Understanding Pac-Man Ghost AI
The ghosts aren't random. Each one runs a simple targeting rule every frame, and once you can name the rule, you can predict the move.
Scatter and chase
Ghosts alternate between two modes. In chase they hunt using their personal rule; in scatter they retreat to their home corner. The game flips between these on a timer, which is why a wall of ghosts will suddenly turn away — that's scatter starting, and it's your best window to grab dots safely.
The four targeting rules
- Blinky targets your current tile. Predictable, relentless, and speeds up as dots run low (“Cruise Elroy”).
- Pinky targets four tiles ahead of your facing direction — she tries to cut you off, not follow you.
- Inky draws a vector from Blinky through the tile two ahead of you, then doubles it. In practice: unpredictable unless you track Blinky too.
- Clyde targets you when far, but switches to his corner when within eight tiles — so he keeps peeling away.
Because Pinky aims where you're facing, a quick reverse just before she arrives sends her to empty space. This single trick breaks most ghost traps.
Turning rules into wins
Watch Blinky to read Inky. Bait Pinky with last-second turns. Use Clyde's corner as a safe lane. Once you stop seeing four identical ghosts and start seeing four different rules, the maze opens up.
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