Roblox Smart NPCs: Code Characters That Follow and Patrol

The characters that walk, guard and chase in games are powered by game AI, a set of rules that decide what a character does next. In this eight-week course learners code their own smart non-player characters in Roblox Studio and learn how game AI really works.

Learners begin by exploring the difference between game AI, which follows rules written by developers, and machine learning, which learns from data. They then build a simple character and script it to walk to a target point. Next they code a follower pet that stays close to the player and a guard that patrols between waypoints in a loop.

In the middle weeks learners add senses. They code characters that notice a player within a certain distance or line of sight, then switch behavior, such as a shopkeeper who waves or a guard who sounds an alarm. Learners use if-then rules to decide what each character does and test how small changes make characters feel smarter.

In the final weeks learners combine behaviors into a stealth or village scene where several NPCs act on their own, and they present how their rules work. The teacher explains each idea with diagrams and live coding.

By the end learners will understand rule-based game AI and have coded several smart characters. Basic Lua knowledge is recommended.

How classes work

Each class introduces one NPC behavior with a diagram and live coding. Learners add it to their characters and test how they react.

What we'll cover

• Week 1: What Is Game AI – Compare rule-based game AI with machine learning.

• Week 2: Walking to Targets – Script a character that walks to a point.

• Week 3: Follower Pet – Code a pet that stays near the player.

• Week 4: Patrolling Guard – Loop a guard through waypoints.

• Week 5: Detecting Players – Notice players by distance.

• Week 6: Line of Sight – Check whether a character can see the player.

• Week 7: If-Then Behaviors – Switch behaviors with decision rules.

• Week 8: Living Village Scene – Combine several NPCs and present their rules.

Basic Lua knowledge such as variables, functions and events.