Hello, ghost hunters and residents of Bridgemoor!
In my first devlog, I shared the bare bones of the AI system for the NPCs. Today, I'm excited to take a giant step forward and show how I'm transforming the citizens of Bridgemoor from simple "programmed robots" into individuals with a semblance of autonomy and free will. As a solo developer, my goal is to make interactions with the AI feel more organic and unpredictable, making each encounter unique and challenging.
Random and Unpredictable Paths
The days of pre-determined routes are over! I’ve implemented a new system where each NPC, upon reaching a crossroads or junction, chooses their path completely at random. This means the route an NPC takes is now unpredictable — you’ll never know exactly where they’ll be after a few minutes.
This simple change has a huge impact on the game’s atmosphere. The city of Bridgemoor feels more alive, dynamic, and surprising. Instead of predicting the movements of a “little robot,” the player feels like they are in an environment inhabited by beings with a sense of choice — even if it’s a random one.
Reaction to Threats: Fight or Flight? It’s Their Choice
The biggest evolution, however, is the threat reaction system. From now on, when an NPC is attacked by the player, they don’t follow a pre-defined “flee” or “fight” script. Instead, they make a decision on the spot.
Desperate Escape: An NPC may be overcome by panic and run as fast as possible, trying to find a safe place to hide.
Fight for Survival: Another, braver or more desperate, may turn against the aggressor and fight back.
The decision between fighting or fleeing is based on several internal factors, such as their “fear” level, their type (for example, a guard is more likely to fight than a regular civilian), and the amount of damage taken. This adds a layer of strategy and unpredictability for the player, who can never be completely sure how an NPC will react to an attack.
I hope these updates make playing Ecto Corporations even more exciting and terrifying. I’m working hard to ensure that every element of the AI contributes to the feeling of being in a living, dangerous city.
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