Items and Triggers

Orbem Studio includes several interactive object types for collectibles, information delivery, boundaries, and special interactions. This document covers Points, Signs, Explainers, Walls, Minigames, Magic/Abilities, and Communication Items.

Table of Contents

• Items (Points)
• Signs and Focus View
• Explainer Popups
• Walls
• Minigames
• Communication Items

Items (Points)

Post Type: explore-point

Items players can collect/break/get damaged by/drag throughout the game world, providing rewards or triggering events.

Configuration

• Area (explore-area): Where the item appears
• Position: top, left, height, width coordinates
• Rotation (explore-rotation): Sprite rotation in degrees
• Layer (explore-layer): Z-index for visual layering
• Featured Image: Visual representation of the item

Interaction Types

Interaction Type (explore-interaction-type):

• collectable - Collects when touched
• breakable - Breaks when interacted with
• draggable - Can be dragged
• hazard - Damages player on touch

Rewards

• Value (explore-value): Reward amount
• Value Type (explore-value-type): point, mana, health, money

Materialization

Items can appear after conditions are met:

• Materialize Trigger: Physical trigger zone
• Materialize After Cutscene: Appears after cutscene
• Materialize After Mission: Appears after mission

Example

Title: Health Potion
Area: dungeon-level-1
Top: 1800
Left: 2200
Height: 50
Width: 50

Interaction Type: collectable
Value: 25
Value Type: health

Signs and Focus View

Post Type: explore-sign

Objects players can examine closely, displaying detailed images or text.

Configuration

• Area (explore-area): Where the sign appears
• Position: top, left, height, width
• Featured Image: Trigger image (what appears on the map)
• Post Content: What displays when examined (use Image blocks for readable documents)

Use Cases

• Readable documents and books
• Detailed artwork or paintings
• Information terminals
• Puzzle clues

Example

Title: Ancient Tablet
Area: temple-ruins
Top: 2000
Left: 2500
Height: 80
Width: 60

Featured Image: tablet-on-wall.png
Content: [Image block with readable inscription]

Explainer Popups

Post Type: explore-explainer

Tutorial popups that provide information and instructions to players.

Configuration

• Area (explore-area): Where the explainer appears
• Explainer Trigger: Trigger zone (top, left, height, width)
• Explainer Arrow: Pointing arrow configuration (top, left, direction)
• Trigger Type (explore-trigger-type):
  • auto - Shows immediately when triggered
  • engagement - Requires action key press

Content

• Post Content: Explanation text (supports blocks)
• Featured Image: Optional illustration

Voice over

Use the MP3 field to upload a voice over or other sound when explainer is triggered

Use Cases

• Tutorial messages
• Gameplay hints
• Control explanations
• Story context

Example

Title: Combat Tutorial
Area: training-grounds

Explainer Trigger:
  Top: 2200
  Left: 2600
  Height: 100
  Width: 100
Trigger Type: auto

Explainer Arrow:
  Top: 2300
  Left: 2700
  Direction: down

Content: "Press SPACE to attack enemies!"

Walls

Post Type: explore-wall

Invisible collision boundaries that prevent character movement through specific areas.

Configuration

• Area (explore-area): Where the wall exists
• Position: top, left, height, width (defines the blocked rectangle)

Use Cases

• Create impassable obstacles
• Define building exteriors
• Block areas until missions complete
• Guide player movement

Visual Design

Walls are invisible but should align with visual boundaries on your map image (building walls, cliffs, fences, etc.).

Example

Title: Castle Wall
Area: castle-exterior

Top: 1500
Left: 2000
Height: 500
Width: 50

(Blocks movement through castle wall graphic)

Minigames

Post Type: explore-minigame

Interactive game-within-game experiences with custom rules.

Configuration

• Area (explore-area): Where minigame trigger appears
• Minigame Trigger: Trigger zone (top, left, height, width)
• Trigger Type: auto or engagement

Content

• Post Content: Minigame interface (use blocks to design layout)
• Images: Minigame assets
• Groups: Organize minigame UI elements

Rewards

• Value (explore-value): Completion reward
• Value Type: Reward type

Use Cases

• Puzzle challenges
• Quick-time events
• Memory games
• Custom interactions

Example

Title: Lock Picking
Area: vault-door

Minigame Trigger:
  Top: 1800
  Left: 2400
  Height: 100
  Width: 100
Trigger Type: engagement

Value: 50
Value Type: point

Content: [Custom lock-picking interface]

Communication Items

Post Type: explore-communicate

Messages delivered to the player's in-game communication device.

Configuration

• Post Content: Message text
• Featured Image: Sender avatar or icon
• Communication Type Taxonomy: Categorize by device type

Triggering

Communications are triggered by cutscenes using the explore-engage-communicate field.

Use Cases

• Story updates
• Mission briefings
• Character messages
• World lore delivery

Communication Devices

Define device types through the explore-communication-type taxonomy:

• Radio
• Computer Terminal
• Smartphone
• Hologram

Example

Title: Distress Signal
Communication Type: Radio

Content: "This is Captain Jones. We need immediate assistance at coordinates 42, 17."

(Triggered by cutscene)

Object Materialization Patterns

Many object types support materialization - appearing after conditions are met.

Physical Trigger

Materialize Trigger:
  Top: 2000
  Left: 2500
  Height: 100
  Width: 100

(Object appears when player enters this zone)

Cutscene Trigger

Materialize After Cutscene: reveal-secret

(Object appears after "reveal-secret" cutscene completes)

Mission Trigger

Materialize After Mission: find-the-key

(Object appears after "find-the-key" mission completes)

Best Practices

Collectible Placement

• Reward exploration with hidden items
• Place valuable items off the main path
• Use materialization to gate progression

Information Delivery

• Use Signs for detailed/optional information
• Use Explainers for required tutorials
• Use Communications for story updates

Collision Design

• Align walls with visual boundaries
• Test player movement thoroughly
• Leave clear walkable paths

Minigame Design

• Keep interactions simple and intuitive
• Provide clear instructions
• Balance difficulty with rewards

Related Documentation

• Missions - Item triggers and rewards
• Cutscenes - Communication delivery
• Characters - Ability unlocks
• Developer Mode - Visual object positioning