UE5-Modular-Game-Framework/docs/blueprints/14-data-assets/118_DA_DataAssetArchitecture.md

DA_DataAssetArchitecture — Data Asset Architecture Overview

Parent Class: UDataAsset Dependencies: All consuming systems Purpose: Overview of all 20 Data Asset types in the framework, naming conventions, and dependency rules.

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Architecture

The Modular Game Framework uses UDataAsset (and subclass UPrimaryDataAsset where persistent identifiers are needed) as the primary authoring format for designer-facing content. Each DA type covers one content domain: weapons, AI profiles, atmosphere presets, narrative data, encounter definitions, etc.

Conventions

• Naming: DA_<Domain><Subtype> — e.g., DA_WeaponData, DA_AIProfile, DA_AtmosphereProfile
• Storage: All DA files live in Content/DataAssets/<Domain>/ in-engine
• Parent Class: Primary Data Asset (Blueprint class). Maps to C++ UPrimaryDataAsset.
• Loading: Use Async Load Primary Asset node with Primary Asset Id and Primary Asset Type
• Validation: Each DA implements a ValidateData() function for editor-time data integrity checks
• Gameplay Tags: All DAs carry a Gameplay Tag Container for query and filtering

Dependency Rules

1. DAs reference other DAs by Primary Asset Id or Soft Object Reference, never by hard pointer
2. No DA may reference a runtime system; only other DAs
3. Circular DA references are prohibited — use World Context Object for runtime resolution
4. All DA types are registered in DefaultGame.ini under [/Script/Engine.AssetManagerSettings]
   • In BP: configure via Project Settings → Asset Manager → Primary Asset Types to Scan

BP Type Reference

C++ Type	Blueprint Variable Type	BP Node
FPrimaryAssetId	Primary Asset Id	Make Primary Asset Id, Break Primary Asset Id
FPrimaryAssetType	Primary Asset Type	Make Primary Asset Type
TSoftObjectPtr<T>	Soft Object Reference	Async Load Primary Asset, Resolve Soft Reference
FGameplayTagContainer	Gameplay Tag Container	Has Tag, Add Tag, Has Any
UPrimaryDataAsset	Primary Data Asset (parent class)	Right-click → Miscellaneous → Data Asset → PrimaryDataAsset

Registered DA Types (Section 13 of Master)

#	DA Type	Domain	Consumed By
1	DA_ItemData	Items	BPC_InventorySystem
2	DA_WeaponData	Weapons	BPC_FirearmSystem, BPC_MeleeSystem
3	DA_AmmoData	Weapons	BPC_AmmoComponent
4	DA_AIProfile	AI	AI_BaseAgentController
5	DA_NarrativeData	Narrative	BPC_NarrativeStateSystem
6	DA_EndingData	Narrative	BPC_EndingAccumulator
7	DA_InteractionData	Interaction	BPC_InteractionDetector
8	DA_ObjectiveData	Narrative/UI	BPC_ObjectiveSystem, WBP_ObjectiveDisplay
9	DA_EncounterData	Adaptive	BPC_ProceduralEncounter
10	DA_AtmosphereProfile	Adaptive	BPC_AtmosphereStateController
11	DA_ScareEvent	Adaptive	BPC_ScareEventSystem
12	DA_RoomMutation	Adaptive	BPC_AdaptiveEnvironmentDirector
13	DA_BehaviourVariant	AI	BPC_BehaviourVariantSelector
14	DA_HapticProfile	Settings	BPC_HapticsController (148)
15	DA_RenderPipelineProfile	Settings	BPC_RenderPipelineManager (149)
15	DA_AdaptationRule	Adaptive	BPC_DifficultyManager
16	DA_EquipmentConfig	Inventory	BPC_EquipmentSlotSystem
17	DA_PuzzleData	Interaction	BP_PuzzleDeviceActor
18	DA_RareEvent	Adaptive	BPC_RareEventSystem
19	DA_LevelConfig	Core	GM_CoreGameMode
20	DA_AudioSettings	Audio	SS_AudioManager (132) — replaces deprecated DA_AudioPresets

Reuse Notes

• This overview serves as a registry — all DA types referenced in any system must appear here
• New DA types require registration in DefaultGame.ini AND this document
• All individual DA spec files are in docs/blueprints/14-data-assets/