Add Sprites

[HyperCrowd]

• [ ] Design and create sprite sheets for all characters and key game elements (e.g., abilities, items).
• [ ] Ensure sprite sheets are optimized for performance (correct sizes, formats).
• [ ] Choose and integrate an animation framework (e.g., Unity Animator, Spine, custom implementation).
• [ ] Set up the basic configuration for handling sprite animations.
• [ ] Define animation states for characters (e.g., idle, walking, attacking, dying).
• [ ] Implement state transitions based on game events (e.g., transitioning from idle to walking).
• [ ] Create triggers for specific actions (e.g., ability usage, hits).
• [ ] Set up parameters to control speed and blend between animations.
• [ ] Implement an event system to trigger animations based on gameplay events (e.g., collision detection, ability activation).
• [ ] Ensure animations sync correctly with game mechanics (e.g., damage dealt during an attack animation).
• [ ] Develop a system for character customization that allows different sprites to be used (e.g., skins).
• [ ] Ensure that customized characters use the same animation framework.
• [ ] Optimize sprite rendering to minimize CPU and GPU usage.
• [ ] Implement sprite batching where applicable to reduce draw calls.

Dependencies

• https://github.com/HyperCrowd/moba/issues/19
• https://github.com/HyperCrowd/moba/issues/22

[HyperCrowd]

Creating a sprite management and implementation system in Phaser 3 involves organizing sprite sheets, managing animations, and ensuring performance efficiency. Below is a structured approach to help you implement this system according to your specified requirements.

1. Design and Create Sprite Sheets

Start by designing and creating optimized sprite sheets for your characters and game elements. Use tools like TexturePacker or Shoebox to create sprite sheets that group related images together for efficiency.

2. Optimize Sprite Sheets

Ensure your sprite sheets are optimized:

Correct Sizes: Use powers of two for dimensions (e.g., 256x256, 512x512). Formats: Prefer PNG for transparency; consider WebP for web deployment to reduce file size.

3. Integrate Animation Framework

In Phaser, you can create animations using the built-in animation manager. While Phaser doesn’t have an integrated framework like Unity Animator, you can implement similar functionality.

4. Set Up Basic Configuration for Handling Sprite Animations

Preload your sprite sheets and create animations in the game’s preload method.

function preload() {
    // Load your sprite sheet
    this.load.spritesheet('player', 'assets/sprites/player.png', { frameWidth: 32, frameHeight: 32 });
}

function create() {
    // Create animations
    this.anims.create({
        key: 'idle',
        frames: [{ key: 'player', frame: 0 }],
        frameRate: 10,
        repeat: -1,
    });

    this.anims.create({
        key: 'walk',
        frames: this.anims.generateFrameNumbers('player', { start: 1, end: 4 }),
        frameRate: 10,
        repeat: -1,
    });

    this.anims.create({
        key: 'attack',
        frames: this.anims.generateFrameNumbers('player', { start: 5, end: 8 }),
        frameRate: 10,
        repeat: 0,
    });
}

5. Define Animation States

Define different states for your characters, such as idle, walking, attacking, and dying.

6. Implement State Transitions

Set up event listeners to handle state transitions based on gameplay events.

class Player {
    constructor(scene) {
        this.scene = scene;
        this.sprite = scene.physics.add.sprite(100, 100, 'player');
        this.sprite.anims.play('idle');
    }

    update() {
        if (this.isWalking()) {
            this.sprite.anims.play('walk', true);
        } else if (this.isAttacking()) {
            this.sprite.anims.play('attack', true);
        } else {
            this.sprite.anims.play('idle', true);
        }
    }

    isWalking() {
        // Implement logic to determine if the player is walking
    }

    isAttacking() {
        // Implement logic to determine if the player is attacking
    }
}

7. Create Triggers for Specific Actions

Use keyboard inputs or collision events to trigger specific actions and corresponding animations.

this.input.keyboard.on('keydown-A', () => {
    player.attack();
});

8. Control Speed and Blend Between Animations

You can adjust the frame rate of animations to control the speed at which they play.

this.anims.create({
    key: 'fast-walk',
    frames: this.anims.generateFrameNumbers('player', { start: 1, end: 4 }),
    frameRate: 15,
    repeat: -1,
});

9. Implement an Event System for Triggering Animations

Use Phaser’s built-in event system to trigger animations based on gameplay events.

this.physics.add.collider(player.sprite, enemy.sprite, () => {
    player.sprite.anims.play('hit');
});

10. Sync Animations with Game Mechanics

Ensure that animations are synchronized with gameplay mechanics, such as dealing damage during attack animations.

player.attack = function() {
    this.sprite.anims.play('attack', true);
    this.sprite.on('animationcomplete', () => {
        // Apply damage logic here
    });
};

11. Character Customization

Allow for character customization by loading different sprites. Ensure all skins use the same animation framework.

function changeCharacterSkin(newSkin) {
    this.sprite.setTexture(newSkin);
}

12. Optimize Sprite Rendering

Optimize sprite rendering to minimize CPU and GPU usage:

• Use texture atlases for batching.
• Limit the number of sprites on screen at one time.

13. Implement Sprite Batching

Phaser automatically batches sprites to reduce draw calls. To further optimize, you can use Group objects for managing sprites that share similar properties.

const enemyGroup = this.physics.add.group({
    key: 'enemy',
    repeat: 5,
    setXY: { x: 12, y: 0, stepX: 70 }
});

14. Performance Testing

Conduct performance tests to ensure your sprite management system runs smoothly. Monitor the frame rate and identify bottlenecks during gameplay.

Summary

By following this structured approach, you can implement a robust sprite management system in your Phaser 3 game that meets the specified requirements. Adapt and expand upon this framework to suit your game's unique needs, and feel free to ask if you need additional guidance!