AI [WIP] SoulLink Artificial Intelligence System

Videos
Some video tutorials showing some basic AI setup in the current alpha version can be found here:

https://rumble.com/vn7fao-soullink-ai-tutorial-video-1-basic-setup.html
https://rumble.com/vn7oxc-soullink-ai-tutorial-video-2-interactions.html
https://rumble.com/vn7qks-soullink-ai-tutorial-video-3-time-of-day-tasks.html

Playable Demos
Dragon Strike is a playable game in alpha testing that uses both SoulLink Spawner and the SoulLink AI system:

https://magiqueprod.itch.io/dragon-strike

The first playable demo showing some alpha melee combat and boss battle feature. (Note: uses old LifeLink branding)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ro9xtxnjy7p31t5/LifeLinkAI-UndeadBattle.zip?dl=0

Compatibility
Unity 2019 and above

Discord
Follow along with development on Discord: https://discord.gg/ncW9UmU

 

Here are some more details on some specific features of interest that you will find in SoulLink AI:

Sensors
Sensors allow the AI to act and react to its environment. The most common sensor is an Interact Sensor, which allows the AI to detect interactable objects in the game world and decide whether or not to perform an interaction. For example, an interactable object might be stalks of corn in a farmer's field. When the AI detects the interactable object, it may stop what it was doing and go off and pick some corn. Another example would be a chair. If the Ai is passing by a chair, it may decide to go sit down and take a rest.

Other sensors will be for detecting sound and scent. Additional possibilities may be developed or could be added by game developers.

Task Scheduler
Setup complex schedules for your AI so that they may behave like real individuals in your game world. AI may have multiple schedules with each schedule having multiple task lists. Tasks can be performed sequentially, randomly, or by time of day. You may give your AI multiple schedules and switch between them based on game circumstances. For example, you may have a Morning, Afternoon, and Evening schedule for your AI. Perhaps your farmer wakes up in the morning, fixes breakfast and then goes into the fields to perform tasks on the farm (e.g. picking/planting crops, feeding the animals, etc.). In the afternoon your farmer goes to the market to buy or sell goods. In the evening, he goes to the local tavern and has a meal and a drink before returning home to sleep for the night.

Fade In/Out
The AI can be configured to fade in when they spawn and fade out when they die.

Start and Death Spawns
You can define a list of prefabs to spawn when the AI starts (typically when it is spawned) and when it dies. Start spawns can be used for cool effects as the AI spawns in.

Animation Sequences
An animation sequence is a list of one or more animation clips that are independent of the Animator Controller that can be played at various times. For example, an animation sequence can be defined to play when the AI is spawned. So, instead of the AI just spawning in an idle state, it could rise from the ground first. An example of this can be seen in the playable demo Undead Battle where the skeletons rise from the ground with a cloud of dust (using the Star Spawn feature for the dust). Animation sequences can also be used for interactions such as picking corn or sitting down in a chair. They are also utilized in end of phase for Boss AI.

Shake On Damaged
Configure your AI to shake when damage is applied to them. This is an effect seen in games like Dragon's Dogma.

RPG Module
The RPG module is included with SoulLink and allows you to define races, classes, attributes, skills, and abilities. You can create classes as templates for giving your AI specific starting skills and abilities. You can define leveling parameters and allow your AI to level up.

AI can mix Melee and Ranged Combat seamlessly
No need to define your AI as ranged or melee. Just define your AI's abilities, which can be a mix of ranged or melee, and your AI will decide how to use those abilities effectively.

AI can perform user-defined abilities
The same system to define your AI's ranged and melee combat attacks is also used to define other AI abilities such as buff/debuff spells.

Multiple Health Bars
Configure your AI to have multiple health bars. When one health bar is depleted, the AI can go into an end of phase state (described below) and then continues with a new health bar. Tick marks beneath the health bar show how many bars must be depleted before the enemy dies.

Attack Sets
After defining all your AI's abilities, you can group them into named sets, which you can switch between during combat or by a specific schedule.

End of Phase Actions
Configure your AI to perform actions when a health bar has been depleted. Each health bar can be configured to be an end-of-phase. If an end-of-phase is triggered, you can have the AI perform any number of actions such as playing an animation sequence, playing sounds, spawning effects, switching attack sets, etc. This allows you to have spectacular transitions in your battle before moving to the next phase.

Swimming
Configure your AI with the ability to swim in bodies of water.

Flying
Configure your AI with the ability to fly and remove the constraints of a typical nav mesh.

Wandering
Give your AI the wander task so that he may move about the game world. Freeform wandering lets your AI randomly pick wandering positions. Locations based wandering instructs your AI to move about the game world between specified game locations (e.g. Inn, Home, Farm, Camp, etc.). Finally, Waypoints moves your AI along specific predefined points (useful for patrolling).

