[Community] [Top-down movement animator] Change the animation according to the top-down movement direction

[D8H]

Demo

• [Goose Bomberman] Upgrade the animator behavior GDevelop-examples#485
• [Top-down grid movement] Use the animator extension GDevelop-examples#483
• [Isometry] Use the top-down animator extension GDevelop-examples#484

[AlexandreSi]

Could we add more details here? I think it has to be exhaustive to be really helpful

[D8H]

It gives the start and the direction. I think giving more won't help. Especially because there are not necessarily only 4 directions.

[AlexandreSi]

I don't understand what this means

[D8H]

It uses this action

[AlexandreSi]

Looking at this, I wonder: - What is the top-down movement selector? (I don't know if we can hide it since I think there is no use in changing it for the user) - Comparing to the platformer character animator:

I understand why you did it like that (easier with numbers I guess) but it seems a bit obscure from a non-programmer point of view I would say. Do you think it could be possible to have a similar interface as the platformer one?

[D8H]

Suggested change

	"description": "Animations must be called \"Walk0\", \"Walk1\"... for left, down...",
	"description": "Animations must be called \"Walk0\", \"Walk1\"... for right, down...",

[D8H]

Looking at this, I wonder: - What is the top-down movement selector? (I don't know if we can hide it since I think there is no use in changing it for the user) - Comparing to the platformer character animator:

It's a required behavior. It allows users to understand why this extension was added automatically and why they can't remove it while keeping this behavior.

I understand why you did it like that (easier with numbers I guess) but it seems a bit obscure from a non-programmer point of view I would say. Do you think it could be possible to have a similar interface as the platformer one?

It's not possible because 8 is not a hard limit. Analog sticks allow any direction so games could need 64 animations.
There is the same issue with path finding where more that 8 directions is the canonical case and I think it's best to have the same interface for both.

It has the advantage to be quick to suffix (8 directions * 6 animations of 20 frames can be long to do) and numbers are more universal than words.

It's not easy to understand by just reading the description but looking at an example or a tutorial make it obvious.

[D8H]

In the case of this extension the movement angle is used which is kind of the same as using the acceleration vector. Characters rotate as soon as a key is pressed even if there inertial make them move in the opposite direction.

For other movements with indirect player control, the speed can be used. We could probably do a generic extension that is based on the change of position. Both have advantages and draw backs:

Generic (position delta):

• only one extension to implement
• can work with movement that uses several behaviors
• the extension list is not flooded by 4 animators (Should the 4 animators be in the same extension? The one that use community behaviors must be included in the extension directly.)
• the speed doesn't necessarily reflect the players intent (inertia).
• if something should not change the direction like a knock back, it will make things harder.

Dedicated (movement angle):

• teleporting an object don't mess the direction
• has access to more information that could allow some features (it's the case for top-down)
• users are forced to use an animator that work well (using a generic animator for the top-down would not good in most cases)

An animator behavior can be useful with:

• Pathfinding
• Forces
• Phisics2
• Predetermined paths
  • Curved movement
  • Ellipse movement
  • Rectangular movement
  • Boids
  • ...

[D8H]

I'm merging it in the community list as it's a question that comes back from time to time.