How can I briefly immobilize a player?

#1 Do not pass any moves to the player when in a certain condition (bool immobilized). You need to dig into the engine for that, but I am sure there are easier ways in script.

#2 Easiest way is to do:

moveMap.pop();
moveMap.schedule(2000, push);

Presuming that you are using the moveMap for your ActionMap,
this will remove your keybindings and turn them back on in 2 seconds (2000 ms)

#3 Since we are in the 'Getting Started' forum, I suppose I should have mentioned where to put that snippet.

put it in your OnEnterTrigger for your trigger's datablock.

So you may have something like this:

datablock TriggerData(TPTrigger)
{
     tickPeriodMS = 100;// default value
};

function TPTrigger::OnEnterTrigger(%thisDatablock, %thisInstance, %collidedObj)
{
     moveMap.pop();
     moveMap.schedule(2000, push);
}

This is good enough for single player since you are getting started. If you go with multi-player, you would have to get the client of the colliding object and send the client a message so that the right person gets his input suspended. But this is more than you are asking at this moment, so I'll stop there.

#4 @Jeremy - Thanks for the detailed example. That seems to be doing the trick.

Ean

#5 One more quick question about this. I noticed that moveMap.pop is effective immediately only when I stop directional intput to the player. If, for example, I'm running forward when I enter the transporter, and keep my finger on the run forward key even after being transported, I keep running forward until I take my finger off the key. The pop command then becomes effective, freezing up the player for 2 seconds.

Is there a way to make the pop command effective immediately, regardless of whether I'm holding down a movement key?

Thanks!

#6 Ean,

that is something I forgot. While a previously mapped control is in action, it will remain in action until the player does something else (like your running forward issue).

Try putting:

$mvForwardAction=0;

right after you pop the moveMap.

$mvForwardAction is set to the forward speed when you press the controlling key and it is set to 0 when you let it up.

#7 I think you may want to do the same for $mvBackwardAction, $mvLeftAction and $mvRight action as well.

i might have the name wrong on $mvBackwardAction. edit: nope, that's right.

#8 And perhaps $mvTriggerCount0 through $mvTriggerCount2
to stop jumping and shooting as well.

#9 Works perfectly now. Thanks!

#10 That will not work in multiplayer though.

#11 Fair point, but we concluded early on that he would have to send a message to the client of the colliding player to handle a multi-player scenario, and these steps would then be all be wrapped up in that (4th post ^^).

#12 Which is still bad for multiplayer as the client can just chose not to immobilize :) But whatever works for your type of game. I just would not want cheats in mine.

#13 Stefan is pointing out that this method is "trusting" the client to not move. ie, it would be simple to make a client-side hack which simply disabled this feature.

The better, server-side solution would be more complex tho, and i'd put off implementing it until you're actually going multiplayer.

#14 I understand and appreciate this feedback, but I'm taking into consideration that we are in a "Getting Started" forum and that someone asking questions here may not be ready to make engine code changes nor may they even be concerned about hacks.

#15 Yep, I truly am just "getting started." But I appreciate the info and caveats.