Level Up.pdf

292 LEVEL 11 They All Want You Dead
A quick enemy moves in bursts. They can move blindingly fast — so fast that
it may seem unfair to the player, but you can balance that by limiting their
attacks and moves. Help the player see quick moves coming by playing a
warning animation. This will allow the player to dodge, block, or strike before
the enemy completes its quick move.
What is your enemy ’ s movement style? Does your enemy charge the
player like a bat out of hell? Does it zigzag erratically to avoid taking fire?
Does it make a beeline and then retreat? Does it jump from cover to cover?
Does it crawl on the walls to ambush the player from above? Does it run
away and never fight at all 8 ? Knowing your enemy ’ s movement styles will not
only determine their attacks but also their personality.
Determine whether your enemy moves randomly or predictably. Avoid
extremes and insert variety. Too random and the player might feel the
enemy moves too arbitrarily. Too predictable and an enemy feels too
“ game - y.”
The best solution doesn ’ t include unpredictability. For Crash Bandicoot 2,
Naughty Dog tried creating more behavioral AI with less simple patterns.
Focus groups found them inferior. The players liked the challenge of figuring
out the enemy ’ s patterns. On the flipside, players like unpredictability in
sports games. Predictable patterns become “ holes ” for the player to exploit,
which ruins the experience.
Coordinating several enemies ’ movements adds complexity. Consider how
your enemies behave and group together during a fight. Some enemies can
use flocking behavior to create realistic group movement.
Look at the movement behaviors of
different animals, birds, and insects
for inspiration. Humans usually move
in straight lines. Predatory mammals
like wolves and tigers move in looping
arcs as they circle their prey. Crabs
move sideways rather than in straight
lines. Birds fly in swooping patterns
as they catch updrafts to aid their
flight. Insects zigzag as they course
correct during flight.
8 Personally, I think enemies are more fun when you can fight them.