Chapter 2. Enhancing Player Abilities

In this chapter, we will expand upon the core shooting interaction that we created in the previous chapter by making modifications to the player character Blueprint. The player character Blueprint that comes with the First Person Shooter template initially looks complex, especially when compared to the relatively simple cylinder target Blueprint that we have already created from scratch. We will be looking into this Blueprint and breaking it down to see how each of its sections contributes to the player's experience and allows them to control their character and shoot a gun.

It would be quick and easy to just use an existing asset that works, without spending time understanding how it is accomplishing its functionality. However, we want to ensure that we can repair problems as they arise, and extend the functionality of the player controls to fit our needs better. For this reason, it is always advisable to take some time to investigate and understand any external asset you might bring into a project that you are building.

By the end of this chapter, we want to succeed in modifying the player controller, so that we can add the ability to sprint and destroy the objects we shoot with enjoyable explosions and sound effects. Along the way to achieving these goals, we will be covering the following topics:

• Player inputs and controls
• Field of view
• Timelines and branching logic
• Adding sounds and particle effects to an object interaction