add-mechanic

Add Mechanic

Add game mechanics using correct GDScript 4.x syntax. Prevents common LLM mistakes with outdated GDScript 3.x patterns.

GDScript 4.x Syntax Rules

These changed from Godot 3 to 4. LLMs frequently generate the OLD syntax:

Correct (GDScript 4.x)	Wrong (GDScript 3.x -- will error)
@export var speed: float = 200.0	export var speed = 200.0
@onready var sprite = $Sprite2D	onready var sprite = $Sprite2D
signal health_changed(new_hp: int)	signal health_changed (no typed params)
func _ready() -> void:	func _ready(): (return type optional but preferred)
velocity = Vector2(...) then move_and_slide()	move_and_slide(velocity, Vector2.UP) (args removed in 4.x)
super()	.method() for parent calls
await get_tree().create_timer(1.0).timeout	yield(get_tree().create_timer(1.0), "timeout")
%UniqueNode	get_node("path/to/node") when unique name is set

Movement Patterns

Platformer Movement

extends CharacterBody2D

@export var speed: float = 300.0
@export var jump_velocity: float = -400.0
@export var gravity: float = 980.0

func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
    # Gravity
    if not is_on_floor():
        velocity.y += gravity * delta

    # Jump
    if Input.is_action_just_pressed("jump") and is_on_floor():
        velocity.y = jump_velocity

    # Horizontal movement
    var direction := Input.get_axis("move_left", "move_right")
    velocity.x = direction * speed

    move_and_slide()

Key: move_and_slide() takes NO arguments in Godot 4. Velocity is set on the velocity property directly.

Top-Down Movement

extends CharacterBody2D

@export var speed: float = 200.0

func _physics_process(_delta: float) -> void:
    var direction := Input.get_vector("move_left", "move_right", "move_up", "move_down")
    velocity = direction * speed
    move_and_slide()

Point-and-Click Movement

extends CharacterBody2D

@export var speed: float = 200.0
var target_position: Vector2

func _input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
    if event is InputEventMouseButton and event.pressed:
        target_position = get_global_mouse_position()

func _physics_process(_delta: float) -> void:
    if position.distance_to(target_position) > 5.0:
        velocity = position.direction_to(target_position) * speed
    else:
        velocity = Vector2.ZERO
    move_and_slide()

Health/Damage System

extends Node
class_name HealthComponent

signal health_changed(new_hp: int, max_hp: int)
signal died

@export var max_hp: int = 100
var current_hp: int

func _ready() -> void:
    current_hp = max_hp

func take_damage(amount: int) -> void:
    current_hp = maxi(current_hp - amount, 0)
    health_changed.emit(current_hp, max_hp)
    if current_hp <= 0:
        died.emit()

func heal(amount: int) -> void:
    current_hp = mini(current_hp + amount, max_hp)
    health_changed.emit(current_hp, max_hp)

Usage: Add as child node of any entity. Connect died signal to handle death logic. Pattern: Component node (not inheritance) -- allows reuse on Player, Enemy, Destructible, etc.

Inventory System

extends Node
class_name Inventory

signal item_added(item: ItemResource)
signal item_removed(item: ItemResource)

@export var max_slots: int = 20
var items: Array[ItemResource] = []

func add_item(item: ItemResource) -> bool:
    if items.size() >= max_slots:
        return false
    items.append(item)
    item_added.emit(item)
    return true

func remove_item(item: ItemResource) -> void:
    items.erase(item)
    item_removed.emit(item)

func has_item(item_name: String) -> bool:
    return items.any(func(i: ItemResource) -> bool: return i.name == item_name)

Item resource:

extends Resource
class_name ItemResource

@export var name: String
@export var description: String
@export var icon: Texture2D
@export var stackable: bool = false
@export var max_stack: int = 1

Use Resource (not Node) for items -- they are data, not scene objects.

Save/Load System

ConfigFile (simple key-value)

extends Node

const SAVE_PATH := "user://save_data.cfg"

func save_game() -> void:
    var config := ConfigFile.new()
    config.set_value("player", "position", player.global_position)
    config.set_value("player", "health", player.health)
    config.set_value("game", "level", current_level)
    config.save(SAVE_PATH)

func load_game() -> void:
    var config := ConfigFile.new()
    if config.load(SAVE_PATH) != OK:
        return  # No save file
    player.global_position = config.get_value("player", "position", Vector2.ZERO)
    player.health = config.get_value("player", "health", 100)
    current_level = config.get_value("game", "level", 1)

JSON (complex/nested data)

func save_game_json() -> void:
    var data := {
        "player": { "x": player.global_position.x, "y": player.global_position.y, "hp": player.health },
        "inventory": items.map(func(i: ItemResource) -> String: return i.name),
        "timestamp": Time.get_datetime_string_from_system()
    }
    var file := FileAccess.open("user://save.json", FileAccess.WRITE)
    file.store_string(JSON.stringify(data, "\t"))

func load_game_json() -> void:
    if not FileAccess.file_exists("user://save.json"):
        return
    var file := FileAccess.open("user://save.json", FileAccess.READ)
    var data: Dictionary = JSON.parse_string(file.get_as_text())
    player.global_position = Vector2(data.player.x, data.player.y)

Use user:// path (NOT res://) for save files -- res:// is read-only in exported games.

Implementation Steps

1. Identify mechanic from user description
2. Create script using the appropriate template above:

   scripts(action="create", script_path="res://scripts/<name>.gd", content="...")
   

3. Attach to scene node if needed:

   nodes(action="set_property", scene_path="<scene>.tscn", name="<node>", property="script", value="res://scripts/<name>.gd")
   

4. Add companion nodes (e.g., HealthComponent as child node)
5. Connect signals in the scene or via script
6. Test: project(action="run", scene_path="<scene>.tscn")

When to Use

• Adding player movement to a character scene
• Implementing health/damage for any entity
• Setting up an inventory system
• Adding save/load functionality
• Any gameplay mechanic that needs correct GDScript 4.x patterns