Knowledge Base
HomeProductsCommunityReviewsSocial
Old Knowledge Base
Old Knowledge Base
  • Knowledge Base
    • Getting to know us
  • Where to Buy
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Heathen License Agreement
  • General
    • ๐Ÿ”ŽTable of Contents
    • ๐ŸคฉGetting Started
      • Indie Check List
      • Sourcing Resources
        • ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธCommunity
        • ๐Ÿงžโ€โ™‚๏ธManaged Services
        • ๐Ÿ“ฃMarketing
        • ๐ŸงชTesting
    • ๐ŸงžTips and Tricks
      • Fundamentals
        • Development Phases
      • Unity
        • Package Manager Installs
          • Missing asset after update
        • Unity Release Version
      • Unreal
        • Unity to Unreal
        • Quick Start
    • ๐Ÿ“Design
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
      • ๐ŸฅพBootstraping
      • ๐Ÿค‘Monetization
        • What not to do
        • Models
          • Free
          • Free to Play
          • Pay to Play
          • Pay to Win
          • Play to Earn
        • Tools
          • ๐Ÿ˜กArtificial Scarcity
          • ๐Ÿค‘Bundles
          • ๐Ÿค”Community Marketplace
          • ๐Ÿค‘Expansions
          • ๐Ÿ˜กFear of Missing Out (FOMO)
          • ๐Ÿ˜กGatcha Mechanics
          • ๐Ÿค”Microtransactions (MTX)
          • ๐Ÿ˜กNFT
            • ๐Ÿ˜กBlockchain
          • ๐Ÿค”No Spend Cap
          • ๐Ÿ˜กPremium Currency
          • ๐Ÿค”Season
          • ๐Ÿค‘Subscription
          • ๐Ÿ˜กSurprise Mechanics
      • ๐ŸŽฎMultiplayer
        • Networking Tools
        • Terminology
      • ๐ŸคนMulti-Scene Architecture
      • ๐ŸŒProject Architecture
      • ๐Ÿ˜ŠPlayer Motivation
    • ๐Ÿ—๏ธDevelopment
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
      • โ˜Ž๏ธCallbacks & Delegates
      • โ”Conditional Compilation
      • ๐ŸชณDebugging
      • ๐ŸšงDevOps
        • โ˜•Team Collaboration
        • ๐Ÿ›‚Git Control & Unity
      • โ‰๏ธError Handling
        • System Dialog
        • Reporting
      • ๐ŸคฏIntelliSense
      • ๐ŸชถLambda Expressions
      • ๐Ÿคนโ€โ™€๏ธMulti Platform Projects
      • ๐Ÿ“‘Namespace and Using
      • ๐ŸŽฎUnity's "New" Input System
      • ๐Ÿ”ผUpdating Visual Studio and C#
      • ๐Ÿ’กVisual Scripting
    • โš ๏ธPublishers
    • ๐ŸงชTesting
      • ๐Ÿ‘‹Introduction
      • โœ๏ธWriting Formal Tests
    • ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธCommunity
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
    • ๐Ÿ“ฃMarketing
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
      • ๐Ÿ“ŒTips and Tactics
      • ๐Ÿค“Market Research
    • ๐Ÿ“†Release
    • ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธLive
  • Steam
    • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
    • ๐Ÿ†Achievements
    • ๐ŸŒณBranches
    • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธCommunity Hub
    • โฌ†๏ธUploading to Steam
    • โ˜๏ธCloud Save
    • ๐Ÿ†”CSteamID
    • ๐Ÿ”ŽDiscovery Queue
    • ๐Ÿ•น๏ธDownloadable Content
    • ๐ŸšซEarly Access
    • ๐Ÿ–ฑ๏ธInput
    • ๐Ÿ“ฆInventory
      • ๐Ÿ”จCrafting System
      • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธItem Definition Tools
      • ๐Ÿ’ธMicrotransactions
      • ๐ŸŽPromo Items
    • ๐ŸšขLaunch
    • ๐Ÿฅ‡Leaderboards
      • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธAdvanced Profiles
    • ๐ŸŽฎMultiplayer
      • โ˜๏ธGetting Started
      • ๐ŸงชDev and Test
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€โš–๏ธAuthentication
      • ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธLobby
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘Matchmaking
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”งRich Presence
      • ๐Ÿ’ฌRoom Systems
      • ๐Ÿ’Steam Game Server
        • ๐Ÿ‘ทBuilds
        • โš™๏ธConfiguration
        • ๐Ÿ“‹Server Browser
        • ๐ŸงSetup Linux
      • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธTerminology
    • ๐ŸคนMulti-Platform Project
    • ๐ŸงชPlaytest
    • ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธRemote Play
    • ๐Ÿ‘€Reviews
    • ๐ŸƒRunning a Build
    • ๐Ÿ’ถSales
    • โญStats
    • ๐Ÿ”‘Steam API Key
    • ๐Ÿ“ƒsteam_appid.txt
    • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธSteam Deck
    • โš™๏ธSteamworks
    • ๐ŸคฏStore Page
    • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธWorkshop
      • Creating an Item
      • In-Game Browser
      • Subscribed Items
    • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸซUser Information
      • Unity User Tools
      • Unreal User Tools
    • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธVoice
  • Toolkit for Steamworks
    • Introduction
    • Maintenance Cycle
    • F.A.Q
    • Unity
      • โš ๏ธKnown Issues
      • Unity Asset Refund Policy
      • Installation
        • Networking Integrations
      • Getting Started
      • Debugging
      • Learning
      • API Extensions
        • App.Client
        • App.Server
        • App.Web
        • Authentication
        • BigPicture.Client
        • Clans.Client
        • Friends.Client
        • Input.Client
        • Inventory.Client
        • Leaderboards.Client
        • Matchmaking.Client
        • Overlay.Client
        • Parties.Client
        • RemotePlay.Client
        • RemoteStorage.Client
        • Screenshots.Client
        • StatsAndAchievements.Client
        • StatsAndAchievements.Server
        • User.Client
        • UserGeneratedContent.Client
        • Utilities
        • Utilities.Client
        • Voice.Client
      • Objects
        • Classes
          • Achievement Data
          • Achievement Object
          • App Data
          • Authentication Session
          • Authentication Ticket
          • Avg Rate Stat
          • Chat Room
          • Clan Chat Msg
          • Clan Data
          • Currency
          • Data Model
          • DLC Data
          • Downloadable Content Object
          • Favorite Game
          • Float Stat
          • Game Data
          • Input Action
          • Input Action Data
          • Input Action Set
          • Input Action Set Data
          • Input Action Set Layer
          • Input Action Update
          • Input Controller Data
          • Int Stat
          • Inventory Result
          • Item Data
          • Item Definition
          • Item Detail
          • Leaderboard Data
          • Leaderboard Entry
          • Leaderboard Object
          • Lobby Chat Msg
          • Lobby Data
          • Lobby Game Server
