VFX Spawner Device Design Examples

You can use the VFX Spawner device to give players feedback, reinforce the theme of a space, or signal gameplay events by using special effects.

The examples here show three common use cases: a finish-line effect, a destruction game with prop-based reactions, and a healing zone with layered ambient and interactive effects.

Finish Line Effects

Use the VFX Spawner to quickly set up effects that give players feedback. In this example, you'll create a finish line trigger for a race that starts fireworks.

Devices Used

• 1 x VFX Spawner device

• 1 x Player Spawner device 

• 1 x Trigger device

Set Up the Devices

1. Place a Player Spawner device.

2. Place a finish line asset from the Obstacle Course Parts Gallery.

3. Place a Trigger and size it to cover the entire finish line.

   

4. Customize the Trigger as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Visible In Game	Off
   Trigger VFX	Off
   Trigger SFX	Off

5. Place a VFX Spawner in the sky above the finish line.

6. Customize the VFX Spawner as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Visual Effect	FireworksLarge
   Enabled on Phase	None

7. Configure the following event on the Trigger so that the VFX Spawner starts when the player crosses the finish line.

   

   Event	Select Device	Select Function
   On Triggered Send Event To	VFX Spawner	Enable

You now have a working finish line effect.

Design Tip

Fireworks are an effective way to reward a player for completing a goal, but there are many other visual effects to explore. Try using the VFX Spawner to create ambient particle effects that change the feel of a space — like the fog effect, for example.

Build a Transformer Destruction Game

VFX Spawners can also be configured to use a one-time burst effect, such as an explosion. In this example, you’ll use that functionality (along with some other VFX Spawners for additional effects) to create a game mode where the player must destroy transformers!

Devices Used

• 10 x VFX Spawners

• 1 x Player Spawner

• 1 x Item Granter

• 1 x Tracker

• 1 x Timer

• 5 x Beacons

• 5 x Prop Manipulators

Set Up the Basic Gameplay

1. Start with the Tilted Towers POI Island starter island.

2. Place a Player Spawner.

3. Customize the Player Spawner as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Visible in Game	Off

4. Place an Item Granter and register a Tactical Assault Rifle to the device.

5. Customize the Item Granter as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Receiving Players	All
   Grant on Game Start	On

6. Place a Tracker. This tracks how many transformers the player has destroyed and ends the game when they destroy all of them.

7. Customize the Tracker as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Stat to Track	Events
   Target Value	5
   When Target Is Reached	End Round
   Tracker Title	Transformers
   Description Text	Destroy the Transformers!
   Quest Icon	Zap

8. Place a Timer.

9. Customize the Timer as follows:

   

   

   Option	Value
   Start on Game Start	On
   Can Interact	No
   Success on Timer End	False
   Visible During Game	Hidden
   Timer Color	White
   Display Time In	Seconds Only
   Timer Running Text	Destroy all of the Transformers in…
   Enable Urgency Mode	On
   Urgency Mode Time	15.0 Seconds

10. Configure the following event on the Timer so that if the player doesn't complete the objective before the Timer runs out, the Tracker is removed and the objective can't be completed.

    

    Event	Select Device	Select Function
    On Failure Send Event To	Tracker	Remove from All

Configure the Transformers

1. Place a transformer prop from the Power Plant Prop Gallery.

2. Place a Beacon just above the transformer.

3. Customize the Beacon as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Beacon To Show	Badge
   Custom Beacon Color	Aqua
   Badge Uses Beacon Color	On
   Icon Identifier	Zap
   Hide HUD Icon At	500M
   Display Distance Text	On
   Requires Line of Sight	Off

   

4. Place a VFX Spawner on top of the transformer. This creates the sparking effect when the transformer is damaged.

5. Customize the VFX Spawner as follows:

6. Place another VFX Spawner in the middle of the transformer. This creates the lightning explosion when the transformer is destroyed.

7. Customize the VFX Spawner as follows:

8. Place a Prop Manipulator connected to the transformer prop.

9. Customize the Prop Manipulator as follows:

10. Configure the following events on the Prop Manipulator. When the transformer is damaged, the sparking effect plays. When it's destroyed, the lightning explosion plays, the Tracker increments the player's progress, and the Beacon and sparking effect are disabled.

11. Select all of these devices — the Prop Manipulator, two VFX Spawners, Beacon, and transformer prop — and copy and paste them four more times around the map.

You now have a minigame where the player destroys transformers within a time limit.

