TODO: Create a plugin for Unreal Engine 5 to replace or integrate with the character movement component

[tristanpoland]

Create Unreal Engine 5 Plugin for Horizon-Optimized Character Movement

Objective

Develop a custom Unreal Engine 5 plugin to replace the default character movement component with a new, improved version built specifically for the Horizon server architecture.

Background

The current character movement component in UE5 may not be optimized for Horizon's distributed server architecture. A custom-built component could improve performance, scalability, and consistency across Horizon's network of servers.

Tasks

1. [ ] Research UE5 plugin development and character movement systems
2. [ ] Design the architecture for the new movement component
3. [ ] Implement basic movement functionality (walking, running, jumping)
4. [ ] Add advanced movement features (crouching, sliding, etc.)
5. [ ] Implement network synchronization optimized for Horizon's architecture
6. [ ] Develop smooth transition handling between Horizon server instances
7. [ ] Create a configuration system of exposed variables for easy tweaking of movement parameters
8. [ ] Implement a fallback system to default UE5 movement component if needed
9. [ ] Write comprehensive documentation for the plugin
10. [ ] Create the template project demonstrating the plugin's usage
11. [ ] Perform thorough testing, including stress tests with many simultaneous players
12. [ ] Optimize performance and reduce network bandwidth usage

Acceptance Criteria

• The plugin successfully replaces UE5's default character movement component
• Movement is smooth and responsive in both single-player and multiplayer scenarios
• The new component demonstrates improved performance and reduced network usage compared to the default
• Seamless transitions between Horizon server instances during movement
• Comprehensive documentation and example projects are provided

Additional Considerations

• Ensure compatibility with existing UE5 projects (If possible)
• Plan for and possibly execute a backport for prior engine versions

[tristanpoland]

This should also address animations while we are at it: https://github.com/Far-Beyond-Dev/Horizon-Community-Edition/issues/156