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
• Loading: Use UAssetManager with FPrimaryAssetType and FPrimaryAssetId for async loading
• Validation: Each DA implements ValidateData() for editor-time data integrity checks
• Gameplay Tags: All DAs carry a FGameplayTagContainer for query and filtering

Dependency Rules

1. DAs reference other DAs by FPrimaryAssetId or TSoftObjectPtr, 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]

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
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/