Flag System

Flag System

Capture the Flag Framework

Flag Actor Implementation

Create comprehensive flag system for competitive gameplay:

Actor_Flag Components

• Arrow Component: Root for positioning control
• Static Mesh Component: Flag visual representation
• Box Collision: Pickup detection (custom collision, overlap pawn only)
• Team System Integration: Team enumeration for flag ownership

Flag State Management

// Flag State Variables
Team: E_Team; // Flag ownership (Player/Enemy)
Flag_Home: Actor; // Reference to home base
Spawn_Transform: Transform; // Original flag position
Attached_Actor: Character; // Current flag bearer

// Flag Bearer Detection
OnFlagPickup(Character) {
if (Character.GetTeam() != Flag_Team) {
// Enemy picked up flag
AttachFlagToCharacter(Character);
DisableFlagCollision();
StartDeathCheckTimer();
} else {
// Ally touched flag - return to base if dropped
ResetFlagToSpawn();
}
}

Flag Attachment System

Implement flag carrying mechanics:

Character Socket Integration

Create flag-carrying socket on character skeleton:

• Socket Name: S_Flag on first spine bone
• Position: X=4, Y=31, Z=-51 (adjust for character model)
• Rotation: X=-13°, Y=80°, Z=90° for natural flag position
• Scale: 0.5 uniform scaling for appropriate size

Flag Attachment Logic

// Flag Attachment Implementation
AttachFlagToCharacter(Character) {
character_mesh = Character.Interface_Get_Mesh();
AttachActorToComponent(character_mesh, 'S_Flag', SnapToTarget);
Attached_Actor = Character;

// Start monitoring flag bearer health
Timer_Check_For_Dead = CreateTimer(0.25, true);
}

Flag Drop and Recovery

Handle flag bearer death and flag recovery:

Death Detection

// Flag Bearer Death Monitoring
CE_Check_For_Dead() {
if (Attached_Actor.Interface_Get_Dead_State()) {
// Flag bearer died - drop flag
DetachFromActor(KeepWorld, KeepWorld, KeepWorld);

// Find ground position for dropped flag
LineTraceForObjects(CurrentLocation + 500Z, CurrentLocation - 500Z);
SetActorTransform(GroundLocation, SpawnRotation, SpawnScale);

EnableFlagCollision();
StopDeathCheckTimer();
}
}

Flag Home System

Actor_Flag_Home Implementation

Create flag capture zones:

Home Base Components

• Arrow Component: Root component
• Box Collision: Large capture zone above base
• Static Mesh: Visual base representation (spawn pad, altar, etc.)
• Team Assignment: Match with corresponding flag team

Capture Detection

// Flag Capture Logic
OnHomeCaptureZoneOverlap(OtherActor) {
if (OtherActor != Flag && OtherActor.IsA(Actor_Flag)) {
captured_flag = Cast(Actor_Flag, OtherActor);

if (captured_flag.Team != Team) {
// Enemy flag captured!
CaptureFlag(captured_flag);
}
}
}

CaptureFlag(EnemyFlag) {
EnemyFlag.DetachFromActor();
EnemyFlag.CE_Reset_Transform(); // Return to enemy base

AwardPointToTeam(Team);
}

Scoreboard Integration

W_Scoreboard Widget

Create simple score tracking interface:

Scoreboard Layout

• Size: 200x50 for compact display
• Team Colors: Red and blue sections (100px each)
• Score Text: Current score display for each team
• Positioning: Top middle of screen, hidden by default

Score Management

// Score Tracking System
CE_Score_Red() {
Score_Red++;
UpdateScoreDisplay();
CheckGameEnd();
}

CE_Score_Blue() {
Score_Blue++;
UpdateScoreDisplay();
CheckGameEnd();
}

CheckGameEnd() {
if (Score_Red >= WinningScore || Score_Blue >= WinningScore) {
// Game Over - restart level
ExecuteConsoleCommand('RestartLevel');
}
}

Score Integration

Connect flag captures to scoreboard:

// Flag Home Score Integration
OnFlagCaptured(CapturingTeam) {
scoreboard = GetWidgetOfClass(W_Scoreboard);

if (CapturingTeam == Player) {
scoreboard.CE_Score_Blue();
} else {
scoreboard.CE_Score_Red();
}

// Show scoreboard when point scored
scoreboard.SetVisibility(NotHitTestable_SelfOnly);
}

Level Design Integration

Symmetric Map Design

Create balanced competitive environment:

Base Placement

• Two Identical Bases: Ensure perfect symmetry for fair competition
• Flag Rooms: Secure locations for flag placement
• Multiple Routes: Various paths to flag rooms with different difficulty levels

Setup Process

1. Create Single Base: Design one complete base structure
2. Copy and Mirror: Duplicate base for perfect symmetry
3. Team Assignment: Set appropriate team values for flags and homes
4. Eyedropper Tool: Link flags to corresponding homes and vice versa

Flag System Polish

Visual Feedback

Enhance flag system with clear feedback:

• Team Colors: Blue flags for player team, red flags for enemy team
• Construction Script: Automatically set flag mesh based on team
• Status Indicators: Visual cues for flag states (home, carried, dropped)

Gameplay Balance

• Capture Requirements: Ensure your flag must be home to score
• Flag Reset: Dropped flags return home after timeout or ally touch
• Movement Penalties: Optional movement speed reduction for flag bearers

Multi-Game Mode Support

• Flag Bearer Tracking: Boolean variable to identify flag carriers
• Game Mode Integration: Flags can be disabled for non-CTF game modes
• Team System: Leverages existing team framework for consistent behavior

The flag system creates engaging competitive gameplay with clear objectives, balanced mechanics, and immediate visual feedback for all player actions and game state changes.