Book Image

Unreal Development Kit Beginner's Guide

By : Richard Moore
Book Image

Unreal Development Kit Beginner's Guide

By: Richard Moore

Overview of this book

Unreal Development Kit (UDK) is the free version of the award-winning Unreal Engine 3. It is used to create a wide variety of games ranging from amateur to professional standard next generation AAA titles. This book will show you exactly how to create an enjoyable and immersive game environment using the UDK. You will learn how to implement, level design, lighting, environmental effects, movement, terrain, map creation, item placement, kismet, materials and complex event sequences. You will work through the level design process from navigating round the editor to learning how to develop a fully playable environment. You will quickly master all of the engine’s key tools that are accessible through Unreal Engine 3. You will then start putting together your first level using step-by-step instructions. Next we will implement real world features such as dynamic lighting and shadows, particle effects, physics, terrain, item placement and advanced AI/bot pathing. Finally you will learn how to use UDK’s cutting edge high level scripting. By the end of this book you will be equipped with the skills to create an entertaining and imaginative game world.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
Unreal Development Kit 3
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Pop Quiz Answers
Index

Time for action – adding path nodes


Bots are stupid. All they know to do is point at the nearest target and shoot, or run for the nearest pickup that's in sight. They're great at getting to things they can see. But how do they get from room to room? If their health is low, how do they find their way to a health pickup? Well, Unreal generates a path network that connects everything in your level. That way, if a bot has no one to shoot, or is low on health, they know how to run through hallways to different rooms where there are goodies for them to pick up.

  1. To start, click on the Build Paths button at the top of the screen:

  2. Paths are automatically generated, connecting every player start in the level. You can view your path network by clicking on the black arrow that's at the top of a viewport and clicking on Paths, or you can just press the hotkey P.

  3. Any player starts that are in view of each other should now have a line connecting them.

  4. But what do we do in a situation where PlayerStart nodes...