Godot How to Crash Course

In Godot, almost everything is a Node, and functionality is shared through Signals (events) and Scripts (GDScript or C#).

Here is your "How-to" roadmap for building a fully functional single-player prototype.

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1. Environment & World Building

• How to Add Sky & Lighting: Use a WorldEnvironment node with a Sky resource and a DirectionalLight3D (for sun).

• How to Add Earth (Terrain): Use a CSGBox3D for simple prototyping or a StaticBody3D with a CollisionShape3D and a MeshInstance3D for custom floors.

• How to Add Music/SFX: Use AudioStreamPlayer (Global), AudioStreamPlayer2D, or AudioStreamPlayer3D (Positional).

2. The Player (Kinematics)

• How to Create a Character (FPS/TPS): Use a CharacterBody3D. This node has the built-in move_and_slide() method for handling slopes and collisions.

• How to Add Jump & Gravity: Inside the _physics_process script, subtract from velocity.y for gravity and set velocity.y to a jump strength variable when an input is pressed.

• How to Create a Vehicle (Car/Tank): Use the VehicleBody3D node for built-in suspension physics, or a CharacterBody3D if you want "arcade" style movement you control manually.

3. Combat & Interaction

• How to Shoot (Projectiles): Use instantiate() to spawn a "Bullet" scene (an Area3D or RigidBody3D) at the player's muzzle position.

• How to Shoot (Hitscan/Laser): Use the RayCast3D node to instantly detect what is in front of the player.

• How to Handle Health: Create a variable health on your target. Use area_entered or body_entered signals to trigger a take_damage() function that reduces that variable.

4. UI & Feedback

• How to Create a Health Bar: Use a TextureProgressBar or a simple ProgressBar node. Link the player’s health variable to the bar’s value property.

• How to Track Score: Use a "Global" (Singleton) script to store a score variable so it persists across different parts of the game.

• How to Show a Start/End Screen: Use CanvasLayer to keep the UI on top. Use get_tree().change_scene_to_file() to swap between your "Menu" scene and "Game" scene.

5. Game Logic & State

• How to Trigger Events: Use Area3D (the "Trigger Box"). When the player enters, emit a signal to open a door, start a timer, or end the game.

• How to Pause the Game: Set get_tree().paused = true. Note: You must set the "Process Mode" of your Menu UI to "Always" so it doesn't freeze along with the game.