          • Lobby Member Data
          • Party Beacon Details
          • Rank Change
          • Remote Storage File
          • Stat Data
          • Steam Game Server Configuration
          • UGC Query
          • User Data
          • Steam Settings
            • Colors
            • Game Client
              • Inventory Settings
            • Game Server
          • User Leave Data
          • Workshop Item
          • Workshop Item Data
          • Workshop Item Data Create Status
          • Workshop Item Key Value Tag
          • Workshop Item Preview File
        • Components
          • Friend Manager
          • Game Server Browser Manager
          • Input Action Event
          • Input Action Glyph
          • Input Action Name
          • Inventory Manager
          • Item Shopping Cart Manager
          • Leaderboard Manager
          • Leaderboard User Entry
          • Overlay Manager
          • Steam Game Server Events
          • Steam Input Manager
          • Steamworks Event Triggers
          • UGC Query Manager
          • Voice Recorder
          • Voice Stream
        • Enums
          • Friend Dialog
          • Inventory Item Type
          • Language Codes
          • Overlay Dialog
          • Sample Rate Method
          • Valve Price Categories
        • Prefabs
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆClan Chat
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆClan List
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆClan Member Count
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Avatar
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Groups
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend List
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Name
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Profile
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆSelectable Friend ID
        • Programming Tools
          • IChatMessage
          • ILeaderboardEntryDisplay
          • IUserProfile
          • IWorkshopBrowserItemTemplate
          • LobbyMemberSlot
          • User Invite Button
        • UI Components
          • Chat Auto Join
          • Chat Stream
          • Clan Chat Director
          • Clan Chat Member Counter
          • Clan Chat Member List
          • Clan List
          • Clan Profile
          • Friend Group
          • Friend Groups Display
          • Friend Invite Dropdown
          • Friend List
          • Friend Profile
            • Image Field
            • Message Options
            • Text Field
          • Input Action Glyph
          • Input Action Name
          • Leaderboard Entry UI Record
          • Leaderboard UI List
          • Lobby Chat Director
          • Lobby Member Slot
          • Lobby Manager
          • Party Lobby Control
          • Quick Match Lobby Control
          • Rich Presence Reader
          • Rich Presence Setter
          • Set Achievement Description
          • Set Achievement Icon
          • Set Achievement Name
          • Set User Avatar
          • Set User Id Input Field
          • Set User Id Label
          • Set User Name
          • Toggle Event Helper
          • Workshop Browser Simple Item Record
      • Legacy
        • Troubleshooting
        • Getting Started
          • GameObject Initialization
          • ScriptableObject Initialization
          • API Initialization
        • Build Upload Tool
        • Debugging Tools
          • Testing
        • Components
          • Steamworks Behaviour
          • Steamworks Creator
          • Steam System Events
    • Unreal
      • What's New!
      • Installation
      • Getting Started
      • Updating Steamworks SDK
      • Packaging
      • Game Instance
      • Sockets Net Driver
      • Online Subsystem
      • Data Assets
        • Achievement
        • Downloadable Content
        • Inventory Item
        • Leaderboard
        • Stat
      • Widgets
        • BP_FriendsListDisplay
        • BP_FriendsListEntry
        • BP_FriendsListGroup
        • BP_SteamAvatarImage
        • BP_SteamUserName
      • Blueprint Nodes
        • Functions
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd Favorite Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd History Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd Promo Item
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd Request Lobby List Filter
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdvertise Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAssociate with Clan
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAttach Leaderboard UGC
          • ๐Ÿ”ตBegin Auth Session
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCancel Auth Ticket
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCheck Result Steam ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClear All Key Values
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClear Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClear Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClient Initialize
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClient Run Callbacks
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClient Should Restart
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCompue New Player Compatibility
          • ๐Ÿ”ตConsume Item
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCreate Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDecompress Voice
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDelete Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDeserialize Result
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDestroy Result
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDownload Leaderboard Entries
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDownload Leaderboard Entries for Users
          • ๐Ÿ”ตEnd Auth Session
          • ๐Ÿ”ตExchange Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตFind Leaderboard
          • ๐Ÿ”ตFind or Create Leaderboard
          • ๐Ÿ“‚Game Server Browser
            • ๐Ÿ”ตPing Server
            • ๐Ÿ”ตPlayer Details
            • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Server List
            • ๐Ÿ”ตServer Rules
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGenerate Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement Icon
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement Is Achieved