However, while wandering is useful for some circumstances, giving your AI proper schedules is the best way to bring them to life so that they perform meaningful tasks instead of aimlessly moving about the world without purpose.

Companions
Allow your players to have one or more companion that travel with the player and assist with combat and completing quests.

Leaders
Configure some AI to be leaders that guide a player through the game world.

Spawning System
There will be a built-in spawning system that will allow you to randomly spawn AI dynamically around the player at
runtime based on various rules such as time of day, terrain textures, biomes, areas, terrain height, weather conditions, etc.

Auto Agrro
Mark your AI's as Auto Aggro and if they are engaged in combat then they will automatically aggro nearby allies.

Support AI
Add support abilities to your AI and they can buff and heal nearby allies during combat.

Note: This list is not complete and I will add items to it as development continues. Some of these features are still in development and not available in playable demos.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I'm currently working on the procedural AI spawning module. I plan to release this module separately on the store as SoulLink Spawner and it will also be included in the full SoulLink AI package as well.

 

Beta testing will be starting tomorrow for the SoulLink Spawner stand-alone asset. Join our discord channel to sign up for testing. Post your answers to the following questions in the General channel.

1. What is your preferred Unity version? (Minimum required is 2019 LTS)
2. What rendering pipeline do you use? (Built-In, URP, HDRP)
3. What AI system and version will you be testing with?
4. What terrain shader do you use? (Unity, MicroSplat, CTS, etc.)
5. What, if any, sky system are you using?
6. Do you use Dialogue System?
7. Do you use MapMagic?
8. Do you use Core GameKit?
9. Are there any specific integrations you hope SoulLink Spawner will support in the future?
10. Provide your computer specs: Windows version (32/64 bit), System RAM, and Video Card Specs

 

The Beta Test has officially started. I've released the first beta test package for those who have signed up for the test. There is still plenty of room for people who want to test the Spawner module. Hop on the Discord channel to sign up.

 

I'm looking into adding weather filters for SoulLink Spawner so that your spawning can be further controlled by the current weather conditions in your game. I believe this feature will be added before the end of the beta test and definitely for the official asset store release.

 

Beta testing for SoulLink Spawner will only be for this week. Saturday evening, testing will be closed and I will start preparing for an asset store release.

 

To encourage lots of testing this week, I will be giving away up to 3 SoulLink Spawner Licenses to the testers that I believe have helped the most and done the most to assist me in improving the asset during this week of testing. So, lots of testing, bug finding, and feedback will help get you the free license. If you have not signed up for the beta yet, it's not too late. I will still accept new testers until late Monday the 13th.

 

Even tho I know you are a "new publisher" I would have
zero hesitation in buying this asset and other if you make more.

To me I have many if not close to all " RPG " type systems.

Looking around tho GKC is the best, mostly because of the way it is written,
and the tons of options it has to make almost any type of game you can think of.
So I am looking forward to seeing integration with it.

Do you have any start price idea ?
Thanks.

 

I am still thinking about pricing. It will be competitive pricing and probably have a release date special price.

 

I should also add that you will receive a price cut on the AI solution if you purchase the Spawner solution because Spawner will be a part of the AI system.

 

I've added weather filters to the beta test and they are working for Enviro integration so far. Additional weather system integrations coming soon.

 

Here is a look at the improved interface.

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Happy New Year!

 

I'm currently in the process of creating a playable demo for the Spawner component, which will also include SoulLink AI. This demo is part of my final work to complete the Spawner component for release. Some of the assets I'm using for the demo are as follows:

SoulLink AI and Spawner
Enviro
Realistic FPS Prefab
Landscape Builder
Microsplat
Final IK
Protofactor Inc Creatures and Animals
Winter Environment - Nature Pack
Forest Environment - Dynamic Nature
Monster/Creature/Hero SFX
et. al.

 

Progress on the demo.

 

I'm in the process of adding integrations for Gaia for time of day and weather features.

 

I've added custom temperature system that can be used on all weather system integrations that don't have their own temperature feature. This unlocks the Temperature Weather filter for the spawner component.

 

Beta 1.3 has been released to testers. Here is the latest tutorial video:

 

As I am testing with a few different AI systems, I am finding that some AI systems do not play well with object pooling. The last thing I want to do is release a product that has issues with AI systems that people are going to buy it for. Spawner works with Emerald AI and SoulLink AI, which is not yet released. Initial testing with Invector FSM AI shows some spawning issues that need to be resolved.

