2D Character controller that moves in increments.

Questions & Answers
1

Hello,

I need some help with creating a controller for my 2D character. The problem I am having is that the character should move in a constant speed forward and then move to a specific Y-coordinate when a button is pressed.

In essence,
character moves forward in X with a constant speed.
If button is pressed, move character 3 units in Y while not losing speed in X.
If button is pressed again, move character another 3 units in Y from the new position.
etc.

How could I do this in a neat way, I would like the Y-movement to be smooth, so using a lerp seems reasonable. The only thing I can accomplish myself is the movement in Y or X, not both at the same time.

Thanks in advance,
Martin.

2

You can use Transform.Translate with a constant in the X-position.
You can use it in a coroutine like this:

IEnumerator moveCharacter()
    {
        while (transform.position.y < moveToThisY)
        {
            transform.Translate(xSpeed * Time.deltaTime, ySpeed * Time.deltaTime, 
                                0);
    
            yield return null;
        }
        
        transform.Translate(xSpeed * Time.deltaTime, 0, 0);
    }

Then, each time the button is pressed increment the moveToThisY by 3. You should probably set the y position to this variable as well, to ensure that it is exactly right, like this.

transform.position = new Vector3(transform.position.x, moveToThisY, 
                                 transform.position.z);

Place this line right after the while loop in the coroutine. You will also have to call the coroutine once in the Start function, like this:

StartCoroutine(moveCharacter());

EDIT:
Also note, that you should never actually use “transform” if you have to use it often. You should store a reference to it instead. In the class declare a variable:

private Transform myTransform;

And in the Start function assign myTransform to transform:

void Start()
{
   myTransform = transform;
}