Design Tip

The VFX Spawner pairs well with the Prop Manipulator for showing, hiding, and destroying objects. A well-timed burst effect makes these moments feel more natural and impactful, so keep this combo in mind!

Build a Survival Game with a Healing Zone

The VFX Spawner works with other devices to indicate different functionality for different areas of a map. In this example, you'll use VFX Spawners and other devices to create a healing zone in a survival game.

Devices Used

• 3 x VFX Spawners

• 1 x Player Spawner

• 1 x Item Granter

• 3 x Creature Spawners

• 1 x Tracker

• 1 x Elimination Manager

• 1 x Health Powerup

• 1 x Volume

Set Up the Basic Gameplay

1. Start with the Greasy Grove POI starter island.

2. Place a Player Spawner.

3. Customize the Player Spawner as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Visible in Game	Off

4. Place an Item Granter and register a Tactical Assault Rifle to the device.

5. Customize the Item Granter as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Receiving Players	All
   Spare Weapon Ammo	999
   Grant on Game Start	On

6. Place a Creature Spawner near the Player Spawner.

7. Customize the Creature Spawner as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Spawner Visibility	Off

8. Duplicate this Creature Spawner two more times between the Player Spawner and the basketball court.

9. Place a Tracker.

10. Customize the Tracker as follows:

    

    Option	Value
    Stat to Track	Events
    When Target Is Reached	End Round
    Tracker Title	Eliminations
    Description Text	Eliminate Creatures!
    Quest Icon	Enemy

11. Place an Elimination Manager.

12. Customize the Elimination Manager as follows:

    

    Option	Value
    Target Type	All Creatures

13. Configure the following event on the Elimination Manager so that when a creature is eliminated, the Tracker's progress increments.

Configure the Healing Zone

There are three VFX Spawners for different purposes in the healing zone:

• Ambient VFX Spawner: Plays a continuous effect to indicate to the player where the zone is when they're outside it.

• Enter Healing Zone VFX Spawner: Plays a burst effect to indicate to the player that they've entered the zone and healing has started.

• Healing VFX Spawner: Plays a continuous effect to indicate to the player that they're inside the zone and healing.

1. In the middle of the basketball court, place a VFX Spawner. This will be the Ambient VFX Spawner.

2. Customize the VFX Spawner as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Visual Effect	Embers
   Colorize VFX	On
   Custom Color	Apple Green

3. Place another VFX Spawner. This will be the Enter Healing Zone VFX Spawner.

4. Customize the VFX Spawner as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Effect Type	Burst
   Burst Visual Effect	Explosion Electrical
   Colorized VFX	On
   Custom Color	Apple Green

5. Place one more VFX Spawner. This will be the Healing VFX Spawner.

6. Customize the VFX Spawner as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Visual Effect	Falling Sparkles
   Sound Effect	Health_Zone
   Enabled on Phase	Explosion Electrical
   Colorized VFX	On
   Custom Color	Apple Green
   Spawn Rate	2.0X

7. Place a Health Powerup.

8. Customize the Health Powerup as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Effect Magnitude	10
   Infinite Effect Duration	Yes
   Time To Respawn	Instant
   Ambient Audio	Off
   Pick Up Audio	Off
   Who Can See This Powerup	None

9. Place a Volume in the center of the basketball court and customize it as follows:

   

   Option	Value
   Volume Width	4.0
   Volume Depth	3.0
   Creature and Wildlife Events Enabled	Off

10. Configure the following event on the Volume so that when the player enters it, the Health Powerup triggers, the Enter Healing Zone VFX plays, the Healing VFX begins playing, and the Ambient VFX stops playing. When the player leaves the zone, the Health Powerup stops, the Healing VFX stops, and the Ambient VFX starts playing again.

    

    

    Event	Select Device	Select Function
    On Enter Send Event To	Health Powerup	Pickup
    On Enter Send Event To	Healing VFX Spawner	Enable
    On Enter Send Event To	Enter Healing Zone VFX Spawner	Restart
    On Enter Send Event To	Ambient VFX Spawner	Disable
    On Exit Send Event To	Health Powerup	Clear
    On Exit Send Event To	Healing VFX Spawner	Disable
    On Exit Send Event To	Ambient VFX Spawner	Enable

You now have a survival game with a well-indicated healing zone!

Design Tip

VFX is a great, subtle way to hint to a player that they should check out a certain area of the map. Outside of a healing zone, try using the VFX Spawner to guide players toward new areas that they should explore or difficult to find collectible items!