Global Options

Global Options configure game-wide settings that affect all areas, characters, and gameplay systems. These settings are managed through the WordPress admin interface.

Table of Contents

• Accessing Global Options
• Core Game Settings
• HUD Configuration
• Visual Customization
• External Integrations
• Audio Settings

Accessing Global Options

Navigate to Orbem Studio → Game Options in your WordPress admin dashboard.

Core Game Settings

Page For Game

Type: Select (WordPress pages)

The WordPress page that displays your game interface. This page's content will be replaced with the game.

Setup:

1. Create a new page (title doesn't matter)
2. Publish the page (content will be overridden)
3. Select this page in Global Options

Starting Area

Type: Select (Areas)

The area where players begin when first loading the game.

Recommended: Choose your tutorial or introductory level.

Main Character

Type: Select (Characters)

The character players control at game start.

Requirements:

• Must be a character without a selected Area or Top and Left coordinate fields filled out
• Should have all directional images uploaded

Default Weapon

Type: Select (Weapons)

The starting weapon for your main character.

Common Choices:

• "fist" or "unarmed" for games starting with no weapon
• Basic melee weapon for immediate combat capability

Require Login

Type: Checkbox

Control whether players must log in to play.

• Checked: Users must create accounts (progress is saved)
• Unchecked: Anyone can play (progress not persisted for logged-out users)

HUD Configuration

HUD Bars

Type: Multiselect

Choose which stat bars to display in the heads-up display.

Options:

• health - Player health points
• mana - Magic/energy points
• power - Special ability meter
• money - In-game currency
• points - Experience or score

Tip: Only show bars relevant to your game design to avoid UI clutter.

Custom HUD Icons

Override default interface icons with your own designs.

Settings Icon

• Type: Upload
• Use: Gear/settings menu icon
• Recommended size: 32×32px to 64×64px PNG

Storage Menu Icon

• Type: Upload
• Use: Inventory icon
• Recommended size: 32×32px to 64×64px PNG

Hide Storage Menu

• Type: Checkbox
• Effect: Completely hide inventory UI if checked

Crewmate Menu Icon

• Type: Upload
• Use: Character switcher icon
• Recommended size: 32×32px to 64×64px PNG

Money Icon

• Type: Upload
• Use: Currency symbol in HUD
• Recommended size: 24×24px to 48×48px PNG

Indicator Icon

• Type: Upload
• Use: Interaction prompt (shows when objects are interactable)
• Recommended size: 32×32px to 64×64px PNG

Arrow Icon

• Type: Upload
• Use: Directional arrows in explainer popups
• Recommended size: 32×32px to 64×64px PNG

Visual Customization

Cutscene Styling

Cutscene Border Color

• Type: Color picker
• Default: System default
• Effect: Border color around cutscene dialogue boxes

Cutscene Border Size

• Type: Number (pixels)
• Recommended: 2-5px
• Effect: Thickness of cutscene borders

Cutscene Border Radius

• Type: Number (pixels)
• Recommended: 0-10px
• Effect: Rounded corners (0 = sharp corners)

Cutscene Border Style

• Type: Select
• Options: solid, dashed, dotted
• Effect: Border line style

Skip Button Color

• Type: Color picker
• Effect: Background color of cutscene skip button
• Note: Text is white

Explainer Styling

Explainer Border Color

• Type: Color picker
• Effect: Border color around explainer popups

Explainer Border Size

• Type: Number (pixels)
• Recommended: 2-5px

Explainer Border Radius

• Type: Number (pixels)
• Recommended: 0-10px

Explainer Border Style

• Type: Select
• Options: solid, dashed, dotted

Character Styling

Crewmate Hover Border Color

• Type: Color picker
• Effect: Border color when hovering over characters in crew selection menu

External Integrations

Google Login (OAuth)

Google Login ClientID

• Type: Text
• Purpose: Enable Google Sign-In for players

Setup:

1. Create Google Cloud project
2. Enable Google Sign-In API
3. Create OAuth 2.0 credentials
4. Copy Client ID
5. Paste into this field

Privacy Note: Sends Google ID token to Google for verification during login.

Google Text-to-Speech

Google TTS API Key

• Type: Text
• Purpose: Enable voice narration for cutscenes and explainers

Setup:

1. Enable Google Cloud Text-to-Speech API
2. Generate API key
3. Paste into this field

Privacy Note: Sends dialogue text to Google for speech synthesis.

Usage:

• Assigned character voices speak during cutscenes
• Explainer popups can be narrated
• Requires voice selection in character configuration

Audio Settings

Intro Video

Type: Upload (MP4, WEBM)

Video that plays when users first visit the game page.

Specifications:

• Format: MP4 or WEBM
• Recommended resolution: 1920×1080
• Duration: 10-60 seconds recommended

Start Screen Music

Type: Upload (MP3, WAV, OGG)

Music that plays on the start/login screen (after intro video).

Specifications:

• Format: MP3, WAV, or OGG
• Should loop seamlessly
• Recommended length: 1-3 minutes

Sign In Screen Background

Type: Upload (Image or Video)

Background image or video for the start/login screen.

Specifications:

• Image: JPG or PNG, 1920×1080 recommended
• Video: MP4 or WEBM

Walking Sound Effect

Type: Upload (MP3, WAV, OGG)

Sound effect that plays when the character walks.

Specifications:

• Short footstep sound (0.2-0.5 seconds)
• Will loop while walking
• Should be subtle

Points Sound Effect

Type: Upload (MP3, WAV, OGG)

Sound that plays when completing missions or collecting items.

Specifications:

• Short reward sound (0.5-2 seconds)
• Clear and satisfying
• Indicates achievement

Configuration Examples

Minimal Setup

Page For Game: Play Game
Starting Area: level-1
Main Character: hero
Default Weapon: fist
Require Login: unchecked

HUD Bars: health, points
(All other settings: defaults)

Full-Featured Setup

Page For Game: Play Now
Starting Area: tutorial-zone
Main Character: space-captain
Default Weapon: laser-pistol
Require Login: checked

Google Login ClientID: [your-client-id]
Google TTS API Key: [your-api-key]

HUD Bars: health, mana, power, money
Custom icons: all uploaded
Cutscene border: blue, 3px, rounded
Explainer border: green, 2px, solid

Intro Video: game-intro.mp4
Start Music: title-theme.mp3
Walking Sound: footsteps.mp3
Points Sound: success-chime.mp3

Best Practices

Performance

• Optimize intro video file size
• Compress audio files without quality loss
• Use appropriate image sizes for icons

User Experience

• Keep intro video under 30 seconds
• Make HUD icons clearly distinguishable
• Use consistent visual styling across all borders
• Test color contrast for accessibility

Security

• Never commit API keys to version control
• Use environment-specific API keys (dev vs production)
• Document external service dependencies

Testing

• Test with and without login requirement
• Verify Google integrations work correctly
• Check all custom icons appear properly
• Test on different screen sizes

Saving Changes

Click Save Changes at the bottom of the Global Options page to apply your configuration.

Note: Some changes (like page selection) may trigger plugin setup flows.

Related Documentation

• Getting Started - Initial configuration walkthrough
• Areas - Starting area setup
• Characters - Main character configuration
• Weapons - Default weapon setup