Gameplay Systems And Ui Connection

Gameplay Systems and UI Connection

Statistic Modifier Actor System

Creating a reusable actor for modifying character statistics throughout the game world.

Actor Setup and Components

File Organization:

• Create Actors folder → Statistic_Modify subfolder
• Create Actor_Statistic_Modify blueprint

Component Structure:

1. Sphere (base component, no collision, visual placeholder)
2. Box_Collision (100x100x100 extent)
3. Sphere_Collision (radius 100)
4. Capsule_Collision (height 88, radius 64)

Shape Enumeration: Enumeration_Shape

• Sphere, Box, Capsule

Dynamic Collision System

Shape Variable System:

• Shape (Enumeration_Shape, Instance Editable)
• Math (Enumeration_Math for Add/Subtract)
• Value (Float for modification amount)

Construction Script Logic: Based on Shape variable:

• Set Visibility: Show selected shape, hide others
• Set Collision Enabled: Enable selected shape collision, disable others
• Collision Preset: Custom → Enable Pawn Overlap only

Overlap Event Implementation

Dynamic Event Binding: Use Switch node off Shape variable:

• Each shape: Bind Event to On Component Begin Overlap
• All shapes use same function: F_Modify_Health
• Centralizes overlap logic while maintaining shape flexibility

F_Modify_Health Function:

Other Actor → Interface_Health_Modify (Value, Math)

Simple interface call that works with any character implementing the health modification interface.

Usage Examples

Damage Actor: Subtract 100 health Healing Actor: Add 100 health Collectibles: Various positive values Traps: Various negative values

This actor becomes the foundation for power-ups, traps, collectibles, coins, and other statistic-modifying elements throughout game prototyping.

Nameplate System

UI widgets that display character information above their heads.

Nameplate Widget Creation

File Structure:

• Create W_Nameplate folder and widget
• Create Interface_Widget_Nameplate

Component Setup:

• CanvasPanel_Body and CanvasPanel_Div (240x75 size)
• ProgressBar_Template_Health (scaled to 0.75, health template)
• Text_Label (font size 10, top middle anchor)

Interface Function:

• Interface_Label_Update (Text input)
• Updates nameplate text through interface calls

Character Integration

Master Character Setup:

• Add Widget_Nameplate component to character
• Widget Settings:
  • Widget Class: W_Nameplate
  • Space: Screen
  • Draw at Desired Size: Enabled
  • Pivot X/Y: 0.5
  • Z Location: 120

Character Name System:

• Add Character_Name variable (Text, Instance Editable)
• On Event Begin Play: Update nameplate label through interface

Health Integration:

• Override F_Health_Modify in characters
• Cast widget to W_Nameplate → Get Health Progress Bar → Update Current
• Widget Setup: Set Min/Max values and initial current value
• Add 0.2 second delay for proper widget initialization

Player vs AI Nameplate Behavior

Player Character:

• Hide own nameplate: Is Locally Controlled → Set Hidden in Game
• Player doesn’t need to see their own nameplate

AI Character:

• Always show nameplate for enemy identification
• Same health update system as player
• Different default character names (e.g., “Enemy 001”)

Basic Combat System

Attack Implementation

Sphere Trace Attack:

Get Actor Location + Forward Vector * 600 → Sphere Trace for Objects

Trace Configuration:

• Radius: 40
• Object Types: Pawn (promote to Attack_Trace variable)
• Draw Debug: For Duration (testing)
• Ignore Self: Checked

Damage Application:

Hit Actor → Interface_Health_Modify (Value: damage amount, Math: Subtract)

AI Character Setup

Child Blueprint: BP_Character_Coursera_AI

• Disable CameraBoom and FollowCamera (Auto Activate off)
• Set nameplate widget and positioning
• Use Mixamo Xbox model and animations
• Configure default health values

Nameplate Updates:

• Same override system as player character
• Implement F_Health_Modify with widget casting and interface calls
• Set default Character_Name in Class Defaults

Ability Bar System

Widget Structure

W_Ability Widget:

• Canvas panels + Icon template
• Basic icon display with default settings

W_Ability_Bar Widget:

• Canvas panels (400x200 div size)
• Contains W_Ability template
• Positioned above resource bar in root widget

Input Mode Management

Player Controller Setup: G key toggle system using Flip Flop:

• First Press: Set Input Mode Game and UI + Show Mouse Cursor
• Second Press: Set Input Mode Game Only + Hide Mouse Cursor

This allows switching between gameplay and UI interaction modes for testing.

Ability Integration

Player Character Interface: Interface_Character_Player

• Interface_Use_Ability function
• Implement on Player Character to call existing attack code

Button Binding:

W_Ability → Get W_Icon → Get Button → Bind Event to On Released

Event Implementation:

Get Player Pawn → Interface_Use_Ability

This creates clickable ability buttons that trigger the same attack functionality as keyboard input, demonstrating UI-to-gameplay integration.

The combat system provides immediate visual feedback through nameplate health updates and creates foundation for more complex combat mechanics in future development.