Autodesk Unveils Gameware Navigation

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Autodesk [1] has revealed the next-generation of its artificial intelligence (AI) middleware, Autodesk Gameware Navigation [2]. Gameware Navigation is the successor of Autodesk Kynapse AI middleware, which empowers game developers [3] to create believable character behaviors for video games. This technology has been re-engineered to offer developers full source code access, a more accessible API (application programming interface) and remote visual debugging tools.

A real-time dynamic and user-modifiable NavMesh, enable the creation of AI that behaves realistically to complex game events.

To date, Autodesk AI middleware has been implemented in at least 100 games to empower the creation of compelling behaviors for non-player characters. Using this technology, developers can help improve game play, while reducing development costs and cutting time to market.

Multi-sector streaming at runtime using previously generated NavMesh data gives predictable results while using less system resources.

"All of the tools in our Autodesk Gameware product line have been designed to streamline the game making process and reduce the need for costly custom solutions to common production challenges. With Gameware Navigation, we have overhauled our existing AI technology to make the algorithms faster and more efficient, and the API more accessible and intuitive. The result will be a tool that is much faster and easier to use, so programmers can spend more time on high-impact areas of development such as gameplay and design," said Marc Petit, senior vice president of Media & Entertainment at Autodesk.

Gameware Navigation allows AI characters to adapt to highly complex level designs through special NavMesh linking techniques.

Gameware Navigation provides automatic NavMesh generation, pathfinding and path following in complex game environments. Character and obstacle avoidance, dynamic NavMesh and swappable sectors are supported out-of-the-box. The middleware also offers developers extensible, remote visual debugging tools with record/playback capability, improving the speed and quality of AI iteration.

To learn more about Autodesk Gameware Navigation, or to register for a free webinar visit: http://gameware.autodesk.com [4]. Autodesk will also showcase the new technology at the Vienna Game AI Conference on Sept. 18 and 19 in Vienna, Austria.

Game developers can apply for the public beta version of Autodesk Gameware Navigation 2013 at http://gameware.autodesk.com/navigation [2]. Autodesk anticipates the middleware will be commercially available during fall 2012.

Source: Autodesk