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet All Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet App Build ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet App Id
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet App Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Auth Session Ticket
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Auth Ticket for Web API
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Available Game Languages
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Available Voice
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Coplay Friends
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Current Beta Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Current Game Language
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet DLC Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet DLC Data By Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet DLC Download Progress
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Earliest Purchase
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Favorite Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friends
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Coplay Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Coplay Time
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Count from Source
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Game Played
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Groups
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Group Members
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Group Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Persona Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Followed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Installed Depots
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Item Definition Properties
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Item Price
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Items with Price
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Items by ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Launch Command Line
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Launch Query Param
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Display Type
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Entry Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Sort Method
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Chat Entry
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Data by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Game Server
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Members
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Member by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Member Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Member Limit
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Most Achieved Achievement Info
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet My Steam Avatar
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet My Steam ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet My Steam Level
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Num Items with Price
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Persona Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Persona State
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Player Nickname
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Public IP
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Item Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Status
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Timestamp
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Steam ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Float Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Int Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Restrictions
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Rich Presence Key by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Steam Avatar
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Voice
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Voice Optimal Sample Rate
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGrant Promo Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตHas Friend
          • ๐Ÿ”ตId is Me
          • ๐Ÿ”ตId is Valid
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIndicate Achievement Progress
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInstall DLC
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInvite User To Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInvite User to Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInitialize
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs App Installed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Behind NAT
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Cybercafe
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs DLC Installed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Lobby Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Low Violence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Phone Identifying
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Phone Requiring Verification
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Phone Verified
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Steam Initialized
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed App
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed from Family Sharing
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed from Free Weekend
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Timed Trial
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Two Factor Enabled
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs VAC Banned
          • ๐Ÿ”ตJoin Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLeave Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLoad Item Definitions
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLogged On
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLog Off
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLog On
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLog On Anonymous
          • ๐Ÿ”ตMark Content Corrupt
          • ๐Ÿ”ตQuick Match
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRemove Favorite Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRemove History Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRemove Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตReply to Friend Message
