This note outlines the structure and formulas needed to develop a two-tiered energy system in Unreal Engine 5, where players manage personal energy consumption and interact with a community energy grid. The goal is to balance home-based self-sufficiency and community resource-sharing, encouraging progression from energy reliance to independence.

Key Components:

  1. Home-Based Energy System - Player-controlled small-scale power generation and consumption.
  2. Public Energy Grid - Large-scale, community-managed energy production.

System Components

1. Home-Based Energy System (Player-Centric)

Key Mechanics:

  • Energy Generation: Small generators (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, bioenergy units) produce energy (measured in kWh).
  • Energy Storage: Players can add storage options like batteries. Stored energy is drawn on cloudy days, low wind, or peak usage periods.
  • Energy Consumption: Consumption includes lighting, tools, appliances, etc., and varies based on activity.

Basic Formulas:

  • Energy Produced (kWh): $$E_{prod} = \sum_{i=1}^n (Gen_{i} \times Eff_{i} \times \Delta t)$$ where:

    • $Gen_{i}$: Generation capacity of energy source ($i$) (e.g., solar, wind).
    • $Eff_{i}$: Efficiency of generator ($i$) (accounts for losses).
    • $\Delta t$: Time increment.

  • Energy Debt (kWh): $$E_{debt} = E_{consumed} - E_{stored} - E_{prod}$$ If $E_{debt} > 0$, the player relies on the public grid; if $E_{debt} \leq 0$, they are self-sufficient or contributing.

Unreal 5 Tips:

  • Use Blueprints for individual generators and storage units, enabling modular upgrades.
  • Track each player's energy status with Data Tables for easy UI integration.
  • Utilize Timeline nodes for real-time energy updates, showing production vs. consumption.

2. Public Energy Grid (Community-Based)

Key Mechanics:

  • Large-Scale Generators: Nuclear, hydro, or fusion reactors power shared systems, built through community resource contributions.
  • Energy Pool: Tracks the energy generated by public resources minus the collective consumption by all players.
  • Energy Debt Contribution System: Players track personal energy debts and contribute to communal grid resources to repay or even become net contributors.

Basic Formulas:

  • Total Community Energy Pool (kWh): $$E_{pool} = \sum_{j=1}^m (Gen_{j} \times Eff_{j} \times \Delta t) - \sum_{k=1}^p (Cons_{k})$$ where:

    • $Gen_{j}$: Generation capacity of large generators $j$.
    • $Eff_{j}$: Efficiency of generator $j$.
    • $Cons_{k}$: Consumption of player $k$.
    • $E_{pool}$: Updated per tick, allowing real-time adjustments.

  • Debt Repayment Calculation: $$ Debt_{repay} = E_{contrib} - E_{debt} $$ where:

    • $E_{contrib}$: Energy or resource value contributed to the grid.
    • $E_{debt}$: Player’s personal energy debt.
    • If $Debt_{repay} > 0$, the player contributes surplus energy.

Unreal 5 Tips:

  • Track community grid data using a Game Instance for global state management.
  • Use RPCs (Remote Procedure Calls) to handle player contributions, ensuring synchronized data in multiplayer.
  • Display public energy pool stats on a communal UI using UMG Widgets, updated by a central energy manager.

Implementation Guide

  1. Create Generators and Storage Units

    • Blueprints for small generators (solar, wind, bioenergy) with adjustable output based on efficiency.
    • Batteries as storage with charge/discharge rates affecting how long energy is available during low production.

  2. Develop Personal Energy Meters

    • Use Data Tables for each player’s energy generation, consumption, and storage.
    • Meter Logic: Update player debt status in real-time and show surplus or deficit.

  3. Set up the Public Energy Grid

    • Central energy pool managed by Game Instance.
    • Calculate total energy generated by communal resources and player consumption each tick.
    • Display community energy levels and public energy debt on communal UI accessible by all players.

  4. Debt Repayment and Contribution Tracking

    • Players gain points or community rewards as they pay back energy debt.
    • Contributions recorded in player stats, enabling tracking of net providers or consumers.

  5. UI and Visualization

    • Player Dashboard: Personal generation and debt levels.
    • Communal Dashboard: Shows public energy pool and collective status.
    • Use color indicators (e.g., green for surplus, red for deficit) to show energy health at a glance.

  6. Testing and Balancing

    • Regularly test generation, consumption, and debt formulas to ensure that players reach self-sufficiency at a reasonable rate.
    • Use Gameplay Tags for tracking different energy sources and adjust efficiency per environment or player upgrades.

Additional Considerations

  • Future Upgrades: As players gain resources, they can contribute to new community projects (e.g., more efficient reactors).
  • Emergencies and Events: Power outages, reactor issues, or energy surges can add unexpected challenges.
  • Player Achievements: Reward players for achieving self-sufficiency or becoming net contributors to the public grid.