Ascender Device Design Examples

The Ascender device is a fast-moving cable mechanism that players can use to travel up or down.

Following are three examples of fun ways to use this device.

Example 1: High Ground Ascender

The ascender is great for giving players a way to gain the high ground in a competitive environment.

Devices Used

• 1 x Ascender device
• 1 x Player Spawner device
• 1 x Item Granter device
• 1 x Guard Spawner device

Set Up the Devices

1. Place the Pueblo Bell Tower from the Prefabs category under the Content browser to establish the high ground.
2. Place a Player Spawner device on the ground.

3. Place an Item Granter device and register a Legendary Tactical Assault Rifle to the device. Customize the Item Granter as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Receiving Players	All	Any player can receive the rifle.
   Grant on Game Start	On	The player receives the rifle at the start of the game.

4. Place an Ascender device leading up to the top of the tower.

5. Customize the ascender as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Ascender Style	Wall	The ascender looks like a wall.

6. Place a Guard Spawner on the ground.

7. Customize the device as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Guard Team Option	Team Wildlife & Creatures	Sets the team the guards are assigned to.

You now have the basic functionality for a high ground advantage using the Ascender device!

Design Tip

Gaining the high ground is a huge advantage in many competitive modes and can be tied into many interesting gameplay choices.

Consider giving the player a choice to either take a slow but protected interior stairwell or a fast but exposed Ascender when trying to climb a building.

Example 2: Build an Alarm Ascender

The Ascender device can be configured to send events when players begin or end ascending or descending. In this example, you’ll use this functionality to create an ascender connected to an alarm system that triggers when players ascend.

Devices Used

• 1 x Ascender device
• 1 x Player Spawner device
• 5 x Customizable Light devices
• 5 x Audio Player devices

Set Up the Play Area

1. Place the Castle prefab.
2. Place a Player Spawner device on the ground outside of the castle.

3. Customize the Player Spawner by setting Visible in Game to Off:

   
4. Place an Ascender device leading up the side of the castle.

Configure the Alarm System

1. Place a Customizable Light device near the top of the ascender.

2. Customize the light as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Initial State	Off	Starts the game with the light off. It will remain off until triggered.
   Light Color	#FF0100	A red light builds the tension.
   Light Intensity	25%	Softens the light.
   Light Size	Huge (100)	Sets how much area the light will shine on.
   Rhythm Preset	Wave	Makes the light change in a rhythmic pattern.
   Rhythm Time	X8	How fast the pattern changes.

3. Configure the following functions on the light to turn it on when the player reaches the top of the ascender.

   

   Function	Select Device	Select Event
   Turn On	Ascender	Ascend End

4. Place an Audio Player device.

5. Customize the audio player as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Audio	Threat	This option makes an alarming sound.
   Visible in Game	On	Players can see the device in-game.
   Play on Hit	Off	Doesn't make a sound if the player collides with it.
   Mesh	Loudspeaker	The device will appear as a loudspeaker in-game.

6. Configure the following functions on the audio player to play the sound when the player finishes ascending.

   

   Function	Select Device	Select Event
   Play	Ascender	Ascend End

7. Duplicate the Customizable Light and Audio Player devices four times each, placing them around the castle.

You now have the basic functionality for a system that triggers an alarm when a player uses the ascender.

Design Tip

This functionality could be very engaging in an asymmetrical game mode where one team defends a base while another team attempts to infiltrate it.

Consider using this system to increase the tension in a single-player heist game mode!

Example 3: Build a Boss Battle Entrance with the Ascender!

The Ascender device can be enabled and disabled with events from other devices, making it perfect for a traversal method that can be unlocked.

In this example, you’ll set up a basic adventure game with a locked ascender that ultimately carries the player up to the boss battle!

Devices Used

• 1 x Ascender device
• 1 x Player Spawner device
• 1 x Item Granter device
• 6 x Creature Placer devices
• 1 x Elimination Manager device
• 1 x Conditional Button device
• 1 x Radio device
• 1 x Post Process device
• 1 x End Game device

Set Up the Starting Area

1. Begin with the Temperate Island starter island. Place a Player Spawner device in the northwest valley of the Island. Customize the spawner Visible in Game option to Off.

   

2. Place five Creature Placer devices along the path leading up the hill.

   

3. Customize the creature placers as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Creature Type	Red Fiend	Vary this setting between the Creature Placers to create interesting gameplay.
   Activation Range	5.0 Tiles	Vary this setting between the Creature Placers to create interesting gameplay.

4. Place an Elimination Manager device, then register a stack of gold to the device.

5. Customize the elimination manager as follows:

   Option	Value	Description
   Target Type	All creatures	This applies to any creatures you add.
   Run Over Pickup	On	Lets the player pick up an item by running over it.

6. Place a Post Process device.

7. Customize the device by setting the Post Process Effect option to Horror Movie to make things look creepy.

   

Consider adding more trees, rocks, or other props along the path to give it a more natural feel!

Set Up the Ascender

1. Using assets from the Farm Building gallery, create a platform on the top of the hill that extends out over the end of the path.
2. On the end of the platform, place an Ascender device.

3. Customize the device by setting the Enabled During Phase option to None.

   
4. Place a Conditional Button device at the end of the path, below where the ascender cable would extend to. Register a stack of gold to the device.

5. Customize the device as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Interact Time	1.0 Second
   Key Items Required	5

Configure the Boss Battle

1. At the top of the hill, place a final Creature Placer device and name it Boss Creature Placer. You will use this one to create your boss for the boss fight.

2. Customize the device as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Creature Type	Major Ice Brute	This creature type makes a good boss!
   Activation Range	3.0 Tiles	How close the player has to get before the creature is activated.

3. Place an Item Granter device and register a Pump Shotgun to it.

4. Customize the Item Granter by setting the Spare Weapon Ammo to 999.

   

5. Place a Radio device and customize it as follows:

   

   Option	Value	Description
   Audio	High Action
   Limit Audio Distance	Off
   Volume	2.0
   Play at Location	Registered Players

6. Place an End Game device and set the Custom Victory Callout option to Boss Defeated!

   

Bind Functions / Events

Direct event binding is how you set devices to communicate directly with other devices. This involves setting functions and events for the devices involved.

1. Configure the following event on the Conditional Button device to enable the ascender when the player activates it.

   

   Event	Select Device	Select Function
   On Activated	Ascender	Enable

2. Configure the following events on the ascender to grant the shotgun to the player and start the boss music when they reach the top of the hill.

   (w:600)

   Event	Select Device	Select Function
   Ascend End	Radio	Play
   Ascend End	Radio	Register Player
   Item Granter	Item Granter	Grant Item

3. Configure the following events on the Boss Creature Placer device to end the game when the boss is defeated.

   (w:600)

   Event	Select Device	Select Function
   On Eliminated	End Game Device	Activate

Modify Island Settings

Make the following modifications to the island settings.

1. Go to Island Settings > Player.

2. Under Build Mode, change Allow Building to None.

   
3. Under Inventory, change Infinite Building Materials to Off.
4. Go to Island Settings > World.

5. Under Ambiance, change Light Brightness to 50%.

   

You now have the basic functionality for a system that uses an ascender to create a dramatic boss battle entrance!

Design Tip

Turning an ascender on and off based on other conditions can be a powerful way to give players an unlockable advantage in a competitive game mode.

Try connecting the ascender to a Tracker device and requiring players to complete specific objectives to unlock use of the device.

Also, think of other effects that could be triggered when players ride the ascender to create more dramatic and exciting gameplay moments!