Enemigos móviles: programando que gire al chocar

How to improve enemy behavior in a video game?

Video game development is an art that combines creativity and technical knowledge. When it comes to designing a video game in which enemies interact with the environment, it is essential that their behavior is intuitive and realistic. In this section, we will explore a strategy to improve the behavior of an enemy by using collisions with objects on the stage to automate its turning and keep it within a given area.

How to use rocks as collision elements?

Rocks and other environmental elements can play a crucial role in the dynamics of a video game, serving as obstacles that interact with characters. To implement this:

1. Add rocks to the scenery: prefabs can be used to add rocks to the video game environment. It is important to position them strategically and adjust their size as needed.

2. Configure your collider: Make sure the rock's collider is configured to allow the character to jump over it, without going through it. This is accomplished by using the terrain layer that prevents characters from traversing the ground.

3. Strategic placement: Placing the rocks so that the enemy bounces between them keeps the enemy within a specific area of the level, thus preventing them from straying from the desired area.

How to implement enemy collisions?

Implementing collisions in the enemy script can transform how the enemy interacts with the environment. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Collision script: You must modify the enemy script to handle collisions using the OnTriggerEnter2D method. This method will detect when the enemy comes in contact with any other object with a collider.

   void OnTriggerEnter2D(Collider2D collision) { Debug.Log(collision.tag); // Show the tag of the object it collides with if (collision.tag == "Player") { // Logic to affect the player } else if (collision.tag == "Coin") { return; // Do nothing if it collides with a coin } else { // Change the direction of the enemy if it collides with the stage facingRight = !facingRight; } }}

2. Interaction according to the type of collision: Depending on the tag of the object with which it collides, the appropriate behavior must be programmed:

   • With the player: decrease the life bar.
   • With coins: Ignore the collision.
   • With the scenario: Change the direction of movement.

How to adjust the player damage logic?

Player damage is a fundamental aspect of balancing the game. The approach here should be clear and flexible:

1. Using configurable variables: declaring a public variable for the damage inflicted by the enemy allows to modify this value from the Unity editor.

   public int enemyDamage = 10; // Damage the enemy inflicts on the player.

2. Implementation in the code: inside the enemy script, when detecting a collision with the player, the CollectHealth method of the player script must be invoked to adjust its life bar:

   player.GetComponent<PlayerController>().CollectHealth(-enemyDamage);

What to do when scenario or player is not affected?

When the enemy collides with an object that is not significant in the game (such as coins), it is crucial to optimize the behavior so as not to waste resources on unnecessary actions:

• Immediate return: in the face of irrelevant collisions, the action should be to simply return before processing unnecessary additional logic.

How to integrate collision and animation for enhanced visual effect?

The key to achieving convincing enemy behavior is to properly combine physics with animations. Correctly adjusting enemy rotations and state ensures a smooth and natural transition of movement.

• Control variable: Use a boolean variable to determine the direction in which the enemy should be facing.

  facingRight = !facingRight; // Reverses direction when colliding.

• Fixed-time update: Rotation should be handled within a FixedUpdate method, resulting in a smooth, gradual change of direction, noticeable to the player.

As you advance in game development, these techniques will allow you to interact in a more complex way with the environment, improving not only the gameplay but also the aesthetics of the game. With each tweak to the game mechanics, you will shape a more engaging and dynamic virtual world. Keep learning and honing your development skills!