Egg Snatchers - Fun Local Multiplayer Game in Unity Netcode
Egg Snatchers - Fun Local Multiplayer Game in Unity Netcode
Learn how to Create Fun Local Multiplayer Games to play with Family & Friends using Unity Netcode
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In the world of video games, local multiplayer experiences have always held a special place. From the frantic sessions of Mario Kart to the adrenaline-filled battles in Super Smash Bros., local multiplayer games allow players to engage with friends and family in the same room, sharing the thrill and laughter that comes with competitive and cooperative gameplay. One genre that has gained popularity is the casual party game, designed to be easy to pick up but difficult to master. In this article, we’ll dive into how to create a fun local multiplayer game called Egg Snatchers using Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects.
Overview of Egg Snatchers
Egg Snatchers is a fast-paced, family-friendly party game where players take on the role of mischievous critters trying to steal as many eggs as possible from a central nest and return them to their home base. The objective is simple: collect the most eggs before the timer runs out! Players must navigate obstacles, avoid traps, and outwit each other to snatch eggs from both the central nest and from their opponents. The game can support up to four players, with each player controlling a different critter on a shared screen.
The design of Egg Snatchers is straightforward, but it offers layers of depth through its mechanics. The fun comes not only from competing for eggs but also from interacting with the game's physics, using power-ups, and outmaneuvering opponents.
Why Use Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects?
Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects (Netcode for short) is a networking solution that is part of Unity's GameObjects framework. It provides a foundation for creating multiplayer games with networking features, whether local or online. Although Egg Snatchers is primarily a local multiplayer game, Netcode offers a flexible structure for managing player input, synchronizing game objects, and ensuring smooth gameplay.
Some of the key reasons for using Netcode include:
- Player Synchronization: Ensuring that each player sees the same game state in real time.
- Authority Management: Netcode helps manage which player or machine has authority over specific objects or game elements, like the eggs.
- Scalability: Although Egg Snatchers is designed for local multiplayer, you could easily extend it to online multiplayer using Netcode.
- Setting Up the Project in Unity
- Creating the Basic Game Scene
Start by setting up the basic environment where the game will take place. This includes creating the central nest from which players will steal eggs, designing the home bases for each player, and placing various obstacles throughout the scene. In Unity, this can be done using simple 3D objects like cubes and spheres, but you can add more detail and personality by importing custom 3D models or sprites if you're working in 2D.
- Nest: The central point where the eggs are spawned.
- Home Bases: Four corners of the map where players deposit their eggs.
- Obstacles: Add things like walls, pits, or moving objects to make navigation more challenging.
- Adding Player Controllers
In local multiplayer games, each player needs a separate controller. Unity's Input System makes it easy to assign controls for multiple players on the same device. For Egg Snatchers, you’ll need to create different input mappings for each player. A typical configuration could involve using the keyboard for one player, a gamepad for another, and other gamepads or keys for additional players.
Each player will control their character, which can be a 3D or 2D model. For now, a simple placeholder character like a sphere or cube will work, but you can later replace this with custom characters like birds, dinosaurs, or other egg-loving creatures.
Implementing Netcode for GameObjects
Now, integrate Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects to manage the multiplayer functionality. The key feature here is ensuring that each player’s actions (like moving their character or snatching eggs) are synchronized across all screens.
Network Manager: This component will handle the overall networking setup. In a local multiplayer setup, it helps synchronize inputs from multiple devices and players. Add this component to a GameObject in your scene.
Player Prefab: For each player, create a prefab that is registered with the Network Manager. This prefab will represent each player’s character in the game.
NetworkObject: Ensure that each player's character is a NetworkObject, which allows Netcode to track its position, rotation, and actions across all connected players.
Gameplay Mechanics: Snatching Eggs
The core mechanic of Egg Snatchers is, of course, snatching eggs! Eggs are spawned at the central nest at the start of the game and can also respawn at random intervals during the match.
Egg Spawning: You can create a simple egg prefab with a collider and rigidbody for physics interactions. Eggs should spawn at the nest and be scattered around the area. Unity's physics system will allow players to bump into eggs, and once they’re in range, players can press a button to pick up an egg.
Carrying Eggs: When a player picks up an egg, it becomes attached to their character. In Netcode, you'll want to transfer authority over the egg to the player who picked it up, ensuring that it moves with them in sync across all screens.
Depositing Eggs: Each player has a home base where they can return the eggs they’ve collected. When a player reaches their base, the egg is deposited, the player's score increases, and the egg disappears or is respawned at the nest.
Power-Ups and Hazards
To add more excitement, you can introduce power-ups and hazards into the game. Power-ups might give players a temporary speed boost, protect them from traps, or allow them to steal eggs from other players. Hazards, on the other hand, slow players down or temporarily disable their ability to carry eggs.
Power-Ups: Create various power-ups that spawn randomly across the map. These can be as simple as floating icons that players can collect. When collected, the power-up applies its effect, like increasing the player’s speed or making them invulnerable for a short time.
Traps and Obstacles: Add pitfalls, moving platforms, or even roaming enemies to make it more challenging to collect and deliver eggs. Players must be cautious not only of their opponents but also of these environmental hazards.
Game UI and Scoring
No party game is complete without a clear scoring system and a user interface (UI) to display each player's progress. Implement a simple UI that shows how many eggs each player has collected and the time remaining in the match.
Score Display: For each player, display their egg count somewhere on the screen. Use Unity's UI system to create a simple text overlay that updates in real time.
Timer: The game should last for a set amount of time (e.g., 3-5 minutes). When the timer reaches zero, the player with the most eggs is declared the winner.
Local Multiplayer Experience
One of the highlights of Egg Snatchers is the fun, chaotic nature of local multiplayer. By using Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects, you can ensure that each player's actions are smoothly synchronized, even when they’re all playing on the same device. The physics-based gameplay of snatching and carrying eggs, combined with power-ups and hazards, creates plenty of opportunities for both competitive and cooperative play.
Expanding the Game
Once you have the core gameplay loop of Egg Snatchers working, there are numerous ways to expand and refine the experience:
Character Customization: Allow players to choose different characters, each with unique abilities or attributes (e.g., faster movement, larger carrying capacity).
New Levels: Design additional maps with unique layouts and challenges to keep the game fresh and exciting.
Online Multiplayer: Since you're already using Netcode for GameObjects, adding online multiplayer functionality would be a natural next step.
Conclusion
Egg Snatchers is a fun, engaging local multiplayer game that highlights the potential of Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects. By combining simple mechanics with the excitement of multiplayer interaction, you can create a game that’s easy to pick up but offers endless replayability. Whether you’re stealing eggs, dodging traps, or using power-ups to outsmart your opponents, Egg Snatchers delivers a fast-paced, competitive experience that players will love.
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