Havok is adding an AI middleware SDK to its portfolio, called Havok AI, aimed at providing pathfinding and character interaction tools in dynamic game environments.
Havok AI's new SDK features a nav mesh generator -- the company claims it generates optimal nav meshes "in seconds" from complex levels to support rapid iteration.
The SDK also features fully-integrated dynamic pathfinding, with an additional layered dynamic avoidance technology. Havok says it can handle thousands of moving obstacles in real-time with high fidelity.
Havok AI also includes a hierarchical, multithreaded pathfinder that the company says is optimized for each major platform. It incorporates a predictive local steering module aimed to complement the dynamic pathfinding -- the company says characters can predict the movement of obstacles and act accordingly, to better avoid congestion issues in dynamic environments.
Havok AI is also designed to integrate out-of-the-box with Havok Physics, Destruction, Animation, and Behavior. It's available as part of Havok 6.5 suite.
"Havok AI represents a natural extension of our portfolio of run-time technologies," says Havok VP of development David Coghlan. "It provides a focused set of services and technologies that help enable plausible, engaging and creative in-game characters as well as delivering significant productivity gains during production."
