Player State Machine

Version 40.1 by Alexandros Mloukie on 2025/12/17 15:04

0 - Introduction

This document outlines the Finite State Machine infrastructure inherent to the Player Character. It contains and defines:

Player States & Overarching Architecture
State Transitions
State Actions

The player's Finite State machine defines the states and capabilities of the Player Character within the game. Each state is self-contained, and can be transitioned to when certain conditions are met. The state capabilities, transition requirements, and relations to one another are defined within this document.

0.1 - Disclaimer

This document is subject to change as part of the evolving nature of the game's development, and updates will be made accordingly. If anything is not correct or requires further explanation, contact Adam Janus to get further guidance.

0.2 - Terminology

Term	Meaning
PC	Player Character
FSM	Finite State Machine

1 - Core Concepts

There are 4 key concepts inherent to the FSM

Concept	Definition
State	The different, distinct, and self-contained conditions the PC can be in. The PC can only be in one state at any given moment.
Action	Describes the different actions, mechanics, and elements the player can engage with.Multiple States can have access to the same Actions. Some Actions will Transition from the current State to a new one. Actions can induce Statuses on the player.
Status	Describes an external effect (e.g. buff/debuff) that affects the player (e.g. Blindness, Crippled) Statuses can affect the capabilities of the player (e.g. reduce speed), and prevent or allow certain Actions taking place (e.g. no sprinting when Crippled). Statuses can prevent or allow the player's Transitions to another State.
Transition	A Transition refers to the act of moving from one State to another, usually as a result of an Action or Status.

2 - Player States

State	Description
Idle	Default player State. Allows for most of the movement and combat actions the player can partake in.
Controlled Fall	The player is mid-air, but maintains control over the PC.
Freefall	The player is mid-air, but has lost control over the PC.
Skating	The player is skating on top of a rail.
Rock Climbing	The player is clung onto a climbable rock surface.
Rope Climbing	The player is currently on a climbable rope.
Grappling	The player is currently utilizing a Grapple Hook tool.
Mounted	The player is mounting a vehicle/ridable mob.

3 - Actions

3.1 - Traversal Actions

For details on any of the following actions please refer to: Traversal - Technical Design

Walk Sprint Crouch Jump Fall Skate Rock Climb Rope Climb Grapple

3.2 - Combat Actions

For details on any of the following actions please refer to: Combat System - Technical Design

Attack Block Parry Dodge Use Off-Hand

3.3 - Interaction Actions

For details on any of the following actions please refer to: Crafting System - Technical Design

Interact Construct

4 - Statuses

4.1 - Status List

Status	Blocks the following Actions
Blinded	Skate Grapple Attack Parry Interact Construct
Crippled	Sprint Jump Skate Rock Climb Dodge
Crouching	Sprint Dodge
Sprinting	Crouch Rock Climb Rope Climb Grapple Attack Block Parry Dodge Use Off-Hand Interact Construct
Attacking	Sprint Rock Climb Rope Climb Grapple Attack Block Parry Dodge Use Off-Hand Interact Construct

4.2 - Action Induced Statuses

Action	Applies the following Status
Sprint	Sprinting
Crouch	Crouching
Attack	Attacking

5 - Transitions

5.1 - High-Level Transition Diagram

5.2 - Per-State Transition Tables

5.2.1 - Idle Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Walk Sprint Crouch	-
Jump	Controlled Fall
Fall with Stamina	Controlled Fall
Rock Climb	Rock Climbing
Rope Climb	Rope Climbing
Grapple	Grappling
Attack Block Parry Dodge Use Off-Hand	-
Interact Construct with object or station	-
Interact with mount	Mounted

5.2.2 - Controlled Fall Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Fall land on ground	Idle
Fall land on rail	Skating
Fall out of Stamina or after X seconds	Freefall
Rock Climb	Rock Climbing
Rope Climb	Rope Climbing
Grapple	Grappling

5.2.3 - Freefall Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Fall land on a solid surface	Idle

5.2.4 - Skating Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Jump	Controlled Fall
Grapple	Grappling

5.2.5 - Rock Climbing Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Jump	Controlled Fall
Fall when out of Stamina	Controlled Fall → Freefall
Rock Climb end Rock Climb on ground	Idle
Grapple	Grappling

5.2.6 - Rope Climbing Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Jump	Controlled Fall
Fall when out of Stamina	Controlled Fall → Freefall
Rope Climb end Rope Climb on ground	Idle
Grapple	Grappling

5.2.7 - Grappling Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Jump	Controlled Fall
Fall when out of Stamina	Controlled Fall → Freefall
Rock Climb	Rock Climbing
Rope Climb	Rope Climbing
Grapple end Grapple on ground	Idle

5.2.8 - Mounted Transitions

Available Actions	Transitions to State
Walk	-
Interact to dismount	Idle