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Current Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Eligible Promo Item Definitions IDs
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Friend Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Lobby List
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Prices
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Store Auth URL
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest User Group Status
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest User Information
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest User Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตReset All Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRun Callbacks
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSecure
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSend Lobby Chat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSerialize Result
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Advertise Server Active
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Bot Player Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Dedicated Server
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Description
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Game Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Game Tags
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet In-Game Voice Speaking
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Key Value
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Map Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Listen for Friends Messages
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Game Server
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Joinable
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Member Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Member Limit
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Type
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Max Player Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Mod Directory Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Password Protected
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Persona Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Played with User
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Product
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Region
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Spectator Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Spectator Port
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet User Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet User Float Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet User Int Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตShutdown
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStart Purchase
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStart Update Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStart Voice Recording
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSteam ID Tools
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStop Voice Recording
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStore Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStore User Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSubmit Update Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตTransfer Item Quantity
          • ๐Ÿ”ตTrigger Item Drop
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUninstall DLC
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUpdate Avg Rate Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUpdate User Avg Rate Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUpload Leaderboard Score
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUser Has License for App
          • ๐Ÿ”ตWas Restart Requested
        • Events
          • ๐Ÿ”ปDlc Installed
          • ๐Ÿ”ปFriend Chat Msg
          • ๐Ÿ”ปFriend Rich Presence Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปGame Overlay Activated
          • ๐Ÿ”ปInventory Item Definition Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปInventory Results Ready
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Chat Msg
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Chat Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Data Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Game Created
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Join Requested
          • ๐Ÿ”ปMicro Txn Authorization Response
          • ๐Ÿ”ปPersona State Change
          • ๐Ÿ”ปRich Presence Join Requested
          • ๐Ÿ”ปServers Connected
          • ๐Ÿ”ปServer Connect Failure
          • ๐Ÿ”ปServer Disconnected
          • ๐Ÿ”ปTicket for Web API Response
        • Types
          • ๐ŸŸฉAchievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉAuth Ticket Data
          • ๐ŸŸฉChat Entry
          • ๐ŸŸฉDecompress Voice Result
          • ๐ŸŸฉFloat Stat
          • ๐ŸŸฉGame Server Item Wrapper
          • ๐ŸŸฉGame Server Player Details Wrapper
          • ๐ŸŸฉGlobal Achievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Count
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Detail
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Detail With Properties
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Price
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem With Price
          • ๐ŸŸฉInt Stat
          • ๐ŸŸฉKey Value Pair
          • ๐ŸŸฉLeaderboard Entry
          • ๐ŸŸฉLobby Data
          • ๐ŸŸฉLobby Game Server
          • ๐ŸŸฉServer Achievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉServer Stat Float Value
          • ๐ŸŸฉServer Stat Int Value
          • ๐ŸŸฉUser Achievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉVoice Result
          • ๐ŸŸฉVoice Available Result
        • Enumerators
          • ๐ŸŸจUEBeginAuthSessionResult
          • ๐ŸŸจUEChatRoomEnterResponse
          • ๐ŸŸจUEFriendFlags
          • ๐ŸŸจUEChatEntryType
          • ๐ŸŸจUEChatMemberStateChange
          • ๐ŸŸจUELeaderboardDataRequest
          • ๐ŸŸจUELeaderboardDisplayType
          • ๐ŸŸจUELeaderboardSortMethod
          • ๐ŸŸจUELobbyComparison
          • ๐ŸŸจUELobbyDistanceFilter
          • ๐ŸŸจUELobbyType
          • ๐ŸŸจUEResult
          • ๐ŸŸจUESteamCurrencyCode
          • ๐ŸŸจUEServerMode
          • ๐ŸŸจUEUserHasLicenseForAppResult
          • ๐ŸŸจUEVoiceResult
      • C++
  • Toolkit for Physics
    • Unity
      • Installation
