Four Cool Ways to Use Neural Networks in Games

In our book, AI for Game Developers, we cover many different AI techniques that are used in games. Many of the techniques we cover, such as chasing and evading, pathfinding, finite state machines, and rules-based systems, among others, have obvious applications in games. However, some of the other techniques we cover, such as neural networks, genetic algorithms, and Bayesian techniques, are not as familiar and thus their applications in games may not be as obvious. Nonetheless, these latter techniques offer compelling capabilities when applied in games and they are quickly gaining popularity, as evidenced by their appearances in game development literature, conferences, and indeed the games. Throughout our book we give you multiple code examples and additional ideas of how you can apply all of the techniques we cover in your own games.