Perception Trigger Devices

With the Perception Trigger, you can drive gameplay using line of sight between the device and players. When conditions related to line-of-sight checks are satisfied, the Perception Trigger transmits a signal through a channel to activate other devices.

Click image to enlarge.

1. From Create mode, press the Tab key to open the CREATIVE inventory screen.
2. Click the GALLERIES tab and scroll to select the gallery that has your device. You can also use the Search box or the Categories panel on the left to find the gallery.
3. Click OPEN then select one or more individual devices in the gallery.
4. Click PLACE NOW to place immediately, or put the device in the QUICK BAR to place later.
5. Press Esc to return to your island in Create mode. Use your phone tool to position the device, then left-click to place it. Press Esc to detach the device from your phone.
6. Point at the device with your phone. If the CUSTOMIZE popup doesn't open immediately, move closer until it does, then press E to open the CUSTOMIZE panel.

Customizing a Device Name

If you're using multiple copies of a device on an island, it can be helpful to rename them with context-specific names. For example, if you have multiple perception triggers in different parts of your island or that do differet things, you can rename them according to where they are or what they do.

1. Open the CUSTOMIZE panel and click the Settings (gear) icon on the bottom left of the panel.
2. Click RENAME, and type the new device name. You can use up to 60 characters.
3. Click SAVE.

Once you’ve saved, the new name will appear at the top of the CUSTOMIZE panel. It will also show up when you point at the device with your phone while in Create mode.

Device Options

In its default state, the Perception Trigger does nothing. You must specify a channel to communicate with other devices for this device to be effective. You can configure the device to trigger only for certain classes or teams, to trigger a limited number of times, and to add a trigger delay and a reset delay. You can also configure the device to display a visual effect or play a sound when triggered.

You can configure this device with the following options.

Default values are bold.

Basic Options

All Options (Additional)

Direct Event Binding System

Direct event binding allows devices to communicate directly, which makes your workflow more intuitive, and gives you more freedom to focus on your design ideas. With this system, devices communicate directly with other devices.

Below are the functions and events for this device.

Perception Trigger Functions

Perception Trigger Events

Design Examples

Here are some examples of how you can use the Perception Trigger device.

• Hide and Seek
• Moving Target

Hide and Seek

Create a hide-and-seek game using the Perception Trigger as the seeker. To make the game more interesting, turn the Perception Trigger on and off every 5 seconds to give the player opportunities to move around the room.

Devices used:

• 1 x Perception Trigger
• 1 x Damage Volume
• 1 x HUD Message
• 2 x Timed Objective

1. Create a simple hide-and-seek area with different obstacles to block the seeker’s sightline.

2. Place a Damage Volume in the center of the play area and customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Place a HUD Message outside of the play area and customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Place a large Perception Trigger toward one end of the play area and customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Set the direct event bindings of the Perception Trigger to the following:

   

1. To create the effect of the eye turning on and off every 5 seconds, you will use two Timed Objectives. Place a Timed Objective outside of the play area. This will be the device that enables the Perception Trigger, so give it a clear name. Customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Place another Timed Objective outside of the play area. This will be the device that disables the Perception Trigger, so give it a clear name that differentiates it from the other Timed Objective. Customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Set the direct event bindings of the first Timed Objective to the following:

   

1. Set the direct event bindings of the second Timed Objective to the following:

   

Here’s an overview of how devices communicate in this example:

You now have the basic functionality for a hide and seek game using the Perception Trigger.

This basic functionality could be extended and applied in many different game modes for interesting results. You could create a game where the player needs to reach a certain objective without being spotted. Or consider exploring a competitive multiplayer mode in which players have to battle one another while avoiding being seen by the eye. There are many possibilities, so try to find creative ways to combine different game mechanics in new and unexpected ways.

Moving Target

Use the Perception Trigger’s player sightline functionality to change the game based on where the player is looking. In this example, create targets that disappear one second after the player first sees them.

Devices used:

• 3 x Perception Trigger
• 1 x Item Granter
• 1 x Player Spawner
• 3 x Prop Manipulator
• 3 x Trigger
• 1 x Random Number Generator

1. Place an Item Granter and, while standing near it, drop a Tactical Assault Rifle to register the weapon.

2. Place a Player Spawner in a central location and keep the default settings. Set the direct event bindings to the following:

   

1. Place a target prop and attach a Prop Manipulator to it. Customize the Prop Manipulator to the following settings:

   

1. In front of the target prop, place a Perception Trigger and customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Place a Trigger and customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Set the direct event bindings of the Trigger to the following:

   

1. Place a Random Number Generator away from the play area and customize it to the following settings:

   

1. Set the direct event bindings of the Perception Trigger to the following:

   

1. Select the target prop, Prop Manipulator, Perception Trigger, and Trigger, then duplicate them two more times in different areas around the player.

2. Move each of the three Triggers that correspond with the different targets into the three different trigger zone areas of the Random Number Generator.

Here’s an overview of how devices communicate in this example:

You now have the basic functionality for targets that disappear based on when the player looks at them.

To spruce up the gameplay in this example, explore using Prop Movers to create targets that also move when they are enabled. Explore adding obstacles and barricades to force the player to move around in the area as well.

When using the Perception Trigger, be very aware of how objects are placed on your island. This example would be much less effective if all of the targets were close to one another and the player could see all three at once. Additionally, if the player moves outside of the center of the three targets, the same issue will occur. Be intentional about the level design of your island to ensure that the player can only go where you intend them to.