"Party Visibility"

Author: Alexander Gurwell

Posted on: [5/31/2024]

Blog Entry Part 1: The Problem

This week, I encountered a significant challenge while working on the multiplayer subsystem and trying to get the party widget to replicate correctly. The primary issue was that the party widget, which displays the names of party members, was not updating properly across all clients in a multiplayer session.

The problem was particularly frustrating because it prevented players from seeing the names of their party members, leading to confusion and difficulty in identifying teammates during gameplay. This lack of synchronization could disrupt the multiplayer experience, making it hard for players to coordinate and interact effectively. Addressing this problem was crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable multiplayer experience.

Blog Entry Part 2: Problem Solution

To address this issue, I first had to identify the root causes. After extensive debugging, I discovered that the problem was related to how the party widget's data was being replicated across the network. Specifically, the widget was not correctly receiving updates from the server, leading to missing or incorrect names being displayed on client screens.

The solution involved several key steps:

1. Replicating Data Structures: I ensured that the data structure containing the party members' names was set up for replication using Unreal Engine's property replication system.
2. Server-to-Client Communication: I implemented a reliable mechanism for the server to push updates to all clients using custom Remote Procedure Call (RPC) functions.
3. Widget Update Logic: I revised the logic within the party widget to handle incoming data updates correctly, ensuring that the names of all party members were displayed accurately.
4. Handling Player Login and Logout: I made sure to update the list of player names whenever a player joined or left the game, ensuring all clients had the correct information.

These changes ensured that the party widget displayed the correct names of all party members across all clients in a multiplayer session. Players reported a significant improvement in their ability to identify and coordinate with their teammates, as they now had reliable information about who was in their party.

By addressing this issue, we were able to enhance the overall multiplayer experience, making it more enjoyable and engaging for our players. The party widget now functions as intended, providing accurate information and improving team communication during gameplay.