You can control lots of different aspects of the creatures spawned in your game, from their appearance to when and how often they spawn.
Have a look at some interesting ways to manage creature spawning in these examples.
Unique Creature Rush
You can combine the Creature Spawner device with the Creature Manager device to create unique enemy behavior.
Devices Used
1 x Creature Spawner device
1 x Player Spawner device
1 x Creature Manager device
Set Up the Gameplay
Place a Player Spawner device.
Place a Creature Spawner device.
Customize the Creature Spawner as follows:
Option Value Creature Type
Fiend
Place a Creature Manager device.
Customize the Creature Manager as follows:
Option Value Health
1
Movement Speed
Very Fast
You now have the basic functionality for a unique fiend enemy!
Design Tip
This basic combination of devices can be used to create precisely balanced creature gameplay. If you’re using random enemy spawns on the Creature Spawner, consider using multiple Creature Managers for different creature types to get unique behavior for every different creature!
Puzzle Creature Spawner
The Creature Spawner device has functions that can eliminate creatures and even destroy the entire spawner when an event is called. In this example, you’ll use this functionality to create a Creature Spawner that can only be destroyed by completing a simple puzzle.
Devices Used
1 x Creature Spawner device
1 x Player Spawner device
1 x Item Granter device
3 x Prop Manipulator devices
1 x Tracker device
Set Up the Basic Gameplay
Place a Player Spawner device.
Customize the Player Spawner as follows:
Option Value Visible in Game
Off
Place an Item Granter device and register a Tactical Assault Rifle to the device.
Customize the Item Granter as follows:
Option Value Receiving Players
All
Spare Weapon Ammo
999
Grant on Game Start
On
Place a Creature Spawner device.
Customize the Creature Spawner as follows:
Option Value Invincible Spawner
On
Max Spawn Distance
3.0 Tiles
Preferred Spawn Location
Random
Create the Puzzle
Place a Tracker device.
Customize the Tracker as follows:
Option Value Stat to Track
Events
Target Value
3
Tracker Title
Idols
Description Text
Destroy the Idols!
Configure the following event on the Tracker so that when the player completes their objective, the creatures will be eliminated and the spawner will be destroyed.
Event Select Device Select Function When Complete Send Event To
Creature Spawner
Destroy Spawner
When Complete Send Event To
Creature Spawner
Eliminate Creatures
Place a statue from the Jungle Temple Prop Gallery.
Place a Prop Manipulator device connected to the statue.
Customize the Prop Manipulator as follows:
Option Value Mopdify Prop Health
Yes
Prop Health
200
Configure the following event on the Prop Manipulator so that when the player destroys it, it increments the objective progress on the Tracker.
Event Select Device Select Function On Destroyed Send Event To
Tracker
Increment Progress
Duplicate the statue and Prop Manipulator twice and place them in various visible locations around the area.
You now have the functionality for a Creature Spawner that can only be destroyed by completing a separate objective!
Design Tip
Enemies like creatures can be a great way to create tension while the player completes other gameplay objectives. After all, a puzzle is always harder when you're being chased by a horde of monsters!
Build a Creature Survival Game!
The Creature Spawner has built-in settings that can make it very easy to theme the enemies with a consistent aesthetic. In this example, you’ll use this functionality to create a creature survival game set in an arctic tundra!
Devices Used
3 x Creature Spawner devices
1 x Player Spawner device
2 x Item Granter devices
1 x Elimination Manager device
1 x Health Powerup device
3 x Conditional Button devices
1 x Quadcrusher Spawner device
Set Up the Basic Gameplay
Start with the Arctic Island starter island.
Place the Ice House Hut A prefab.
Use a Billboard device to label the building as the shop.
Place a Player Spawner device in front of the shop.
Customize the Player Spawner as follows:
Option Value Visible in Game
Off
Place an Item Granter device and register a Tactical Assault Rifle to the device.
Customize the Item Granter as follows:
Option Value Receiving Players
All
Spare Weapon Ammo
999
Grant on Game Start
Place an Elimination Manager device and register Gold to the device.
Customize the Elimination Manager as follows:
Option Value Target Type
All Creatures
Run Over Pickup
On
Place a Creature Spawner device in front of the shop.
Customize the Creature Spawner as follows:
Option Value Spawner Type
Ice Spawner
Creature Type
Ice Random
Number of Creatures
2
Activation Range
5.0 Tiles
Max Spawn Distance
1.0 Tiles
Restore Player Shield on Elimination
Off
Duplicate this Creature Spawner two more times and place them both away from the shop, raising the Number of Creatures on each to 4 and 6 respectively.
Configure the Shop
Place a Health Powerup device.
Customize the Health Powerup as follows:
Option Value Effect
Set To
Effect Magnitude
100
Time To Respawn
Instant
Ambient Audio
Off
Pick Up Audio
Off
Who Can See This Powerup
None
Place a Conditional Button device for the health upgrade and register Gold to the device.
Label it with a Billboard.
Customize the Conditional Button as follows:
Option Value Interact Text
Buy Health
Key Items Required
2
Configure the following event on the Conditional Button so that when the player pays, their health is restored.
Event Select Device Select Function On Activated Send Event To
Health Powerup
Pickup
Place an Item Granter and register a Legendary Tactical Assault Rifle to the device.
Customize the Item Granter as follows:
Option Value Spare Weapon Ammo
999
Place a Conditional Button for the weapon upgrade and register Gold to the device. Label it with a Billboard.
Customize the Conditional Button as follows:
Option Value Interact Text
Buy Weapon Upgrade
Key Items Required
5
Configure the following event on the Conditional Button so that when the player pays, they receive an upgraded weapon.
Event Select Device Select Function On Activated Send Event To
Weapon Upgrade Item Granter
Grant Item
Place a Quadcrusher Spawner device outside the shop.
Customize the Quadcrusher Spawner as follows:
Options Value Enabled During Phase
None
Visible During Game
Place a Conditional Button for the Quadcrusher and register Gold to the device. Label it with a Billboard.
Customize the Conditional Button as follows:
Option Value Interact Text
Buy Quadcrusher
Key Items Required
8
Configure the following event on the Conditional Button so that when the player pays, the Quadcrusher spawns.
Event Select Device Select Function On Activated Send Event To
Quadcrusher Spawner
Enable
Modify Island Settings
Make the following modifications to the island settings.
Go to Island Settings > User Interface.
Under HUD, change Show Gold Resource Count to On.
You now have the core functionality for an icy creature survival game!
Design Tip
Consider how you could use the built-in events on the Creature Spawner to create an even more immersive experience. For example, you could connect a Creature Spawner to an Audio Player and have an ominous sound effect play anytime a creature is spawned. With these events, the possibilities are endless!