Hello, Pilots and Tacticians! (As this is more technical news)
One of the biggest challenges in Battle of BackYard has been the complex verticality and clutter of our battlefield. From soaring over rooftops to squeezing through half-open windows and navigating tight indoor spaces, the environment demands a truly 3D-capable pathfinding system. Today, we’re excited to share some major progress on this front!
Pathfinding in a Fully 3D World
Creating a pathfinding system that handles the vertical complexity of Battle of BackYard was no small task.
- Dynamic Updates: The pathfinding system adapts in real time to changes in the environment. When doors open, things break, or obstacles are introduced, bots need to adjust their paths and navigate the new layout seamlessly.
- True 3D Navigation: Our bots don’t just need to move left and right—they climb ut also dive, and weave through the air like real pilots. This ensures they remain competitive and unpredictable, whether they’re flying around the house or sneaking through a narrow garage door.
Optimization and Scale
We’re thrilled to announce that the core system is complete, and now we’re focused on optimization. Our goal is to support up to 63 bots in a single match without compromising performance. Whether it’s a chaotic dogfight or a calculated tactical mission, bots will operate efficiently, giving players a thrilling experience every time.
What You can see below are two sets of generated paths. Blue one in "raw" based upon traversable-untraversable grid.
That one is then corrected to achieve more streamlined version (green one) that is optimized for AI.
Until next time, keep flying high and watch out for those windows!