How can I implement a feature to keep the mouse moving continuously in my idle clicker game without player input?

Implementing Continuous Mouse Movement in Idle Clicker Games

Developing an idle clicker game with automated mouse movement can enhance user engagement by simulating activity without direct input. Below are the steps and technical aspects of implementing this feature:

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Step 1: Designing the Mouse Movement Script

• Use a scripting language supported by your game engine (e.g., GDScript for Godot, C# for Unity).
• Create a coroutine or a timed function that updates the mouse position based on a predefined path or random movement within a specified area.

// Example in GDScript for Godot
every_frame(func):
    var mouse_position = get_random_mouse_position()
    Input.set_mouse_position(mouse_position)

Step 2: Simulating Continuous Motion

• Define the movement path or area. This can be a circular or linear path, or use noise functions for random but smooth movements.
• Manage timing to ensure the movement appears natural and not erratic—consider Perlin noise for smooth randomness.

// Example path using Perlin noise
func get_random_mouse_position():
    var noise = OpenSimplexNoise.new()
    var x = noise.get_noise_2d(OS.get_ticks_msec() / 1000, 0) * screen_width/2 + screen_width/2
    var y = noise.get_noise_2d(0, OS.get_ticks_msec() / 1000) * screen_height/2 + screen_height/2
    return Vector2(x, y)

Step 3: Integration and Testing

• Ensure that the mouse movement doesn’t interfere with other game mechanics or UI elements.
• Run user tests to observe if the simulated motion feels engaging without causing distractions.

Step 4: Enhancing Game Mechanics

• Extend functionality by interacting with on-screen items, simulating clicks on resources, or avatars appearing to engage tasks.
• Automate interactions based on time loops to mimic a player actively contributing to game progression.