AI-Driven Game Mechanics: Implementing Finite State Machines in Pac-Man

This paper presents the design and implementation of Finite State Machines (FSMs) for the classic Pac-Man game, emphasizing their role in artificial intelligence-driven game logic and dynamic system modeling. FSMs are developed for key entities, including Pac-Man, ghosts, and the game controller, capturing their states, transitions, and actions to create an engaging and structured gameplay experience. The Pac-Man FSM incorporates power-ups and dynamic behaviors, while the ghost FSM models strategic interactions, such as chasing and evasion based on Pac-Man’s state. The game controller FSM ensures seamless orchestration of game flow, user input handling, and event management for an enhanced player experience. This work highlights FSMs’ effectiveness in programming game logic and simulating human-like decision-making, showcas- ing their potential for broader applications in AI and intelligent systems. By exploring FSMs in the context of Pac-Man’s game- play dynamics, this paper contributes to advancing AI methodologies for game design and fostering a deeper understanding of interactive system behaviors.