2. Finding Players at Runtime

This section shows how to find players and teams at runtime that you set up earlier.

Defining Class Members

1. Open Verse Explorer and double-click triad_infiltration_game.verse to open the script in Visual Studio Code.

2. At the top of the file, add using { /Verse.org/Random } to access the Shuffle() function. You'll use this to randomly shuffle teams of players before balancing. Also add using { /Fortnite.com/FortPlayerUtilities } to access the Respawn() function for players, which you'll use later to teleport players to their spawn areas at the start of the game. using { /Fortnite.com/Devices } using { /Fortnite.com/FortPlayerUtilities } using { /Verse.org/Simulation } using { /Verse.org/Random } using { /UnrealEngine.com/Temporary/Diagnostics }

3. In the triad_infiltration_game class definition, add the following fields:

   1. Three editable integers named MaximumInfiltrators, MaximumAttackers, and MaximumDefenders. Initialize MaximumInfiltrators to 2 and MaximumAttackers and MaximumDefenders to 4. These track the maximum number of players on each team, you'll use them to balance teams dynamically. You can change these numbers for testing purposes, and to create interesting variations in the game. triad_infiltration := class(creative_device): # To avoid players not being able to join a team, you should set the maximum number # of players in the island settings to the sum of all of the Maximum(Team) variables. # Maximum number of players on the Infiltrators Team. @editable MaximumInfiltrators:int = 2 # Maxmimum number of players on the Attackers Team. @editable MaximumAttackers:int = 4 # Maximum number of players on the Defenders Team. @editable MaximumDefenders:int = 4

   2. A variable map named TeamsAndTotals. This will map teams of players to the maximum number of players on that team. # Maximum number of players on the Infiltrators Team. @editable MaximumInfiltrators:int = 2 # Maxmimum number of players on the Attackers Team. @editable MaximumAttackers:int = 4 # Maximum number of players on the Defenders Team. @editable MaximumDefenders:int = 4 # Map of teams to their maximum number of players. var TeamsAndTotals:[team]int = map{}

   3. An editable array of teleporters named Teleporters. This holds a reference to the teleporters which you'll use to teleport players to their spawns after team balancing. # Map of teams to their maximum number of players. var TeamsAndTotals:[team]int = map{} # Array of Teleporters that teleport players to their team's spawn once the game starts. @editable Teleporters:[]teleporter_device = array{}

   4. An editable item_granter_device array named WeaponGranters. This stores the item granters needed to grant players a weapon based on their team when they spawn. # Array of Teleporters that teleport players to their team's spawn once the game starts. @editable Teleporters:[]teleporter_device = array{} # Array of weapon granters for each team. @editable var WeaponGranters:[]item_granter_device = array{}

   5. Three optional team variables named MaybeInfiltrators, MaybeAttackers, and MaybeDefenders. These store a reference to each team to allow you to check that teams are set up correctly. # Array of weapon granters for each team. @editable var WeaponGranters:[]item_granter_device = array{} # Reference to the infiltrators team. var MaybeInfiltrators:?team = false # Reference to the attackers team. var MaybeAttackers:?team = false # Rerfernece to the defenders team. var MaybeDefenders:?team = false

   6. A variable array of teams named Teams. This holds a reference to all teams in the game, and you'll use this to set the optional team variables above as well as find teams to assign players to when balancing. # Reference to the infiltrators team. var MaybeInfiltrators:?team = false # Reference to the attackers team. var MaybeAttackers:?team = false # Rerfernece to the defenders team. var MaybeDefenders:?team = false # Array of all teams in the game. var Teams:[]team = array{}

Finding Players and Teams at Runtime

1. In OnBegin(), update the Teams array with each team that you set up earlier in Experience Settings. You can use the GetTeams() function from the fort_team_collection API to get an array of all teams in the playspace. OnBegin<override>()<suspends>:void = # Get all the Teams. set Teams = GetPlayspace().GetTeamCollection().GetTeams()

2. Save a reference to each team by assigning MaybeInfiltrators, MaybeAttackers, and MaybeDefenders to their respective teams in the Teams array. # Save the teams to later reference them. set MaybeInfiltrators = option{Teams[0]} set MaybeAttackers = option{Teams[1]} set MaybeDefenders = option{Teams[2]}

3. Now you check if all three teams have been set up correctly. Because MaybeInfiltrators, MaybeAttackers, and MaybeDefenders are each an option, you can do this by checking if they contain a real value. If so, set the value of each team in TeamsAndTotals to the maximum number of players for that team.

   Verse

        if:
            Infiltrators := MaybeInfiltrators?
            Attackers := MaybeAttackers?
            Defenders :=  MaybeDefenders?
            Logger.Print("Found all three teams")
            set TeamsAndTotals[Infiltrators] = MaximumInfiltrators
            set TeamsAndTotals[Attackers] = MaximumAttackers
            set TeamsAndTotals[Defenders] = MaximumDefenders
            Logger.Print("Set all three teams in TeamsAndTotals")
        else:
   
   Expand code Copy full snippet(11 lines long)

4. Your triad_infiltration_game code should now look like:

   Verse

        triad_infiltration_game := class(creative_device):
   
            Logger:log = log{Channel := triad_infiltration_log_channel}
   
            # To avoid players not being able to join a team, you should set the maximum number
            # of players in the island settings to the sum of all of the Maximum(Team) variables.
   
            # Maximum number of players on the Infiltrators Team.
            @editable
            MaximumInfiltrators:int = 2
   
   Expand code Copy full snippet(65 lines long)

5. Save the script in Visual Studio Code, and in the Main Menu, under Verse, click Build Verse Scripts to update your Verse-authored device in the level.

6. Click Launch Session in the UEFN toolbar to playtest the level. When you playtest your level, all three teams should be set up in TeamsAndTotals. Verify this behavior with the log.

   

Next Step

In the next step of this tutorial, you'll learn how to balance teams of players asymmetrically at the start of a game.