FrikBotNex

A QuakeC bot AI for Quake 1 deathmatch, evolved from FrikBot X (v0.10.2) by Ryan "FrikaC" Smith. The focus is on human emulation -- bots that look and feel like real players, not perfect aim-machines.

What's Different

FrikBotNex builds on the original FrikBot with:

• Combat state machine -- utility-scored decisions (fight, retreat, pressure, flank) replace binary fight-or-run logic. Skill 2+ bots evaluate situational scores with hysteresis to avoid jitter.
• Opponent modeling -- skill 2+ bots track enemy weapon, aggression, strafe tendency, and preferred distance using exponential moving averages. Used for counter-strafing, weapon counter-picks, and retreat direction.
• Human emulation across three axes:
  • Aim: flick-then-settle on target acquisition, low-frequency tracking drift via sine wave, overcorrection modeling with anti-correlated jitter
  • Movement: navigation path jitter, bunny hop fumbles, skill-scaled strafe timing
  • Decisions: reaction delay before engaging new enemies, weapon commitment locks, RL->LG combo with human-plausible success rate (40%)
• Team coordination -- bots read ally entity state to focus fire, rush enemies chasing retreating teammates, and bias retreat toward allies for crossfire
• Personality system -- balanced, aggressive, defensive, and camper archetypes that influence weapon preference, strafe speed, retreat threshold, and utility scoring
• Skill scaling -- skill 0 bots panic and fumble; skill 3 bots counter-strafe, combo weapons, and seek health while retreating. Each skill level unlocks features rather than just tightening aim.

Building

Compile with any QuakeC compiler from src/qc/:

cd src/qc
fteqcc

Or use gmqcc progs.src or qcc. Output is src/progs.dat. A pre-compiled progs.dat is checked into the repo root for convenience.

There are no automated tests -- testing requires running in a Quake engine (Quakespasm, vkQuake, FTE, etc.).

Source Layout

src/
  qc/           Base Quake game code (GPL v2, id Software)
    defs.qc       Global declarations (must compile first)
    progs.src     Compilation manifest
    ...           Standard game modules (weapons, items, monsters, etc.)

  frikbot/      Bot AI system (public domain, Ryan "FrikaC" Smith + contributors)
    bot.qc        Entity lifecycle, declarations, main loop hooks
    bot_way.qc    Waypoint navigation and pathfinding
    bot_think.qc  Opponent model, team coordination, utility scoring, threat assessment
    bot_shoot.qc  Weapon scoring, switching, fire control
    bot_fight.qc  Combat movement states and state machine
    bot_ai.qc     Target selection, aim pipeline, main per-frame think
    bot_misc.qc   Utility functions
    bot_phys.qc   Physics prediction and movement validation
    bot_move.qc   Movement command generation, bunny hopping
    bot_sense.qc  Unified spatial awareness pass (per-tick sensing)
    bot_ed.qc     In-game console/editor interface

  waypoints/    Per-map navigation graphs
    map_dm1.qc through map_dm6.qc

Installation

To integrate into a QuakeC mod, add the bot files to progs.src after defs.qc, then hook into the game loop at four points:

1. BotInit() in WorldSpawn() -- spawns physics entities
2. BotFrame() in StartFrame() -- per-frame AI processing
3. BotPreFrame() in PlayerPreThink() -- early bot checks
4. BotPostFrame() in PlayerPostThink() -- late-stage updates

See the detailed instructions at the top of src/frikbot/bot.qc.

Skill Levels

Skill	Aim	Movement	Decisions
0	High error, slow tracking, 0.3-0.7s reaction delay	Sluggish strafe, frequent bhop fumbles, nav jitter	Panic retreat, weapon commitment 2.5-4.5s, no weapon switching in combat
1	Moderate error, flick overshoot, 0.15-0.4s reaction	Faster strafe, occasional fumbles	Binary fight/retreat, team retreat bias, weapon switching
2	Lower error, tracking drift, 0.05-0.15s reaction	Quick strafe with fakes, angular retreat	Full utility state machine (fight/retreat/pressure/flank), opponent model
3	Minimal error, instant reaction	Counter-strafe from opponent model, no fumbles	RL->LG combos, health-seeking retreat, counter-picks

License

Base game code: GPL v2 (id Software). See src/qc/LICENSE.txt. FrikBot code: Public domain (Ryan "FrikaC" Smith). FrikBotNex additions: Public domain.

See ATTRIBUTIONS for full credits.