      • Core Features
        • Ballistics Tools
        • Buoyancy Tools
        • Force Effect Framework
        • Physics Data extended
        • Verlet Integration
      • Sample Scenes
        • Fantasy Style Ballistic Simulation
        • (3D) Deterministic Bounce Prediction
        • (2D) Deterministic Bounce Prediction
        • 1 Buoyancy Example
        • 1 Force Effect Fields
        • 2 Spherical Gravity
        • 3 Multi-body Gravity
        • 1 Verlet Spring Simple Transforms
        • 2 Verlet Spring Skinned Mesh
      • API
        • Ballistics
        • Buoyancy
        • Force Effects
        • Maths
        • Mesh Tools
      • Components
        • Ballistic Aim
        • Ballistic Path Line Render
        • Ballistic Path Follow
        • Buoyant Body
        • Buoyant Body Drag
        • Constant Acceleration
        • Constant Angular Velocity
        • Constant Linear Velocity
        • Force Effect Source
          • Force Effect Direction
          • Force Effect Field
        • Force Effect Reciever
        • Physics Data
        • Surface Tool
        • Trick Shot
        • Trick Shot Line
        • Verlet Spring
      • Objects
        • Force Effect
          • Attract Effect
          • Gravity Effect
          • Repulse Effect
          • Suspend Effect
          • Tractor Effect
          • Wind Effect
        • Point Volume
        • Verlet Hierarchy
        • Verlet Hierarchy Settings
        • Verlet Particle
      • Enums
        • Calculation Mode
  • Toolkit for UI & UX
    • Introduction
    • Unity
      • Installation
      • Learning
        • Sample Scenes
          • Command Parser Example
          • Cursor System Scene
          • Drag and Drop (Behaviours)
          • Drag and Drop (Inventory Example)
          • Drag and Drop (Spell Bar Example)
          • Log Sample Scene
          • Screenshot Sample Scene
        • Core Concepts
          • Command System
          • Cursor System
          • Drag and Drop System
          • Interaction Tools
          • Logging & Feedback
          • Scene Tools
          • Selection System
          • Tooltip System
          • Window System
        • uGUI Extras
          • Key Collection
          • Ligature Tools
          • Tree View Collection
      • API
        • Cursors
        • Json
        • Log
        • Scenes
        • Screenshot
        • Selection
        • Trello
        • Windows
      • Components
        • Action Hold
        • Border Handle
        • Button Cursor State
        • Change Cursor Default State
        • Command Director
        • Cursor Animator
        • Drag Item
        • Drop Container
        • Key Hold
        • Mouse Over Cursor State
        • Move Handle
        • Play On Click
        • Play On Demand
        • Play On Down
        • Play On Enter
        • Play On Exit
        • Play On Up
        • Pointer Hold
        • Scenes Manager
        • Selectable Object
        • Selection Manager
        • Tooltip Trigger
        • Tooltip Window Controller
        • Window
        • Window Clamping Bounds
        • Window Focus Change Event Data
      • Objects
        • Command Data
        • Command Library
        • Cursor Animation
        • Cursor State
        • DragAndDropItemChangeData
        • LogData
      • Enums
        • Clear Drop Behaviour
        • Drag Effect
        • Drag End Behaviours
        • Grab Handle
        • Mask Mode
        • Recieve Mode
        • Window Snap To Location
  • More Heathen Tools
    • ๐ŸŽจArt Assets
      • Breakable
        • Wood Props
          • Installation
    • โš™๏ธSystem Core
      • Installation
      • Learning
        • Asset Developers
      • Command Line
      • Game Events
      • Scriptable Tags
      • Scriptable Variables
      • Heathen Behaviour
      • Heathen UI Behaviour
    • ๐Ÿ“‹Tips for Asset Developers
      • Editor Coroutines
      • Package Manger in C#
      • Session State Values
  • Codex
    • Introduction
      • Article Design Guide
        • Evolution
          • Early Period
          • Middle Period
          • Late Period
      • Codex Organization
    • Irish
      • Folklore
        • Introduction
        • Characters
          • Dรฉithe
            • Cacht
            • Lugh
            • Dag Dia
              • Donn
              • Nuada
              • Ogma
            • Mother?
              • Banba
                • Appearance
                • Name
              • ร‰rui
                • Appearance
                • Name
              • Fรณdla
                • Appearance
                • Name
            • Father ?
              • ร‰thur Mac Cuill
              • Cรฉthur Mac Grรฉine
              • Tรฉthur Mac Cecht
        • Concepts
          • Binding Tablet
          • Druids
          • Sociaty
          • Patron Gods
          • Bile
          • Time
        • Food
          • Elderberry Capers
          • Elderberry Wine
          • Mead
        • Peoples
          • Fomรณire
          • Research Note
            • Hunter Gathers
            • Neolithic Farmers
            • Bronze Age
        • Locations
          • Lughmhagh
          • Temair
            • Name
      • Research
        • Historical Backdrop
        • Disambiguation
          • Banshee
          • Celt
          • Gods and Goddesses
          • Lebor Gabรกla ร‰renn
          • Milesians
          • Mother Goddess
          • Sovereignty Goddess
          • The Morrรญgan
          • Triple Persona
          • Tuatha Dรฉ
          • Wicker Man Sacrafice
        • Links
          • Social Factors
          • Lugh
            • Name
          • Ogma
          • Astronomy
          • Time
        • Sources
        • WIP
          • Artefacts
          • Beings
            • Cannon
              • Belgae
              • Fomorians
              • Sรญog
              • Tuatha Dรฉ Danann
            • Derivative
              • Milesians
              • Muintir Nemid
          • Characters
            • Cannon
            • Derivative
          • Concepts
          • Events
          • Languages
          • Music
          • Places
          • Sources
          • Stories
          • Styles
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Introduction
  • Considerations
  • Platform
  • Built Target
  • Unit Testing
  • Solution: Parallel Development
  • Solution: Build Service
  • Unit Testing
  • Solution: Multi-Project
  1. General
  2. Development

