Beginner Question - PlayerController

[anonymous_user_cfd9064d]

@Bleakwise;65722

In GameMode.h you’ll find the PlayerController object used by the game.

The value of PlayerControllerClass is set in AGameMode’s constructor.

To use/define your own PlayerController, what you’ll want to do, is subclass APlayerController, and subclass AGameMode, and in YourDerivedGameMode’s constructor…

Build your project and launch the Editor. In the “project properties” set your level’s default game mode to YourDerivedGameMode. That’s it, now the game will use your derived player controller instead of the default one. The technique used is called Polymorphism, a common thread in UE4 development.

To handle menus and what not with the PlayerController as you want, you would use a different level for your menu screen, which could have a different GameMode with a different PlayerContorller with the functionality you were wanting. Once the gameplay level loaded and gameplay started, the GameMode and thus the PlayerController would also change accordingly.

This was very helpful thank you! I think that I understand how to set up a custom player controller in code now. The main area of confusion that I am having with the player controller is what it is actually used for. Or more specifically, what my custom PlayerController’s purpose is in the whole scope of the game (or just any given game project in general). What would one example of it’s usage be? It seems like all the features that I am implementing I can just do with my inherited Character class, and I am afraid that I am missing an important concept of how the engine works, and how it was intended to be used.

Thanks again for your reply, it was very helpful.