Game Creation Toolkit

Lua Integration

Central to the Game Creation Toolkit is using Lua as the primary language for game development. This choice is facilitated by XLua, an innovative scripting solution that creates a seamless bridge between Unity and Lua. XLua’s integration is pivotal for its hot reloading capability, which allows for the dynamic updating of scripts without recompiling the entire Unity project. This feature significantly enhances the development workflow, enabling real-time game creation within a Unity build.
To further empower developers, I have crafted a custom API that extends Lua’s capabilities within the Unity environment. This API gives Lua scripts access to essential C# functionalities crucial for developing complex game mechanics. Features such as coroutines, transitions, and straightforward access to GameObject properties are readily available through this interface. This level of integration not only streamlines the development process but also opens up new possibilities in game mechanics design, offering a blend of simplicity and power.

In-Game Editor Capabilities

A standout feature of the Game Creation Toolkit is its sophisticated in-game editor. This editor is designed to facilitate a user-friendly yet potent development experience. It offers a comprehensive suite of features to simplify the process of developing and structuring projects. Key functionalities include:

1. Intuitive Interface: The editor is crafted to be intuitive, allowing novice and experienced developers to navigate and utilize its features efficiently.
2. Advanced Customization: It provides extensive customization options to tailor the development environment to specific project needs.
3. Real-Time Editing and Testing: Users can edit and test their games in real time, significantly speeding up the development cycle and enhancing productivity.
4. Seamless Integration with Unity and Lua: The editor is seamlessly integrated with both Unity and Lua, ensuring a cohesive and efficient workflow.
5. Robust Project Management Tools: It includes powerful tools that aid the organization and track various development stages.

Transform Gizmos Functionality

An integral component of the in-game editor is the Transform Gizmos, mirroring the functionality of leading game engines. These gizmos are meticulously designed to intuitively manipulate objects within the game environment, encompassing three fundamental operations: movement, rotation, and scaling.

Additionally, the editor features a set of customizable buttons that enhance these gizmos. These buttons enable users to configure specific angles or units for object snapping. This functionality ensures that objects align perfectly with the game’s grid, providing precision essential for professional-quality game development.

Hierarchy Window Features

The Game Creation Toolkit features a highly functional Hierarchy Window, a crucial component for managing GameObjects within a scene. This window is designed to provide a clear, organized view of all GameObjects, along with efficient access to several quick actions, enhancing the ease and speed of development:

1. Visibility Toggle: Incorporating an eye icon, this feature allows users to toggle the visibility of GameObjects swiftly. It is beneficial for focusing on specific elements during the development process.
2. Static Property Adjustment: A toggle button is available for setting GameObjects as static. This simple yet powerful functionality facilitates quick adjustments of GameObject properties, streamlining the workflow.
3. Drag-and-Drop Capability: The Hierarchy Window supports a drag-and-drop interface, enabling users to effortlessly parent or unparent GameObjects or groups of GameObjects. This feature simplifies scene organization and accelerates structuring and re-structuring game elements.

These features make the Hierarchy Window a versatile and indispensable tool within the toolkit, allowing for a more organized and efficient approach to game development.

Inspector Window

The Inspector Window activates when a GameObject is selected, providing a detailed view of its properties. Key features include:

1. Comprehensive Display: It shows essential information about the selected GameObject, including transform values and attached Lua scripts.
2. Lua Script Integration: The window displays Lua scripts attached to the GameObject and their public properties.
3. Interactivity: Users can directly edit these public properties, allowing real-time customization and game mechanics adjustment.

This window is designed for efficiency and ease of use, streamlining the game development process.

Console Window for Enhanced Debugging

The in-game console is designed to improve the debugging process in game development significantly. It is exceptionally versatile and capable of handling both Unity and Lua errors. It is equipped with:

1. Severity Indicators: The console displays different icons to indicate the severity of bugs, making it easier to prioritize issues.
2. Rich Text Support: The console implements rich text formatting for better readability and clarity.

This advanced console aids developers in quickly identifying and resolving issues, streamlining the iteration process.

Assets Window

The Game Creation Toolkit features an Assets Window, reminiscent of Unity’s, which enhances the ease of integrating assets into the scene. Its key functionalities include:

1. Drag-and-Drop Interface: Allows straightforward dragging and dropping of assets directly into the game scene.
2. Organized Asset Categories: Assets are categorized into groups like Meshes, Sounds, Utilities, Scripts, etc., for efficient navigation and selection.
3. Filtering and Search Options: Users can filter assets by name, streamlining the search process.
4. Lua Accessibility: Assets can be accessed and managed through scripts, offering additional flexibility and control.

This window is designed to simplify asset management, making it a vital component of the toolkit.

External IDE Integration & Serialization

External IDE Integration & Serialization

A pivotal aspect of the Game Creation Toolkit is its flexibility in accommodating user preferences for development environments. Users can seamlessly switch between the toolkit’s built-in tools and popular external IDEs like Visual Studio Code. It is facilitated through:

1. Universal Access: Ensuring that users have constant access to their work, regardless of the tools they use.
2. File Serialization: All user-modified files, such as scripts, prefabs, levels, and configurations, are serialized and securely stored locally.
3. Ease of Import/Export: These files can be effortlessly imported into or exported from the toolkit, providing a smooth workflow transition and safeguarding project continuity.

Profiler Stats

The Game Creation Toolkit incorporates a robust Profiler Stats feature, leveraging Unity’s Profiler API. This integration provides critical insights into various performance metrics, such as:

1. Triangles and Draw Calls: It allows users to monitor the number of triangles and draw calls in a scene, which is essential for optimizing graphical performance.
2. GameObject Count: The toolkit also tracks the quantity of GameObjects present, aiding in efficient scene management.