Development: Kennedy, Dylan
Documentation: Kennedy, Dylan
Overview of Enemy AI and mechanics
Enemy spawning begins once the main level has loaded, with a 5-second delay before the first wave starts. Each subsequent wave also has a 5-second delay before it begins. Waves are defined through a data table, allowing manual setup of enemy types and their distribution, which must total 100% per wave. The system starts with a fixed pattern: Wave 1 always includes only basic slime enemies, Wave 5 features only charger enemies, and Wave 10 entirely of ranged enemies. This can be expanded upon to support a wider variety of enemy types. Before enemies are spawned, two main checks are performed. The first ensures that the total number of active enemies does not exceed the maximum allowed, which defaults to 24. The second determines spawn locations based on spawn points in the scene. Enemies can spawn directly at the closest or furthest points from the player, or any point in between. Alternatively, enemies can spawn within a radius around the spawn point, though this is set to 0 by default. A new wave begins when the timer runs out or when all current enemies have been eliminated.
These are the standard and most common enemy type that the player will encounter. They will chase after the player in hordes, inflicting melee damage when within close range. Fodder enemies have low health, making them easily dispatchable. However, they make up for it with their speed, and their ability to swarm the player as a horde.
The ranged bomber will keep at a distance from the player, launching aerial strikes to the player’s position. Similar to the exploding charger, this enemy has a medium health and low speed.
Similar to the melee fodder enemy, the exploding charger will chase after the player. However, when within close range, this enemy will explode and severely damage the player alongside anything within the blast area. The player must shoot the exploding charger from long range in order to avoid it’s blast radius. This enemy has a medium amount of health, however their movement speed is slow.
While not an enemy by standard definition, Enraged is a buff which can be given to enemies to make them more deadly.