Implementing a Simple 3D Waypoint Grid for Efficient Pathfinding in Eve: Valkyrie
Allan Bruce · 2024
Eve: Valkyrie is a first-person, space shooter designed from the ground-up specifically for VR. Early versions of Valkyrie included using basic AI bots to fill out sixteen player battles for QA and performance testing purposes. During development, the decision was made to include bots in the shipped game to fill empty spaces in matchmaking. To achieve this, we needed a pathfinding solution for them to fly more intelligently and avoid obstacles. In this chapter we discuss how we implemented a simple 3D waypoint system for efficient 3D pathfinding. We also show how this was used to determine cover locations and guide pathfinds to ensure bots do not fly in open space and be easy targets.