Multi Platform Projects

Parallel development vs single code base

PreviousLambda ExpressionsNextNamespace and Using

Last updated 2 years ago

Like what your seeing?

Consider supporting us as a and get instant access to all our Unity assets, exclusive tools and assets, escalated support and issue tracking and our gratitude. These articles are made possible by our ... become a sponsor today!

Introduction

This article will go over the considerations, problems and available solutions when building for multi-platform.

No it is not possible to truly have 1 code base for all platforms. While many would like to say it is, what they are really referring to is conditional compilation where in compiler adds or removes code from the build based on script defines / build target. We will have more on soon. This however means that in Unity Editor the code is very different from what will be compiled causing many issues in development and testing.

Considerations

Platform

Platforms would be things like Steam, Epic Store, Game Pass, etc. but also XBox, PlayStation, Switch, and so on. Your platform is not the same as your build target. Many "platforms" exist on a single build target in the case of PC/Mac and Linux. Platforms however do have specific requirements in order to deploy on them, usually in the form of some API or service that your game must integrate with. This in and of its self means that a "multi-platform" game *must* have unique code bases for each platform.

You may think "Ah sure I can have a define for each platform" ... but this would cause issues for you. If you use defines for conditional compilation in editor then in editor objects will come and go. Take for example Steam, you can "disable" Steam API compilation via the DISABLESTEAMWORKS define. If you do that in editor however it will mean that all of the Steam objects go away and the next time Unity saves it will save without them meaning all the data they held such as configuration, settings, etc. will be gone.

Built Target

Most "platforms" also have a single dedicated build target e.g. XBox, PlayStation, Android, etc. so for these cases changing the build target also conditionally removes related code. Lets look at Steam as an example again.

Because Steamworks.NET simply will not compile or be available at all in editor or otherwise for any built target other than the three listed

  • Mac (client or server)

  • Linux (client or server)

  • Windows 32 or 64 bit (client or server)

Then switching your project to any built target other than those will result in compiler errors.

... however you should never do this in the Editor.

Because if you do this in Editor Unity will not compile any of the Steam related scripts thus any use of those scripts in a scene or GameObject will be removed the next time Unity saves thus breaking all references to all Steam related scripts and objects.

That is if you for example set your editor to Android then Unity will see that those scripts no longer exist, it will then remove them from the GameObject on the next save which happens on each platform change.

Unit Testing

This is what we usually call that testing that a programmer does as they are writing code. Its not a "real" test in that its not a full functional test it does though help the programmer confirm their logic and is an important part of programming.

Doing this in a multi-platform project is tricky ...

Solution: Parallel Development

This is an ideal solution but only works if you have strong software engineering rigor and solid ALM and DevOps tooling. Beyond that this method really only offers a net gain in cost when you have a large enough engineering team to really exploit its benefits.

