Using heuristics in a game

Adding heuristics in a game means to define rules. We need to define a set of rules for the AI agent so that it can move to its destination in the best possible way. For example, if we want to write a pathfinding algorithm, and define only its start and end positions, it may get there in many different ways. However, if we want the agent to reach the goal in a particular way, we need to establish a heuristic function for it.

Getting ready

You need a Windows machine and a working copy of Visual Studio. No other prerequisites are required.

How to do it…

In this recipe, we will find out how easy it is to add a heuristic function to our game for pathfinding. Add a source file called Source.cpp and add the following code to it:

    for (auto next : graph.neighbors(current)) {
      int new_cost = cost_so_far[current] + graph.cost(current, next);
      if (!cost_so_far.count(next) || new_cost < cost_so_far[next]) {
        cost_so_far[next] = new_cost;
        int priority...