Time Scaling Issues in Unity

It sounds like you’re running into some common issues with time scaling in Unity, especially when it comes to physics. When you change Time.timeScale, it doesn’t automatically adjust everything related to physics, which can lead to the laggy behavior you’re experiencing. The key things to consider here are Time.fixedDeltaTime and how physics updates are managed.

First off, your line:

Time.fixedDeltaTime = Time.unscaledDeltaTime * Time.timeScale / startTimeScale;

This line can cause issues if Time.timeScale goes below 1.0 because unscaledDeltaTime does not account for the change in time flow, leading to inconsistent physics calculations. Instead, try this approach:

Time.fixedDeltaTime = 0.02f * Time.timeScale; // 0.02f is the default fixedDeltaTime

This keeps things simpler. It sets your fixed delta time in proportion to the normal time scale, which should help with how physics behave when time scales change.

Also, if you’re interpolating time with an animation curve, make sure that your transitions are smooth and that you’re updating the physics calculations accordingly. You might want to consider adjusting your time scale gradually rather than instantly to help maintain a more stable experience.

You might also want to implement a system where you can visually debug how the time scale is affecting your game objects. This can help you to visualize any potential issues that arise during gameplay.

Remember, debugging time scaling issues can be tricky, so take your time testing different approaches, and tweak your settings until you find something that feels good in both the editor and standalone builds.

Implementing a Linked List for Multiple Bullets in SDL2

If you want to allow multiple bullets to be fired at once in your game, using a linked list is a great way to manage the bullets. Here’s a simple way to set it up.

Step 1: Define the Bullet Structure

Your bullet could be defined in a way that includes the necessary properties:

typedef struct Bullet {
    int x, y; // Position of the bullet
    int width, height; // Dimensions
    struct Bullet* next; // Pointer to the next bullet
} Bullet;
    

Step 2: Create Functions for Linked List Operations

You’ll need a few functions to manage your linked list:

Function to Create a Bullet

Bullet* createBullet(int x, int y) {
    Bullet* newBullet = malloc(sizeof(Bullet));
    if (!newBullet) return NULL; // Check for memory allocation
    newBullet->x = x;
    newBullet->y = y;
    newBullet->width = 50; // Example values
    newBullet->height = 50; // Example values
    newBullet->next = NULL;
    return newBullet;
}
    

Function to Add a Bullet to the List

void addBullet(Bullet** head, int x, int y) {
    Bullet* newBullet = createBullet(x, y);
    newBullet->next = *head; // Add to the front of the list
    *head = newBullet;
}
    

Step 3: Update Bullets in the Game Loop

As you process the game loop, you can update and render the bullets:

void updateBullets(Bullet* head) {
    Bullet* current = head;
    while (current != NULL) {
        current->y -= 5; // Move bullet up (example)
        // Here you'd use SDL to render the bullet
        current = current->next;
    }
}
    

Step 4: Handle Spacebar Press

To fire a bullet, check for the spacebar press and add a bullet to the list:

if (spacebarPressed) { // Replace with your actual input check
    addBullet(&bulletList, playerX, playerY); // Use player's position
}
    

Step 5: Clean Up

Lastly, don’t forget to free the memory for each bullet when they’re no longer needed:

void freeBullets(Bullet* head) {
    Bullet* temp;
    while (head != NULL) {
        temp = head;
        head = head->next;
        free(temp);
    }
}
    

This should give you a good foundation for managing multiple bullets in your game. Just remember to call your update and render functions in your main game loop, and keep your linked list tidy by freeing up memory when you’re done with your bullets!

It sounds like you’re really in the weeds with this project! Dealing with game data can be a real headache, especially when performance and complexity are on the line. Here are a few thoughts that might help you think through this.

1. Regarding whether JSON can replace an RDB: If the complexity of your item properties is really high and the structure is constantly evolving, then JSON could definitely make sense as a more flexible option. It would let you define item properties without the rigid structure of a relational database. However, keep in mind that you might lose some benefits, like data integrity and easier querying, that an RDB provides. If you’re worried about performance, maybe cache the API results and refresh them periodically instead of hitting it every time.

2. For alternatives to an RDB, you might want to consider NoSQL databases like MongoDB or even just using simple JSON files. These solutions can handle semi-structured data really well, and you won’t have to deal with the complexity of RDB schema management. However, keep in mind that if you go the file route, you’ll need to implement loading and parsing logic on your end.

Since you mentioned using the fly-weight pattern—this might actually work well with both JSON and NoSQL, allowing you to save memory by sharing common object instances. Just make sure to weigh the trade-offs between the flexibility of JSON and the structure of an RDB.

At the end of the day, it depends on your specific needs and what feels right for your project. Trust your instincts and remember to iterate on your approach. Good luck!