This is a Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) concept specifically a Development Operations (DevOps) concept. This is a more advanced topic that requires a degree of software engineering rigor not common in most game development teams indie or otherwise. What we mean by "Parallel Development" is that we have multiple parallel branches or "versions" of some code base being developed in parallel that is at the same time.

This works well for multi-platform in that each platform can be a branch of a common code base. This in turn means that common changes performed in the parent branch can be integrated easily into the platform branches. Depending on your DevOps tooling you may also be able to reverse integrate common changes from platform branches up to your common code base for later integration into all platforms.

Solution: Build Service

This is the simplest option and works well for simple projects ... that is projects that have very little platform specific code or configuration. This is really only of value in projects that are small or have a common platform as well since you cannot perform unit testing in editor for each platform.

For this you will need to keep your Editor always set to your more common build target typically for mid to high end game projects including mobile builds that will be:

  • Mac (client or server)

  • Linux (client or server)

  • Windows 32 or 64 (client or server)

For projects that have a browser build use

  • Web GL

This is to insure that the Unity Editor does not strip out any of the code that you need to work with and does not break references to any of the objects you need to work with.

In order to test other platforms you will need to use a build service to build your game for each specific platform where that "build target" will be configured to enable and disable various blocks of code at compile time via the use of Script Defines or similar.

Unit Testing

Unit testing ... that is the testing done by your programmers in editor; is a bit more of a challenge when your depending on your build service to handle multi-platform builds. This is because your "editor" version of the code base is the most inclusive code base and thus very different from any given build which will be stripped down to have less than the editor.

How exactly you get around this limitation will depend more on your team and your project more so than any given "best practice". Follows are some options you might consider.

Sandbox

You or rather your programmers will probably have this anyway ... some times called a "test rig" or similar. This is just a set of scripts and scenes where programmers can try things out. Thus they can simply write a test method to run their logic regardless of platforms or build targets

[ContextMenu("Run Foo 1 test")]
public void Foo(int data)
{
    //This is my non-since test method logic here will just run when I call it
}

The issue with this is that its truly in isolation, that is these tests cant really account for how this logic works in System testing and is only useful for Unit testing.

Conditional Code

Programmers love to write code for them and often forget to remove it from scripts before it goes off to compile. So it can be handy establish a practice of "editor code"

#if UNITY_EDITOR
// This code only happens when running in editor
#endif

You can carry this on to be more complex for example

#if UNITY_EDITOR
#define SteamPlatform
//#define EpicPlatform
//#define GamePassPlatform
#endif

This only runs in editor and lets the programmer set defines that are only useful for them ... for example

#if !DISABLESTEAMWORKS || SteamPlatform
//This code compiles on builds that are Steam platforms and in editor if 
//the programmer uncomments the #define SteamPlatform
#endif

If your dealing with few platforms you can do this even simpler

#if !DISABLESTEAMWORKS || UNITY_EDITOR
//This will always compile in editor but in a build only for Steam
//If you want to disable this just comment out the || UNITY_EDITOR such as
// #if !DISABLESTEAMWORKS //|| UNITY_EDITOR
#endif

Solution: Multi-Project

This model is the most error prone and work intensive option but doesn't require any special tooling or engineering practice rigor.

This is similar to "Parallel Development" in that you end up with multiple code bases. The key difference here is that you have no tool or system that helps you integrate changes between platform versions and you probably do not have a "common" code base anywhere.

This is simply having 1 Unity project for each platform target such as

  • Steam

  • Itch

  • Mobile

  • Console

  • etc.

This does mean that making changes to "common" code requires you to make those changes to all your projects. You can simplify this slightly by using Unity's Export asset feature. That is if you organize your project assets and code correctly you could write it one and simply export it for reimport into each of your remaining platforms. In this way you get a sort of "pore mans" parallel development model that doesn't require any special tooling and minimal rigor.

In a project with multiple build targets the programmer will most likely want to switch the editor to the build target for testing. This will cause issues as noted in the section.

In a multi-platform project on a single build target such as Steam vs Epic vs Itch, etc. the programmer will want to test with platform specific bits in and again out for each supported platform. Again in editor this will cause the issues noted in the section.

๐Ÿ—๏ธ
๐Ÿคนโ€โ™€๏ธ
GitHub Sponsor
GitHub Sponsors
conditional compilation
Build Target
Platform