Create jumping motion with only transform.Translate

Questions & Answers
1

I have an empty 3D GameObject that is serving as the player in a game that I am building. I am trying to write a script that enables the player to “jump” when SPACE is pressed. I want to do this using kinematic equations, and with only transform.Translate. Here is the code I have so far:

public float fallingSpeed;

void Update () {
    if (Input.GetKey (KeyCode.Space)) {
        Jump ();
    }
}

public void Jump () {
	float yPosition = 0.5f;

	// Don't let player fall through floor
	if (transform.position.y <= 0.5f) {
		fallingSpeed = 0.0f;
	} else {
		fallingSpeed -= 9.8f * Time.deltaTime;
		yPosition += fallingSpeed * Time.deltaTime;
	}

	// Translate y-position
	transform.Translate (new Vector3 (0.0f, yPosition, 0.0f));
}

Currently, when SPACE is pressed, the player launches into the air and doesn’t come back down. I have tried tinkering with the logic for some time, but can’t seem to wrap my head around why it’s not working.

Any help is appreciated!

EDIT: it seems as though my player reacts well to the mechanics I have set up… when SPACE is held down. As soon as you let go, the player hangs at whatever y-position he is currently situated, and doesn’t move until you press SPACE again. How do I get him to keep falling even when I let go of SPACE? Will that have to be in the Update() method? Thanks!

2

one word : rigidbody