UE5-Modular-Game-Framework/docs/game/core-gameinstance.md

Game Core — GI_HorrorGame (Game Instance)

Game: Project Void | Asset: GI_HorrorGame | Parent: GI_GameFramework Asset Path: Content/Game/Core/GI_HorrorGame.uasset Build Phase: 1 | Framework System: 04_GI_GameFramework

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Purpose

The game-specific Game Instance. Inherits all kernel functionality from GI_GameFramework (game phase state machine, session flags, save slot management, service resolution, platform init). This BP child adds game-specific bootstrap configuration and horror-game startup sequences.

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Dependencies

System	Type	Why
GI_GameFramework (04)	Parent class	Inherits all kernel systems
GM_HorrorGameMode	Referenced	Default game mode for all levels
DA_GameTagRegistry (01)	Configured	Tag registry assigned in Class Defaults
All SS_ Subsystems	Owned	Initialized by parent on boot
DA_AudioSettings_Horror (134)	Configured	Audio mix defaults for horror game

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Creation Steps

Step 1 — Create Blueprint Child

Content Browser → Game/Core/
  Right-click → Blueprint Class
  Parent Class: GI_GameFramework (from Framework/Core/)
  Name: GI_HorrorGame

Step 2 — Configure Class Defaults

Open GI_HorrorGame → Class Defaults:

Property	Value	Notes
TagRegistry	DA_GameTagRegistry (Framework/Core/)	Critical — validates all gameplay tags on boot
ActiveSaveSlotIndex	0	Default save slot
PlatformType	Generic	Change to Steam/PlayStation/Xbox per build
bFirstLaunch	true	Triggers intro flow on first-ever boot

Step 3 — Add Game-Specific Variables

Variable	Type	Default	Category	Purpose
bIntroPlayed	Boolean	false	Game	Tracks if opening cutscene has been played
TotalDeaths	Integer	0	Game	Global death counter (persists across runs)
FearIntensityMultiplier	Float	1.0	Game	Global scalar for scare/fear intensity
ActiveEndingTag	GameplayTag	—	Game	Tracks which ending path player is on

Step 4 — Wire Event Init (Game-Specific Override)

[Event Init] (inherited from GI_GameFramework — call parent first)
   │
   ├─ Parent: Event Init
   │
   ├─ [Bootstrap Game Services]
   │    │
   │    ├─ GetSubsystem(SS_AudioManager) → Initialize (DA_AudioSettings_Horror)
   │    │    └─ Sets horror-specific mix bus levels (quieter music, louder SFX)
   │    │
   │    ├─ GetSubsystem(SS_SettingsSystem) → Apply Settings
   │    │    └─ Loads persisted audio/video/control settings
   │    │
   │    └─ GetSubsystem(SS_EnhancedInputManager) → Initialize (DA_InputMapping_Horror_PC)
   │         └─ Load horror-specific keybindings
   │
   ├─ [Check First Launch]
   │    │
   │    ├─ bFirstLaunch? → Branch
   │    │    ├─ True:
   │    │    │    ├─ SetSessionFlag("HasSeenIntro", false)
   │    │    │    └─ (Optional) Reset achievement progress for fresh start
   │    │    └─ False:
   │    │         └─ SetSessionFlag("HasSeenIntro", true)
   │    │
   │    └─ Set bFirstLaunch = false (won't trigger again this session)
   │
   ├─ [Route to First Scene]
   │    │
   │    ├─ Set Game Phase → Loading
   │    ├─ OpenLevel → "L_SplashScreen"
   │    └─ (Splash auto-advances to L_MainMenu after sequence)
   │
   └─ Broadcast OnFrameworkReady

Step 5 — Add Game-Specific Functions

SetFearIntensity(Float Multiplier)

Input:  Multiplier (Float)
Output: none
Flow:
  ├─ FearIntensityMultiplier = Multiplier
  ├─ GetSubsystem(SS_AudioManager) → SetFloatParameter("FearIntensity", Multiplier)
  └─ Optionally notify BPC_PacingDirector of new intensity

GetEndingAccumulator() → BPC_EndingAccumulator

Output: BPC_EndingAccumulator Reference
Flow:
  ├─ Get Player Pawn → GetComponentByClass(BPC_EndingAccumulator)
  └─ Return reference (null if player isn't spawned yet — only valid InGame)

QuitToDesktop()

Flow:
  ├─ GetSubsystem(SS_SaveManager) → QuickSave (if in-game)
  ├─ SetSessionFlag("CleanQuit", true)
  └─ UKismetSystemLibrary.QuitGame(GetWorld(), GetPlayerController(), Quit)

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Key Differences from GI_GameFramework Parent

Aspect	GI_GameFramework (Framework)	GI_HorrorGame (Game)
Tag Registry	Not set (abstract)	DA_GameTagRegistry assigned
Audio Settings	None	DA_AudioSettings_Horror
Input Profile	None	DA_InputMapping_Horror_PC
First Route	Generic	L_SplashScreen → L_MainMenu
Game Variables	Session flags only	TotalDeaths, FearIntensityMultiplier, ActiveEndingTag

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Blueprint Wiring Checklist

• Create BP child of GI_GameFramework named GI_HorrorGame in Game/Core/
• Set TagRegistry → DA_GameTagRegistry in Class Defaults
• Add 4 game-specific variables (bIntroPlayed, TotalDeaths, FearIntensityMultiplier, ActiveEndingTag)
• Override Event Init → call Parent → bootstrap audio, settings, input → route to splash
• Add SetFearIntensity function
• Add GetEndingAccumulator function
• Add QuitToDesktop function
• Set GI_HorrorGame as Default Game Instance in Project Settings → Maps & Modes

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Project Settings Configuration

Edit → Project Settings → Maps & Modes
  Default Game Instance: GI_HorrorGame  (NOT GI_GameFramework)

Edit → Project Settings → Gameplay Tags
  Add all 11 DT_Tags_*.csv Data Tables to Gameplay Tag Table List
  (See project-setup-migration.md section 2.2)

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Communications With

Target System	Method	Why
GM_HorrorGameMode	Direct (spawned by engine)	Game rules
SS_AudioManager	GetSubsystem	Audio bus config on boot
SS_SettingsSystem	GetSubsystem	Load/apply settings on boot
SS_EnhancedInputManager	GetSubsystem	Load input profile on boot
SS_SaveManager	GetSubsystem	Auto-save on quit
BPC_PacingDirector	Dispatcher	Fear intensity changes
BPC_EndingAccumulator	Interface	Ending path tracking

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Notes for Expansion

• To add Steam integration: set PlatformType = Steam, add Steam subsystem init in Event Init
• To add Epic Online Services: create a SS_OnlineManager subsystem, init in Event Init
• To support DLC chapters: add a LoadedChapters map variable, query on level load
• The FearIntensityMultiplier could drive a global difficulty scaler accessible to all systems
• Consider adding an OnGameBootComplete dispatcher for systems that need to wait for full init

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GI_HorrorGame — Core game instance for Project Void. See GAMEINDEX.md for full game structure. See 04_GI_GameFramework.md for parent class spec.