This sounds like a general question but please help. Where the black outlined box lies a boolean that I made within this GameMode_BP class; its meant to decide whether to spawn the player at one of two player start locations. However, on loading a level, where beforehand I set this Tutorial/Main_Game variable which is by default true for pt 1 and false for pt 2, to false before loading, the player still spawns at the same location when it shouldn’t, meaning this variable gets reset to its default value of true. Where then, can I set a variable unaffected by loading in a level? Thanks.
Hi
Use a Game Instance BP.
Without Saving / Loading then this is the only way to store data between levels.
Thanks, I didn’t know that either. Good to know.
Many thanks dude, this worked!
Also, to set that GameInstance, just do it in Project Settings. Had to look a bit for that info too but also good to know.
Glad it worked
As long as it is resolved
Thanks a lot!!! Couldn’t solve this problem for about 4 hours)))
Thanks guys! A lot! This info needs to be in the official docs. Dammit, I’ve spent too much trying to understand why my GameMode kept dropping values on level load.
@vnhllsng Then you didn’t check the docs properly. I remember reading about it in the docs months ago and knew this problem could be solved using the game instance, even though I’ve yet to use it myself.
**Global variables database, and pass it between levels! **
For most questions on this matter, we are suggested to use Direct Blueprint Communication, and it rarely works. The problem with Blueprint Communication is that it’s hard (especially for non-advanced users) to use/get the right or reference or class variable, or not miss a single detail of the setup, which are so many. Even when you do set it up correctly, some variables just won’t go through, depending on the blueprint context. Then you must also define in every class, widget, or blueprint, an instance of the other that contains your variables.
So just DON’T use the Direct Blueprint Communication. It should be used only for its purpose, which is to allow an actor to affect another actor, such as allowing your player to turn on a light. It should not be used to handle your variables and database needs.
SOLUTION DATABASE:
From any Event Graph or Function, whether from your Level Blueprint, an actor or a widget, you can use the blueprint node “All Actors of Class”, and drag out of it an array of all actors from the specified class that exists in your level. Here follows a step by step setup of your local database:
- Create a new blueprint ACTOR, because you are going to put in in your level, and it has to be an actor. Call it “LevelDatabaseActor”
- Place your new LevelDatabaseActor in your level (I put it at origin 0,0,0).
- Add/edit the blueprint of your LDA
- In the Event Graph, create all the variables you wish, and make them visible.
- Compile and save.
- Open any other actor, widget, or blueprint, anywhere with an event graph.
- on any event (BeginPlay?) connect the node “All Actors of Class” and select your “LevelDatabaseActor”.
- From the array output drag a “Get” array item, and leave it to 0.
- From the Get 0, you have access to set or get any variable in your LevelDatabaseActor, from anywhere.
Test your database:
- In your LevelDatabaseActor, create a String variable called “TestVariable”, make it visible, and set the default value to “This will print if I did it correctly.”.
- In your other actor/widget/blueprint/eventgraph, Get All Actors from Class, Get array element 0, get variable “TestVariable”, connected to the Print node.
- Compile and run your level.
- Enjoy some coffee and cookies. You have a new database in blueprint only.
Get 0 vs ForEachLoop:
The ForEachLoop code uses a bit more CPU ressources than a direct call to an item in your array. By habit, most blueprint coders use a ForEachLoop after an “All Actors of Class” because there usually are many instances of that actor calss in your level. Since you are absolutely confident that there is only a single instance of your LocalDatabaseActor class in your entire level, the “All Actors of Class” is certain to return an array containing only one item, in the index 0. For that reason, we are saving a very small amount of CPU by refering directly to the item we want, rather than calling a ForEachLoop structure.
Use the ForEachLoop only when there is a possibility to have more than one instance of a class in your level. When you are certain to have only 1, use the Get arrya item 0. Every micro-cycle of your CPU saved, here and there, is a tad more visual effects your user’s computer or mobile will be able to handle.
Passing your database through levels
To keep your database alive from one level to another, learn to save and load files using the SaveGame blueprint (many tutorials exist). I will hereby take from granted that you know how to use a SaveGame blueprints class.
- Put a single instance of your LocalDatabaseActor in every level.
- Create a SaveGame blueprint called “TransistionFileSG”, containing the same variables as your LocalDatabaseActor.
- Create 2 functions in your LocalDatabaseActor:
- One to save every variable of you LocalDatabaseActor in a transition file (I personally call this file “transitionFile”).
- One to load every variable from your transition file back into your LocalDatabaseActor.
- In both functions you have to get/set each variable separately. - On the verge of exiting a level, call the function to save all your variables in your transition file.
- On entering your new level, call the function to load back all variables.
You passed all your variables from one level to another. More cookies and coffee, or whatever you use to celebrate which won’t prevent you to pursue coding your game.
Hint: In your LocalDatabaseActor and TransitionFileSG, add a few variables that will help you handle your project. Try to plan your debuging needs a head. Add string variables like DataTimeOfFile, GameName, CharacterPlayerName, CharacterSGFileName. You could add a boolean LoadMe that is verified before you load all your stats. When changing a level, set LoadMe to true before calling your save function. On game quit, save your transitionFile with LoadMe set to false. You will know in your load fuction if your transitionFile is outdated from a previous quit game, or fresh from an actual level transition.
I really hope that helps you guys. If my Unreal Engine was not loading a new mesh for the last 6 hours, I would do screen captures of all this. But I figured if you are using variables like that, just reading step by step made sense to you.
I’ll go get myself more coffee and cookies.
Maha,
Maha Merrymaking
This approach just feels very hacky. It would definetely work, but it just feels like a lot of overhead.