| Pathfinding is one of
the key elements of AI and manages the basic ability of
the NPC to move through the world . Morrowind essentially
uses two forms of pathfinding:
The AStar algorithm is a common, but effective and
efficient, path-finding algorithm enhanced in Morrowind
with the use of pre-generated grids. The grid paths
and points can be modified in the ES Construction Set
quite easily. Whether the developer wishes to add points
and paths, or remove them, this can be readily accomplished
using the construction set. Once in the game, the characters
use various turn-smoothing routines and dynamics to
give them more "life-like" motions when they
travel along these paths.
Also incorporated in the game is a robotic sensor system,
which gives the characters their only sense of "sight".
Potentially there are many areas that are not mapped
with grids, or cases where the NPC must navigate outside
of an existing grid. They then switch to this robotic
form of obstacle detection. This helps them identify
areas where they can safely navigate and more or less
stay on a clear path through the game environment.
I believe that this diary entry has become overly long,
so I'll conclude here. I truly hope that you have as
much fun with "my" creatures as I have had
in making them, and that as a result your game experience
is unsurpassed!
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