How to control collision detection using non-colliding object?

Unity Engine
1

I’m making a pong-style replica. I have all my necessary objects, ball, paddles, gameboard, etc. I also have a Game Controller object, which I have my ball speed, player speed, movement, etc. controlled from. But, I’m having to put a script onto the ball itself to detect which direction to apply forces when it collides with the paddles and so forth. I want to be able to handle that detection from the game controller as well…

I understand the basics of OnCollisionEnter(), OnCollisionExit(), OnCollisionStay() functions. But from what I know, you’re required to use that function within a script component attached to one of the colliding objects, in my case the ball. I would like to keep my scripts all on"Game Controller" object, separate from the objects actually used and manipulated in game, so all my main variables, functions, etc. can be together in a single location. Is there a way to do this?

2

Hmmm, the only thing I can think of is comparing its location within the world to the location of the object your trying to determine it collides with.

3

Why not just use OneCollisionEnter() from the colliding object to call a function on your Game Controller every time it hits? You can even pass collision info.

4

I think that’s my only option. I thought about ChrisButler’s idea too, but it seemed like it would complicate more than simplify the situation. Thanks both of you for the suggestions.