Virtools Releases Virtools Dev 2.5, Announces AI Add-On

Virtools has announced the release of the lastest version of its 3D development environment, Virtools Dev 2.5, and announced that it will be coming out with an AI add-on pack for it called Virtools AI Pack. Virtools Dev 2.5 contains the new Virtools Scripting Language (VSL) to complement the two existing development interfaces: the Schematic Editor (a graphical user interface) and the SDK (low level access for C++ programming). VSL provides an interface to the SDK directly in Dev, and comes with an intelligent coloring system, context-sensitive completion and function arguments display. VSL offers a debugging mode with breakpoint support, watchable variables with value editing, and step-by-step debugging. Other new features in Virtools Dev 2.5 include the Variable Manager, multi-level undo and the VSL building block, the ability to create blended dynamic or static animation at runtime, improved multi-collision detection, better handling of floor constraints, improved texture rendering, and the ability to set floor constraints for objects. The separate AI add-on pack is a library that gives NPCs sensory abilities and the ability to react to game conditions (follow, run away, hide, etc.), and contains tools for 3D pathfinding. The AI add-on pack contains standard Virtools building blocks, with parameters for adjusting criteria such as stealth, auditory capabilities and group dynamics. Pricing information for can be found at http://www.virtools.com/solutions/ordernow/virtools_publishing.asp.