TAGLINE Elevate your Unreal Engine skills with This Essential Guide to AI-Driven Game Development! KEY FEATURES ● Comprehensive coverage of AI techniques and their Unreal Engine implementation ● Practical hands-on exercises and real-world examples for seamless AI integration ● Covers all important AI workflows in Unreal Engine DESCRIPTION In the rapidly evolving world of game development, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your Unreal Engine projects is no longer optional—it’s essential. Mastering AI for Unreal Engine is your definitive guide to unlocking the transformative power of AI, propelling your games beyond the ordinary and into the realm of cutting-edge, immersive experiences. Through a step-by-step approach, you will explore a wide range of AI techniques, including pathfinding, behavior trees, perception systems, and the powerful Environment Query System (EQS). Each chapter delves into the theoretical underpinnings of these AI components, followed by hands-on exercises and real-world examples that demonstrate their integration within Unreal Engine. We will learn to create intelligent, dynamic, and engaging game experiences by leveraging the power of AI. What sets this book apart is its deep dive into emerging AI frameworks like the Mass Framework, giving you a strategic edge in adopting the latest trends and technologies that are shaping the future of gaming. You’ll learn how to optimize your AI systems, enhance performance, and master debugging techniques critical for smooth, efficient development processes. Mastering AI for Unreal Engine doesn’t just teach you AI—it empowers you to innovate, create intelligent game worlds, and stand out in the fiercely competitive game development landscape. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN ● Set up and navigate Unreal Engine to establish a strong foundation for AI development. ● Learn Blueprints, create class Blueprints, and use Blueprint communication for interactive AI components. ● Build AI characters, and master navigation meshes and pathfinding for dynamic movement. ● Create complex AI behaviors using Behavior Trees and Blackboard components. ● Implement AI Perception to add sight and hearing, making your AI characters more aware and reactive. ● Use State Trees to manage AI states with evaluators, tasks, and transitions. ● Leverage the Environmental Query System (EQS) to enable AI to make context-aware decisions. ● Debug and optimize AI with Unreal’s visual logging and debugging tools. ● Explore advanced AI design techniques like Data Oriented Design, Mass AI, and ZoneGraph. WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? This book is tailored for game developers, aspiring designers, and anyone interested in integrating AI into Unreal Engine projects. Suitable for beginners to experienced professionals, it’s ideal for students, hobbyists, and industry pros looking to enhance their AI skills. Whether you're creating Non-Player Characters (NPCs), designing complex decision-making systems, or advancing game AI, this book provides the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction to Unreal Engine 2. Unreal Blueprints 3. Understanding AI in Games 4. Navigation and Pathfinding 5. Behavior Trees and Blackboards 6. AI Perception 7. StateTree 8. Environment Query System 9. SmartObjects 10. Debugging AI in Unreal Engine 11. Mass Framework and Future Trends in GameAI Index

Take your game development skills to the next level with one of the best engines on the market About This Book Build an entire AAA game level throughout the book Take your C++ scripting skills to the next level and use them extensively to build the game An advanced practical guide with a tutorial style approach that will help you make the best of Unreal engine 4 Who This Book Is For This book is for game developers who have a basic knowledge of Unreal Engine and C++ scripting knowledge. If you want to take the leap from a casual game developer to a full-fledged professional game developer with Unreal Engine 4, this is the book for you. What You Will Learn Script your player controls in C++ Build a superb and engaging level with advanced design techniques Program AI with C++ Use Cascade to add life to your games Use custom shaders and advanced shading techniques to make things pretty Implement an awesome UI in the game Control gameplay using data tables In Detail Unreal Engine 4 has garnered a lot of attention in the gaming world because of its new and improved graphics and rendering engine, the physics simulator, particle generator, and more. This book is the ideal guide to help you leverage all these features to create state-of-the-art games that capture the eye of your audience. Inside we'll explain advanced shaders and effects techniques and how you can implement them in your games. You'll create custom lighting effects, use the physics simulator to add that extra edge to your games, and create customized game environments that look visually stunning using the rendering technique. You'll find out how to use the new rendering engine efficiently, add amazing post-processing effects, and use data tables to create data-driven gameplay that is engaging and exciting. By the end of this book, you will be able to create professional games with stunning graphics using Unreal Engine 4! Style and approach An advanced guide that will take you to the next level of developing games with Unreal engine with illustrative examples that will make you confident of creating customized professional level games on your won.

Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume I: Introduction to Level Design with Unreal Engine 3 is your start-to-finish guide to modding and level design with the world’s hottest new gaming engine: Unreal Engine 3. Here’s everything you need to know to jumpstart your skills and create stunning new content and games for consoles and PCs alike! Your authors aren’t just the world’s #1 Unreal game development trainers: They’ve even built the training modules that shipped with Unreal Tournament 3: Limited Collector’s Edition. Now, working with the full cooperation of Unreal Engine 3’s creators, Epic Games, they introduce every facet of game development—from simple level creation to materials, lighting, and terrain...even advanced level optimization and streaming! Packed with tips, hands-on tutorials, and expert techniques, Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume I is all you need to create levels that look spectacular and work brilliantly...levels that gamers just can’t stop playing! You’ll find expert tips on Understanding the game development process from start to finish Planning projects for greater efficiency, faster delivery, and better quality Crafting worlds with stunning beauty and clarity Bringing amazing realism to characters, objects, and props Making the most of Unreal Engine 3’s massively upgraded lighting system Scripting complex gameplay quickly and easily with Unreal Kismet Building animated game assets with Unreal Matinee Testing game performance during live gameplay Optimizing levels by improving the interaction between lights and surfaces Using advanced level streaming to create vast, rich, highly playable levels Winner of the Front Line Award for best game development book of 2009!

Mastering the Art of Unreal Engine 4 - Blueprints takes a concise, clear, informative but fun approach to developing Unreal Engine 4, without touching a single line of code. By using this book, you'll be creating various small projects completely in blueprint. From this book, you'll be equipped with the know-how you'll need to create the game of your dreams. On top of mastering the Blueprints system in Unreal Engine 4, you'll also learn the secrets behind getting the most out of the beast of an engine.

Achieve stunning photorealistic environments and create cinematic masterpieces by combining environment art, animation, VFX and cinematography with Unreal Engine Specialist, Giovanni Visai Key Features Implement advanced shaders, effects, and post-processing to make your environment look cinematic Explore techniques for achieving realistic graphic complexity with incredible performance Create your own materials and enhance the visuals of your gaming environment Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Book DescriptionAs Unreal Engine 5 continues to conquer all industries thanks to its real-time technology, UE skills are becoming more sought after than ever. This three-part book covers all the processes behind the creation of a stunning environment in UE 5. Starting with the steps for installing the game engine and learning about its potential, you’ll quickly progress toward generating a variety of different upwards scaling outputs, each bigger than the previous one. After completing the first part and getting realistic shots of a single object, you’ll delve into the world of landscapes, procedural material and foliage, the Landmass plugin, and water tools by creating an environment using Megascan assets. At this point, you’ll know everything you need to create a fascinating and realistic environment. The final part of this book will teach you how to craft cinematic shots by working with cinematic tools, post processing, and framing tools, and by rendering a photorealistic shot in the last chapter. By the end of this Unreal Engine book, you'll be able to create outstanding and realistic environments using the powerful tools provided by UE as well as have an understanding of the importance of filming and composition in world building.What you will learn Generate a Master Material to create hundreds of different material instances Explore lighting principles and apply them to UE lighting systems Evaluate the pros and cons of real-time rendering in the world-building process Build massive landscapes with procedural materials, heightmap, landmass, and water Populate an environment with realistic assets using Foliage and Megascan Master the art of crafting stunning shots with Sequencer Enhance visual quality with Post Process Volume and Niagara Produce a photorealistic shot using the Movie Render Queue Who this book is for If you are a creative director, designer, or creator with a passion for technology and CGI, this UE 5 book is for you. Game developers and tech artists will also benefit from this book as it can help them understand an environment artist’s workflow and how to optimize performance.

Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume II: Advanced Level Design Concepts with Unreal Engine 3 is your start-to-finish guide to state-of-the-art Unreal Tournament 3 modding and level design. Here’s everything you need to know to take your game design skills to the next level, creating content with breakthrough depth and interactivity! Your authors aren’t just the world’s #1 Unreal game development trainers: They’ve built the training mods that shipped with Unreal Tournament. Now, working with the full cooperation of Unreal Engine 3’s creators, Epic Games, they introduce innovative, pro-quality techniques you’ll find nowhere else: outstanding solutions for everything from particle effects to physics, materials to cinematics. Packed with tips, hands-on tutorials, and expert insight, Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume II will help you take Unreal Tournament 3 and Unreal Engine 3 to the limit...and then blow right by it! You’ll find expert tips on Creating advanced materials that leverage the full power of UnrealEd’s Material Editor Bringing levels to life with objects affected by gravity, collisions, and player influence Creating fire, smoke, sparks, and more with Unreal Engine 3’s particle effects system Building custom user interfaces, including Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) that update constantly Using SoundCues to mix, modulate, crossfade, and attenuate sounds Generating real-time camera-based effects, including depth of field, motion blur, and color adjustment Using post process effects to quickly transform a scene’s look and feel without changing existing materials or textures Animating characters and vehicles that move with unprecedented realism Creating in-game cinematics that develop your characters and move your story forward

An advanced guide to the features of Unreal Engine 3, this book describes the programming and modding techniques of the latest version of the industry's leading engine.

