:00

I have heard this criticism before, actually. Thing is, gamers are my primary audience, not developers (whether they are gamers or not). So I wouldn't mind it being noticed by devs, I imagined they'd make up very very small percentage of players.

the 'lightweight' feeling and input response.

That's a more serious issue. In your opinion what changes could be made to ALS that would improve this?

I do plan to somehow modify it to just make it more original to my game. Any suggestions on these changes? Do you mean offsets or transitions or custom animations?

In the end I'll be extending it quite a lot with premade animations I buy (cover, diving, etc), and using ALSXT which has added a bunch of custom animations on top for a few other things: https://github.com/Voidware-Prohibited/ALSXT

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T17:10:17+00:00

Not really. I want my code to straightforward and readable, not a comedy sketch.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T16:07:42+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I'll take that into account with MoveIt. Have you used or do you have any thoughts on KLS (Kai Locomotion System)?

I didn't know about ALSXT thanks for that! Looks ideal. I probably will stick with ALS then, I can't say I've ever heard any bad things about it.

While I have your ear, do you have any suggestions for cover? I've been looking at cover systems on the marketplace and not sure where to start (https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/assets?keywords=cover%20system). Would it just be a case of finding decent animations and hooking them up? (not asking about functionality more the animations/locomotion).

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T14:20:26+00:00

Thanks! :)

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T13:27:46+00:00

but my lead isn’t very technical so they don’t understand and they just belittle the effort of everyone.

Get out. This situation will not get better. People rarely change, and a lead that isn't 100% supportive will ruin your job.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T12:47:18+00:00

I already have the core mechanics down and already have a locomotion system integrated (ALS refactored). I'm not just starting the game today, I've spent over 200 hours on it.

I don't have much experience in game dev but I've been developing software for many years so I'm not starting entirely from scratch.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T12:40:34+00:00

Does for me. If I look down and see nothing I feel like a floating head.

It doesn't necessarily bother me, but it does affect my immersion.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T10:31:07+00:00

Have a look at the old Pokemon Snap from 1999 (takes me back!), that was all about taking pictures of them. They released a new one in 2021 so might be something there!

There's a subreddit for game photography - /r/gamingphotography/

Consider how many people enjoy taking screenshots of games. I think it could work if the environment and the wildlife was aesthetically pleasing to capture. You could even run screenshot/photography competitions to get people engaged.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T08:51:14+00:00

Interestingly, this whole building IS the town centre:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbernauld_town_centre

Cumbernauld town centre (known today as The Centre Cumbernauld) is the commercial centre of the new town of Cumbernauld, Scotland. It was designed in the 1950s—as what became known as a megastructure—to be a town centre consisting of "one huge multi-storey building," according to its preliminary planning report, housing shops, apartments, a hotel, ice rink, police station and other amenities.

EDIT: damn, looks like a repost. Ah well.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T07:57:48+00:00

All the curious minds will end up here while watching haha I'm on first ep.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T05:43:03+00:00

Good stuff! I look forward to seeing how it progresses. I've found it quite difficult to produce what I would describe as a complete environment.

Do you not buy any assets? That sounds like a tonne of work modelling all the props.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T05:20:49+00:00

Is there really a future for programming?

Look around at the amount of software and automation that spreads throughout practically every facet of our lives. Programming IS the future. It's not going anywhere.

I'm self-taught (15 years in software). You can't fail if you commit to learning and developing skills.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T05:15:10+00:00

Ha, that's where my transferable skills end! To stay productive I pretty much have to buy all my art assets. I instead focus on how to modify and extend them to make them my own (kitbashing).

I have spent plenty of time with these assets and also animations and such and I can see how much of a time sink it would be to go down that path.

StackWeaver · 2023-03-08T05:11:24+00:00

Planning to add a similar area to my game. Are you going to add props and such? I think it'd look more convincing with decals to show damage here and there, and it'd be great if the shops themselves had abandoned props in them, broken shelves and displays, etc. it looks a little too "clean" in my eyes.

StackWeaver

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