Death Respawn System

Death and Respawn System

Death Animation Setup

Death Animation Implementation

Import death animation from Mixamo to handle character defeat states:

Animation Configuration

• Animation Source: Mixamo “Dying” animation for dramatic effect
• Import Settings: Standard X Bot skeleton import
• Animation Properties: Disable loop animation for one-time play
• Montage Creation: Create animation montage for gameplay integration

Master Character Death System

Death State Variables

• Dead Boolean: Tracks character death state
• Health Check: Death triggers when health reaches zero or below

Death Function Framework

// Master Character Death Implementation
OnHealthReachesZero() {
set_dead_to_true;
F_Dead(); // Override function for child classes

// Animation Integration
mesh.GetAnimInstance().Interface_Dead(true);
}

// Child classes override F_Dead for specific behavior
F_Dead() {
// Base implementation - override in child classes
}

Animation Blueprint Integration

Death Animation Blending

Integrate death state into animation system:

ABP Interface Function

• Interface_Dead Function: Boolean input for death state
• Death Variable: Store death state in animation blueprint

Animation Graph Integration

• Blend Poses by Bool: Choose between normal animation and death animation
• Reset Child on Activation: Ensure death animation resets when triggered
• Loop Prevention: Death animation plays once and holds final frame

Player Death System

Player-Specific Death Behavior

Override death function for unique player experience:

Input Disabling

• Input Disabled Variable: Prevent player control during death
• Camera Control: Disable camera movement during death state
• Movement Prevention: Stop all character movement and abilities

Death UI Implementation

Create comprehensive death screen interface:

// Player Death UI Structure
W_Dead {
- SizeBox Root (1920x1080 coverage)
- Canvas Panel Body
- Background Image (black, 70% alpha)
- Background Blur (strength 10)
- Death Text ('YOU DIED' in dark red)
- Respawn Button
- New Character Button
- Restart Level Button
}

Death Screen Animations

Polish death screen with dramatic entrance:

Fade-In Animation

• Duration: 2.5 seconds total
• Delay: 1 second before fade begins
• Opacity: 0 to 1 transition
• Blur Effect: Synchronized with opacity for dramatic impact

Fade-Out Animation

• Duration: 1 second
• Trigger: When respawn selected
• Visibility: Hidden after fade completes

Respawn System Implementation

Multiple Respawn Methods

Provide three distinct respawn approaches:

Method 1: Revive at Location

• Health Restoration: Reset health to maximum
• State Reset: Clear death state, enable input
• Location: Character remains at death location
• Use Case: Forgiving gameplay approach

Method 2: New Character Instance

// New Character Respawn
PlayerController_Respawn(NewCharacter = true) {
old_pawn = GetControlledPawn();
current_class = old_pawn.GetClass();
spawn_location = F_Get_Spawn_Location();

UnPossess();
new_pawn = SpawnActor(current_class, spawn_location);
Possess(new_pawn);
DestroyActor(old_pawn);
}

Method 3: Restart Level

• Console Command: “Restart Level”
• Complete Reset: Reload entire level from beginning
• Use Case: Hardcore or puzzle game modes

Respawn Location System

Respawn Point Actors

Create respawn checkpoint system:

Actor_Respawn Components

• Sphere Mesh: Visual indicator for designers (hidden in game)
• Sphere Collision: Activation trigger (600 unit radius)
• Static Mesh: Decorative respawn monument or waypoint
• Activated Variable: Tracks whether respawn point discovered

Respawn Selection Logic

// Smart Respawn Location Selection
F_Get_Spawn_Location() {
respawn_actors = GetAllActorsOfClass(Actor_Respawn);
activated_respawns = FilterByActivatedStatus(respawn_actors);

if (activated_respawns.Num() > 0) {
closest_respawn = FindClosestToPlayer(activated_respawns);
return closest_respawn.GetActorTransform();
} else {
// Fallback to PlayerStart if no respawns activated
player_starts = GetAllActorsOfClass(PlayerStart);
return GetRandomActorTransform(player_starts);
}
}

Respawn Activation System

• Overlap Detection: Player enters respawn sphere to activate
• One-Time Activation: Each respawn activates once and remains active
• Distance-Based: Respawn at closest activated checkpoint
• Visual Feedback: Optional effects when respawn point activates

Death Widget Polish

Professional Death Screen

Create polished, game-ready death interface:

Visual Elements

• Full-Screen Coverage: 1920x1080 sizing with proper scaling
• Background Treatment: Dark overlay with blur effect
• Typography: Large, impactful “YOU DIED” text
• Button Layout: Clear, accessible respawn options

Button Functionality

• Respawn: Revive character at nearest checkpoint
• New Character: Destroy and recreate character
• Restart: Reload level from beginning

Animation Integration

• Dramatic Entrance: Delayed fade-in with blur effect
• Smooth Exit: Quick fade-out when option selected
• Audio Integration: Sound effects for death and respawn events

The death and respawn system provides multiple gameplay approaches while maintaining immersive presentation and clear player feedback about failure states and recovery options.