[FEATURE] Prepare Advanced And Flexible Input System

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Short Overview of the Feature

In the world of game development, a flexible and extensible input system is crucial for providing an immersive gaming experience. With the rise of various input devices, such as keyboard & mouse, Xbox/PlayStation controllers, and custom gamepads, it's essential to create an input system that can accommodate different control schemes while keeping configuration and rebinding simple and scalable. In this article, we'll explore how to implement a robust and flexible input system using Unity's new Input System package.

Technical Requirements

To create a seamless and responsive input system, we'll be implementing the following technical requirements:

Input System Implementation

We'll be using the Unity Input System (com.unity.inputsystem) package to create a flexible and extensible input system. This package provides a powerful and customizable input system that can handle various input devices and control schemes.

Input Actions (InputActionAsset)

To define the input actions, we'll create an InputActionAsset with clearly named action maps, such as:

  • Player (for in-game controls)
  • UI (for menu navigation)

These action maps will contain the necessary input actions, such as movement, jump, interact, attack, pause, dash, and crouch.

Control Schemes

Our input system should support the following control schemes out-of-the-box:

  • Keyboard & Mouse
  • Xbox Controller
  • PlayStation Controller

We'll implement a PlayerInput component that auto-switches between active control schemes, ensuring a seamless gaming experience.

Actions and Events

The actions should include at minimum:

  • Movement
  • Jump
  • Interact / Use
  • Attack / Fire
  • Pause
  • Dash
  • Crouch

We'll use events or UnityEvents to trigger gameplay logic, such as when the player jumps or attacks. This event-driven model will help us avoid input polling in Update whenever possible.

Rebindable Controls

To provide a user-friendly experience, we'll support rebindable controls via UI. This will allow players to customize their input settings to suit their preferences.

Input Debugging Overlay

For development and debugging purposes, we'll implement an input debugging overlay that shows the current inputs. This will help us identify and fix any input-related issues.

Save/Load of Input Rebindings

To save and load input rebindings, we'll use JSON or PlayerPrefs. This will allow players to save their input settings and load them later.

Additional Context

While the above requirements provide a solid foundation for our input system, there are some optional but recommended enhancements that can further improve the gaming experience:

  • Custom Deadzone and Sensitivity Configuration: Allow players to customize the deadzone and sensitivity of analog sticks and triggers.
  • Input Buffering and Coyote Time: Implement input buffering and coyote time for responsive platformer-like movement.
  • Vibration Feedback: Provide vibration feedback for supported controllers.
  • Input Debugging Overlay: Show the current inputs for dev/debug mode.

Implementation Details

To implement the input system, we'll follow these steps:

  1. Create an InputActionAsset: Define the input actions and action maps using the InputActionAsset.
  2. Implement Control Schemes: Create a PlayerInput component that auto-switches between active control schemes.
  3. Add Actions and Events: Add the necessary actions and events to trigger gameplay logic.
  4. Implement Rebindable Controls: Create a UI system to allow players to rebind their controls.
  5. Add Input Debugging Overlay: Create an input debugging overlay to show the current inputs.
  6. Save/Load of Input Rebindings: Implement save and load functionality using JSON or PlayerPrefs.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored the requirements and implementation details of a flexible and extensible input system using Unity's new Input System package. By following these steps and implementing the necessary features, we can create a seamless and responsive input system that provides an immersive gaming experience for players.

Future Work

While this input system provides a solid foundation, there are still some areas for improvement. Some potential future work includes:

  • Customization Options: Provide more customization options for players, such as deadzone and sensitivity configuration.
  • Input Buffering and Coyote Time: Implement input buffering and coyote time for responsive platformer-like movement.
  • Vibration Feedback: Provide vibration feedback for supported controllers.
  • Input Debugging Overlay: Show the current inputs for dev/debug mode.

Q: What is the purpose of the Input System package in Unity?

A: The Input System package in Unity is designed to provide a flexible and extensible input system that can handle various input devices and control schemes. It allows developers to create a seamless and responsive input system that provides an immersive gaming experience for players.

Q: What are the key features of the Input System package?

A: The key features of the Input System package include:

  • Input Actions (InputActionAsset): Define the input actions and action maps using the InputActionAsset.
  • Control Schemes: Support various control schemes, such as keyboard & mouse, Xbox Controller, and PlayStation Controller.
  • Rebindable Controls: Allow players to rebind their controls via UI.
  • Events or UnityEvents: Use events or UnityEvents to trigger gameplay logic.
  • Input Debugging Overlay: Show the current inputs for dev/debug mode.

Q: How do I implement the Input System package in my Unity project?

A: To implement the Input System package in your Unity project, follow these steps:

  1. Create an InputActionAsset: Define the input actions and action maps using the InputActionAsset.
  2. Implement Control Schemes: Create a PlayerInput component that auto-switches between active control schemes.
  3. Add Actions and Events: Add the necessary actions and events to trigger gameplay logic.
  4. Implement Rebindable Controls: Create a UI system to allow players to rebind their controls.
  5. Add Input Debugging Overlay: Create an input debugging overlay to show the current inputs.

Q: What are the benefits of using the Input System package?

A: The benefits of using the Input System package include:

  • Improved Gaming Experience: Provides a seamless and responsive input system that provides an immersive gaming experience for players.
  • Increased Customization Options: Allows players to customize their input settings to suit their preferences.
  • Easier Development: Simplifies the development process by providing a flexible and extensible input system.

Q: Can I customize the Input System package to fit my specific needs?

A: Yes, you can customize the Input System package to fit your specific needs. The package provides a flexible and extensible framework that allows you to add custom features and functionality.

Q: What are some potential future work for the Input System package?

A: Some potential future work for the Input System package includes:

  • Customization Options: Provide more customization options for players, such as deadzone and sensitivity configuration.
  • Input Buffering and Coyote Time: Implement input buffering and coyote time for responsive platformer-like movement.
  • Vibration Feedback: Provide vibration feedback for supported controllers.
  • Input Debugging Overlay: Show the current inputs for dev/debug mode.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the Input System package?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the Input System package, follow these steps:

  1. Check the Input Action Asset: Verify that the input actions and action maps are correctly defined in the Input Action.
  2. Check the Control Schemes: Verify that the control schemes are correctly implemented and configured.
  3. Check the Rebindable Controls: Verify that the rebindable controls are correctly implemented and configured.
  4. Check the Input Debugging Overlay: Verify that the input debugging overlay is correctly implemented and configured.

Conclusion

In this Q&A article, we've explored the key features and benefits of the Input System package in Unity. We've also provided guidance on how to implement the package, troubleshoot issues, and customize it to fit your specific needs. By following these steps and using the Input System package, you can create a seamless and responsive input system that provides an immersive gaming experience for players.