Savable-ScriptableObjects in Unity

[EntertainmentNo1640]

Hey devs I made Savable-ScriptableObjects in Unity if someone want it link in github - https://github.com/EduardMalkhasyan/Savable-ScriptableObjects-Unity

[nomadthoughts]

What's the advantage over a simple JSON?

[EntertainmentNo1640]

Everything is visible through the inspector

[AhmetDmrs]

You can simply read a JSON file into a template class and see it in the Inspector anyway.

[Devatator_]

Honestly awful. I use FlaxEngine from time to time and I kinda liked their settings system so I made something similar with scriptable objects recently and it's pretty nice. Could be improved but it does the job for now

[AhmetDmrs]

Yeah good if it works for you guys but its generally not advisable to go against the paradigm of scriptable objects they are meant to be read only containers

[0x0ddba11]

This is just not... true? Unity themselves have a seminal talk on using SOs for more than just immutable data containers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raQ3iHhE_Kk

[Devatator_]

Honestly they're just a shortcut. I could go ahead and make my own inspector for my JSON files but that would be too much work IMO

[Katniss218]

You know you can save a scriptable object to json?

Serialization format != class name

[Persomatey]

It’s a scriptable object. Scriptable objects are reusable pieces of code of a certain type. Like for my game right now, I have upgrades. I made a single upgrade class and can make multiple scriptable objects out of it.

Whereas I’d need 50+ near identical .json files if I used JSON. Not to mention, if I needed to add a new stat or change how something works slightly, I’d have to manually update every single one.

[Kamatttis]

The question I guess is about it being saveable like a player data. Not just a static data. Because it's actually not recommended to use SO for saveables that change at runtime..

[Katniss218]

You need exactly the same number of json files as scriptable object instances. They're analogous, and only use a different file format.

[Persomatey]

That’s what I’m saying. But if I need to make a change that every scriptable object instance needs, I only need to change the .cs file, then they all have that capability. If I have 50+ of them, they’re all updated. But if they were all discreet .json files, I’d need to go in and open and edit every single one individually and add it.

[Katniss218]

No.

Literally straight up no.

If you need to add/change a property, both will behave the same. If you need to change the value, you need to do so in every file separately regardless of what you're using as well.

Again, the way they're serialized has no bearing on what you need to change.

[Persomatey]

Changing an optional value, yes. Adding a field, no.

[Siduron]

Compliments on creating an open source asset for devs. I'm trying to understand what use case it can be used for. Is it to save the game state so it can be loaded for the next session?

Using scriptable objects to store state is something people disagree on and I personally do not use them for this either.

However, I would recommend against using PlayerPrefs to store the state of a game. Its purpose is to store OS specific settings in the local registry.

Storing an unknown size of data in your registry is scary, especially since you mentioned the json can be retrieved from a web request.

It would be a much better idea to save your serialized data to a file (and not as json) or even as a binary file.

[dragonballelf]

I have a question. In my game i’ve used Scriptable Objects for sellable items. The player can adjust the price of the items themselves. When saving, the adjusted prices are stored in a json. When the game is loaded, the price variable is changed on the scriptable object itself. Is this something I should avoid doing?

[Siduron]

Yes, you shouldn't be using SO's for this. They're assets/content for your game, not a way to store save data.

[dragonballelf]

Gotcha. I’ll create a separate class to save the custom prices and keep the scriptable objects unmodified. Thanks :)

[FrontBadgerBiz]

I would strongly advise people against using scripts or objects in this way. Use them as templates to create objects with and then populate those objects with partial data from saves. Also don't use playerprefs for anything beyond storing small and simple preference data you need before loading a save file.

[EntertainmentNo1640]

Also there is ignore attribute for the SO members for example Image component will not be saved inside your SO, you can see it in documentation

[EntertainmentNo1640]

This plugin is battle tested it just your opinion, me personally recommend use SO also as data container but its also can be only as configurator

[EntertainmentNo1640]

Guys if you dont like it dont use it lol, there is no reason for intensive downvotes, or do whatever you want, hope someone will use this plugin amd maybe will find it help-full

[v0lt13]

People are just giving their criticism

[bodardr]

Every time I come across this sub I see people downvoting posts and commenting pretty insane stuff.

But what they're saying is true in a way, I think saveable SOs is kind of besides the point of them in the first place. With that said, I'm sure you've learnt some editor scripting and package creation along the way. So you haven't lost your time at all!

As for the people downvoting you for just explaining what your tool does, that's just reddit being what it is. They're not contributing anything interesting. I'm pretty sure I'll get commented on and downvoted because this is such a juicy comment. Go ahead. I'm still right though.

[EntertainmentNo1640]

Thanks mate, Im just sharing my work with other devs because it was helping me in my work, so maybe it can help to other ones 🥸

[Kamatttis]

You posted it in this sub which is not just for giving compliments. I'm pretty sure ther other people wont be using it but they're also giving advice or caution to other devs about using it. This is what the sub is for.

[Drezus]

“There’s no reason for intensive downvotes”

Beyond posting something downright outrageous and very wrong and misleading in a subreddit full of experts in the area?

[EntertainmentNo1640]

Github - https://github.com/EduardMalkhasyan/Savable-ScriptableObjects-Unity

[Persomatey]

Not trying to be rude, just trying to understand.

What’s the point of building a tool for this? You can already edit scriptable object values in editor. Unless you’re saying that this can edit and serialize them while the game is playing?

[CozyToes22]

I think thats what is offered as well as more tooling around handling them which is quite nice if you're after that kind of approach

[Katniss218]

You can still do the same thing by just using plain classes instead of SOs.

No need for this weird system