GDC: Havok Announces AI Middleware SDK

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."