Discover the power of storytelling with Unreal Engine 5's real-time technology, exploring storyboarding, character creation, world building, animating using sequencers, and much more with the help of an Unreal Authorized Instructor Key Features Learn in detail about filmmaking techniques and understand how to tie that into your Unreal Engine workflow Generate and animate near-photorealistic actors using the innovative MetaHuman technology Build expansive worlds with Nanite and Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections technology Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Book DescriptionVirtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5 is the first Unreal Engine book to guide you through the complete process of virtual film production. Encompassing the full spectrum of filmmaking, this book demonstrates the use of an industry-standard tool used by studios such as Disney, ILM, DNEG, and Framestore. Walking through the process systematically, you’ll collect references and create a simple storyboard to plan your shots. You'll create virtual environments, import 3D models and add materials and textures to build photorealistic, dynamic worlds. You'll also create actors using highly customizable MetaHumans, understand how to import, re-target, and animate them. You’ll bring it all together with cinematic lighting and camera animation before exporting your film. By the end of this book, you’ll have discovered new tools for your toolkit to work on your virtual film projects in Unreal Engine 5, leveraging Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHuman technology.What you will learn Grasp the principles of photography and the art of storytelling Collect references and create storyboards Discover Unreal Engine's hidden features and useful keyboard shortcuts Explore the capabilities of Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHumans Adopt cinematic techniques to achieve professional-looking shots Creatively apply Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections techniques Use multiple virtual cameras and apply post-production techniques Implement best practices for optimization, post processing, and rendering Who this book is for Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate filmmaker, 3D artist, animator, visual effects artist, or virtual production professional with just basic knowledge of the Unreal Engine, this book is designed to help you enter the world of virtual films and animations. While prior experience with the Unreal Engine would be beneficial, a deep working knowledge is not essential, as the book introduces the relevant tools and features needed throughout the activities.

Unleash the Creative Power of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) with "Mastering CGI" In a world where visual storytelling and digital experiences dominate, mastering Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) is your key to unlocking limitless creative possibilities. "Mastering CGI" is your comprehensive guide to diving into the exciting world of CGI, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to create stunning visuals, animations, and immersive digital environments. Your Gateway to CGI Mastery Whether you're a digital artist, filmmaker, game developer, or simply someone with a passion for visual storytelling, CGI is a skill that can set you apart in today's competitive landscape. "Mastering CGI" is designed to demystify the complexities of CGI and provide you with a clear roadmap to becoming a CGI master. What You Will Explore · Foundations of CGI: Begin your journey with a solid understanding of CGI fundamentals, including 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering. · Software and Tools: Discover the essential CGI software and tools, along with practical guidance on how to use them effectively. · Creating 3D Models: Learn the art of designing and sculpting 3D objects, characters, and environments from scratch. · Texture Mapping and Shading: Master the techniques of applying textures and materials to breathe life into your 3D creations. · Lighting and Rendering: Explore the intricacies of lighting your scenes and rendering them to achieve photorealistic or stylized results. · Animation and Visual Effects: Dive into the world of CGI animation, from character rigging and keyframe animation to creating captivating visual effects. · Real-World Applications: Gain insights into how CGI is used in various industries, from film and advertising to architecture and virtual reality. Why "Mastering CGI" Is Essential · Comprehensive Coverage: This book provides a comprehensive and beginner-friendly introduction to CGI, making it suitable for those with no prior experience as well as those looking to enhance their skills. · Practical Guidance: Loaded with step-by-step tutorials, practical tips, and hands-on exercises, "Mastering CGI" ensures that you can apply what you learn immediately. · Expert Insights: Benefit from the expertise of CGI professionals who share their knowledge and real-world experiences, providing you with valuable insights and industry secrets. · Unlock Your Creative Potential: Whether you dream of creating breathtaking visual effects, immersive virtual worlds, or memorable characters, CGI is the tool that will turn your creative visions into reality. · Stay Ahead: In an age where CGI is integral to entertainment, marketing, and design, mastering this skill will keep you at the forefront of creative innovation. Your Journey to CGI Mastery Begins Here "Mastering CGI" is your ticket to unlocking the full potential of Computer-Generated Imagery. Whether you aspire to be a digital artist, a VFX wizard, or a CGI powerhouse, this book will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration you need to bring your wildest creative visions to life. "Mastering CGI" is the ultimate resource for individuals looking to gain expertise in the world of Computer-Generated Imagery. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this book will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create stunning visuals, animations, and immersive digital experiences. Don't wait; embark on your journey to CGI mastery today! © 2023 Cybellium Ltd. All rights reserved. www.cybellium.com

Let your imagination run wild in the world of Unreal Technology. Mastering Unreal Technology: The Art of Level Design knows no boundaries as it shows you how to build custom mods, maps and levels with the Unreal engine. Its tutorial format will give you immediate results through the tips and demos provided from the industry's top level designers. Learn to create your own characters, weapons and gaming environments, as well as how to go beyond the Unreal environment and export custom elements from 3D modeling applications. A CD that contains the Unreal Engine, graphics, examples and code is also included, giving you everything you need to create custom levels in Unreal or build your own games and virtual environments. Mastering Unreal Technology will help put you on the cutting-edge of gaming technology.