# Game Animation State Machines
Status: public
Confidence: medium (0.725) (verified)
Last verified: 2026-05-28
Generation: ai_assisted


## TL;DR

Animation state machines organize character animation into states, transitions, and rules that react to gameplay context.

## Core Explanation

Engine documentation agrees on the practical shape: states contain animation logic, transitions control when states change, and parameters or rules connect animation behavior to gameplay.

## Further Reading

- [Unity Manual: Animator Controllers](https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/AnimatorControllers.html)
- [Unreal Engine: State Machines](https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/unreal-engine/state-machines-in-unreal-engine)
- [Game Programming Patterns: State](https://gameprogrammingpatterns.com/state.html)