ABOUT THE PROJECT
(Video To Be Added)
INTRODUCTION
The rapid growth of the gaming industry has led to an increased demand for computational power, especially for artificial intelligence (AI) operations that simulate realistic behavior. This project addresses the challenge of optimizing AI performance by designing a system that reduces computational overhead while maintaining complex AI behavior. By leveraging Unity’s Data-Oriented Technology Stack (DOTS) and integrating Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) with the Entity-Component-System (ECS) architecture, the goal is to enable efficient operation of large numbers of AI entities simultaneously.
METHODOLOGY
1. Environment-Embedded State Machine
The environment-embedded state machine integrates flow fields, grid systems, and state transitions to dynamically assign AI behavior based on their position in the game world. This approach minimizes real-time computation by predefining states for specific grid locations, allowing AI entities to respond efficiently to environmental changes.
2. OOP and ECS Integration
A hybrid framework combining Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and the Entity-Component-System (ECS) architecture was implemented. OOP handles complex AI details like visual performance and animations, while ECS manages large-scale data processing and property updates. This integration bridges the strengths of both paradigms, enabling scalable and efficient AI behavior.
3. Tools and Technologies
Unity’s Data-Oriented Technology Stack (DOTS) was used for ECS implementation, supported by the Burst compiler and Job System for parallelized, high-performance execution. Additional tools like a static resource center for data management and custom shaders for graphical enhancements were utilized to optimize the game’s performance and visual appeal.
DELIVERY
AI System – A system that integrates OOP and ECS to handle large-scale, complex AI interactions efficiently with the help of a environment embeded state machine. This system is designed to reduce computational power requirements and simplify AI behavior implementation for developers.
Game Demo – A simulation game featuring a slime community that showcases the AI system’s capabilities. The demo highlights the system’s potential to handle large numbers of AI entities with minimal performance impact while providing an engaging user experience.