Character Integration Communication

Character Integration and Communication

HUD Interface System

Creating clean communication between UI widgets and game systems using interfaces and object references.

HUD Interface Setup

Interface Creation: Interface_HUD_Coursera

Widget Getter Functions (Widget category):

• Get_Widget_Player_Health_Bar → Object output
• Get_Widget_Player_Mana_Bar → Object output
• Get_Widget_Player_Stamina_Bar → Object output

Note

Object Reference Pattern: Using Object variable type instead of specific widget references prevents circular dependencies and keeps blueprint sizes small.

HUD Implementation

Root Widget Management:

• Create Widget node → promote return value to Widget_Root variable
• Add interface to Class Settings
• Implement interface functions to navigate widget hierarchy:

Get Widget Root → Get Resources Widget → Get Progress Bar Template (Health/Mana/Stamina)

This creates a clean chain from HUD → Root → Resources → Individual progress bars without hard references.

Character Statistics System

Master Character Setup

Statistics Variables (Float, Statistics category):

• Health: Health_Current, Health_Minimum, Health_Maximum
• Mana: Mana_Current, Mana_Minimum, Mana_Maximum
• Stamina: Stamina_Current, Stamina_Minimum, Stamina_Maximum

Variable Organization: Use categories to organize blueprint variables:

• Statistics: Health, mana, stamina values
• Input: Control-related variables
• Mobility: Movement abilities
• Animation: Stance variables
• Appearance: Mesh-related variables

Organization Tip

Clean Code Practice: Game development blueprint variables become extremely messy quickly - always take time to organize work with proper categories.

Character Interface System

Interface Creation: Interface_Character_Coursera_Master

Math Enumeration: Enumeration_Math

• Add
• Subtract

Statistic Modification Functions (Statistics category):

• Interface_Health_Modify (Value: Float, Math: Enumeration)
• Interface_Mana_Modify (Value: Float, Math: Enumeration)
• Interface_Stamina_Modify (Value: Float, Math: Enumeration)

Implementation Logic

Master Character Implementation:

For each statistic interface:

1. Switch Node based on Math enumeration
2. Add Branch: Current + Value → Clamp (Min/Max) → Set Current
3. Subtract Branch: Current - Absolute(Value) → Clamp (Min/Max) → Set Current
4. Call Override Function: F_Health_Modify, F_Mana_Modify, F_Stamina_Modify

Tip

Design Flexibility: The enumeration system prepares for future mechanics like percent-based damage, armor calculations, resistance checks, or true damage that ignores resistances.

Override Functions:

• Created as empty functions in Master Character
• Child classes override these for specific behavior
• Allows different UI update patterns for Player vs AI characters

Player Character UI Communication

Widget Reference System

FWidget_Setup Function: Create object references to UI widgets through HUD interface:

Get Player Controller → Get HUD → Get Widget Player Health Bar → Store as Widget_Player_Health_Bar (Object)

Progress Bar Interface Communication: For each widget reference:

1. Set Min/Max: Use Interface_ProgressBar_Set_MinMax with character statistics
2. Set Current: Use Interface_ProgressBar_Update_Current with current values
3. Update Character Variables: Set current values to maximum (full health on start)

Override Function Implementation

Player Character Overrides:

• Override F_Health_Modify, F_Mana_Modify, F_Stamina_Modify
• Each function uses stored widget reference + Interface_ProgressBar_Update_Current
• Updates UI immediately when statistics change

Event Begin Play Integration:

• Add Call to Parent Function for master character initialization
• Call FWidget_Setup to establish UI connections
• Use delay (0.2 seconds) if needed for widget initialization timing

Default Values Configuration

Class Defaults Setup:

• Health Max: 1000
• Mana Max: 100
• Stamina Max: 100
• Leave minimums at 0

Testing Verification:

• Resource bars show proper values (not 50% default)
• Switch progress bar display to “Numbers” to verify communication
• Values update in real-time when statistics change

This architecture creates a clean separation between game data (stored in characters) and UI display (widgets), with interfaces providing controlled communication channels that prevent circular dependencies and maintain performance.