Random Numbers in Unity3D?

Question

What I found was how to create random numbers. Great. This solution, however, was not working in other functions. To create a random number, I used

Random randomDirection = new Random();
int directionChoice = randomDirection.Next(1, 4); 

inside of a function called enemyWalk(){};

However, this caused an error:

Type 'UnityEngine.Random' does not contain a definition for 'Next' and no extension method 'Next' of type 'UnityEngine.Random' could be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

This error does not appear when I take the random integer generator out of the function. Any solutions to fix this problem?

I'm hoping to use this code to make my enemy wander around when not doing anything by randomly choosing an integer that decides which direction he walks (up, left, right, or down), then using a random double generator to determine the distance it walks. However I need a random number generated whenever enemyWalk(){}; is called.

Answer 1

The simple solution would be to just use .NET's Random class, which happens to be in the System namespace:

using System;

...

//Or System.Random without the using
Random randomDirection = new Random();
int directionChoice = randomDirection.Next(1, 5);

If you want to use Unity's, call Range instead of Next:

int directionChoice = randomDirection.Range(1, 5);

Note that "max" is exclusive in both cases, so you should use 5 to return values between 1 and 4 (including 4)

To get random float:

Random.NextDouble(); //careful, this is between 0 and 1, you have to scale it
//Also, this one is exclusive on the upper bound (1)

Random.Range(1f, 4f); //max is inclusive now

Answer 2

If you're using Unity, a quick search has indicated that the method is as follows:

Random.Range(minVal, maxVal);

See here Unity Documentation - Random

Please bear in mind that minVal is inclusive and maxVal is exclusive of the returned random value when using the integer method overload. In your case it would be:

Random.Range(1,4);

Instead of Next(1,4).

If using floats as per:

Random.Range(1.0F, 3.5F);

Both minVal and maxVal are inclusive in this case.

I hope this helps.