How can I implement a fullscreen toggle feature in my game’s settings menu similar to Undertale?

Implementing a Fullscreen Toggle Feature in Your Game’s Settings Menu

Creating a fullscreen toggle feature in your game’s settings menu can significantly enhance user experience and give players more control over how they interact with your game. Undertale, for example, uses the F4 key for toggling fullscreen mode, providing inspiration for similar functionality.

1. Understanding Fullscreen Modes

There are generally two types of fullscreen modes you can implement:

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• Exclusive Fullscreen: This is a mode where the game takes full control of the display and provides the best performance but can cause flickering during screen switches.
• Borderless Windowed Mode: This mode maximizes the window without borders and feels like fullscreen while allowing for smooth alt-tab transitions.

2. Setting up the Fullscreen Toggle

To implement a fullscreen toggle feature, you need to define a key (such as F4) that will toggle between fullscreen and windowed modes. Here’s a basic implementation in C# for Unity:

void Update() {
    if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.F4)) {
        Screen.fullScreen = !Screen.fullScreen;
    }
}

This simple script checks if the F4 key is pressed and toggles the fullscreen state accordingly.

3. Integrating with Game Settings UI

To add this option to your game settings menu, create a checkbox or a button that players can click to enable or disable fullscreen mode. Use a UI framework to listen for changes and apply the fullscreen state:

public void ToggleFullScreen(bool isFullScreen){
    Screen.fullScreen = isFullScreen;
}

4. Advanced Configuration

• Screen Resolution Settings: Allow players to adjust their resolution settings in conjunction with fullscreen mode for optimal visual quality and performance.
• Save Preferences: Remember player’s fullscreen preferences by saving their choice using PlayerPrefs in Unity:

void Start() {
 Screen.fullScreen = PlayerPrefs.GetInt("FullScreen", 1) == 1;
}

public void ToggleFullScreen(bool isFullScreen){
 Screen.fullScreen = isFullScreen;
 PlayerPrefs.SetInt("FullScreen", isFullScreen ? 1 : 0);
}

Implementing a fullscreen toggle not only makes your game more accessible but shows consideration for user preferences and flexibility.

5. Testing and Optimization

Ensure to test the fullscreen toggle on various display setups and resolutions to catch any edge cases. Optimize performance in fullscreen mode to deliver the best visual experience possible without compromising performance.