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long with the Math primer, I am also working through Chapter 3 of Programming Game AI by Example by Mat Buckland. This book has been incredible so far. All of the examples are coded in C++, which is a huge benefit, and they are clear yet complex. I look forward to delving deeper into this book and getting to more complicated subjects. I haven’t yet decided how I want to directly apply what I learn in the Autonomous moving game agents chapter, but I would like to take the principles described and create something that utilizes flocking behavior. Maybe something using Unity?

I will be posting updates on my blog and potentially code snippets as I go along. If anyone is interested in Mat Buckland’s source code for the book, it can be located at http://www.ai-junkie.com/books/toc_pgaibe.html. Instead of just downloading the source, I highly recommend anyone interested to buy the book. The same goes with the 3D Math Primer if anyone feels rusty on their linear algebra.

Working through a textbook at your own pace without a class or outside force dictating is an extremely liberating feeling. I can’t really describe it, but it is immensely enjoyable. I guess the one parallel I would draw would be that of learning guitar on your own. You are doing something for the betterment of you one’s self. Even when taking classes to achieve these same goals, pressure to perform can be overwhelming. The downside, of course, is that you don’t have an experienced expert to bug with questions when a theorem or point doesn’t quite stick. Overall, I am really enjoying reading/working through these texts and will continue with more once I continue. I think I might have found a new nerdy past time!