It will be a huge benefit if people could post here what AI system they would like to use SoulLink Spawner with so that I can test against those systems and provide solutions.

 

I've added integration for Expanse sky system.

 

I want this for my own custom AI solution. Obviously not expecting you to do that integration though ;-)

The Universal AI publisher is also in a beta stage for a new update. He's very active with enabling integrations, maybe reach out to him.

 

I am now in the process of putting together the first release candidate for the SoulLink Spawner component. This involves updating all the documentation, creating new tutorial videos, and preparing all the asset store marketing materials. I anticipate about 1 week before I can submit to the store.

 

Here is a sneak peek of the upcoming playable demo that will showcase SoulLink Procedural AI Spawner as well as a pre-alpha version of the AI system

 

Progress has been good this week, but I'm not quite ready for a store submissions. I have to re-make my Quick Start Video and upgrade all the documentation still.

 

I'm preparing the SoulLink Procedural AI Spawner for store release. I've got about 90% of the work done and am mostly waiting now to see if my beta testers have any major issues with the release candidate.

 

SoulLink Spawner has been officially submitted to the asset store. According to Unity's confirmation e-mail, it could take 20-30 business days to get approved.

 

SoulLink Spawner has gone live on the asset store:

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/slug/217662

 

SoulLink Spawner now has its own officially released Unity Forum thread.

https://forum.unity.com/threads/released-soullink-procedural-ai-spawner.1264427/

 

The 10% launch discount for SoulLink Spawner ends today.

 

SoulLink Procedural AI Spawner Version 1.1.0 is in beta testing and adds Quest Machine and Polaris mesh terrain support. It also adds quest filters for spawns by biome and by area.

 

SoulLink procedural AI Spawner Version 1.1.0 is now live on the asset store.

 

SoulLink Procedural AI Spawner is part of the Procedural Worlds curated mega bundle that just went live. The sale will go from today until July 11th:

https://assetstore.unity.com/mega-bundles/procedural-worlds

 

I am on track to get alpha testing started on August 1st for SoulLink AI. Here is a teaser video showing some AI setup and a few of the basic features.

 

Alpha testing has officially started for SoulLink Artificial Intelligence System. To get into the alpha test you need to have a license for SoulLink Procedural AI Spawner. Direct message me on Discord with your invoice number and you can gain access to alpha testing. Currently, alpha testing focus is on basic AI setup using templates.

 

Try Dragon Strike, a game in alpha testing that utilizes both SoulLink Spawner and SoulLink AI.

https://magiqueprod.itch.io/dragon-strike

 

Magique Productions, Ltd. is sponsoring SoulLink Game Jam #2. Already we have over $3,000 in asset store prizes. This contest focuses on the upcoming SoulLink AI system and a fantasy game theme.

https://itch.io/jam/soullink-game-jam-2

 

The game jam started and we have 16 confirmed contestants. It's not too late to join. Just grab a SoulLink Spawner license and contact me on Discord for your tester access.

 

It's not too late to get into the SoulLink Game Jam #2. We have over $4,000 value in asset store prizes from the following great sponsors:

Procedural Worlds: https://canopy.procedural-worlds.com/

ArtenGame: www.artengame.com

3DForge: https://www.3dforge.co.za/

Pixel Crushers: https://www.pixelcrushers.com/

Toby Fredson: https://www.artstation.com/tobyfredson

UModeler, Inc.: https://assetstore.unity.com/publishers/26411

LowlyPoly: https://assetstore.unity.com/publishers/16677

Daelonik Artworks: http://www.daelonik.com/

Code Stage: https://assetstore.unity.com/publishers/3918

MalberS Animations: https://assetstore.unity.com/publishers/16163

Magic Sound Effects: https://assetstore.unity.com/publishers/52827

3D Haven: https://assetstore.unity.com/publishers/36677

Two Cubes: https://www.gamekitcontroller.com/

The contest is now open to use any licensed assets you own except competing AI products. The theme needs to be 3D fantasy, but that includes sci-fi fantasy as well as medieval fantasy.

 

SoulLink AI Beta Testing is just around the corner. If you are a current license holder of SoulLink Spawner, you may participate in the beta process. Please direct message me on Discord with your invoice # in order to gain access to the testing channel for beta access. Beta will be starting within the next month.

Please be prepared to share the following information in the testing channel if you are going to be doing serious beta testing:


Unity Version
Rendering Pipeline? Built-in/URP/HDRP
Sky/Weather System
Player Controller
Using Dialogue System or Quest Machine? Yes/No
Using FinalIK? Yes/No
Using Playmaker? Yes/No
Please list any other notable assets you will be using that may require integration.

Discord server: https://discord.gg/MPtEBb5gh