Custom Signals

📡 Signal System

The Signal System is the core of Distorted Vigil's exploration. Every sound you intercept is a

Signal. These signals are processed using Disks, and their identity depends on their assigned category.

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📂 Signal Categories

A Category defines the "nature" of the signal. It is a separate ScriptableObject that helps organize signals and determines their prefix.

Existing Categories in the game:

1. Planets

2. Stars

3. Asteroids

4. Blackholes

5. Objects

6. Unknowns

7. UnSpecified

To create a new category: If you want to add a new type like "Xenomorphs", right-click in Project -> Create -> Scriptable Objects -> SignalCategory and set the Category Name.

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🆔 Signal Identity (Automatic Naming)

Every time a signal is detected, the system generates a unique scientific name for it using the

GenerateSignalName() method.

How it works: The system takes the Category Name and attaches a Random 4-Digit ID.

Examples:

• Category: Planets ➔ PLANETS-ID8231

• Category: Blackholes ➔ BLACKHOLES-ID1042

• Category: Unknowns ➔ UNKNOWN-ID9928

This ensures that even if two signals have the same audio, they feel like unique discoveries in the universe.

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💿 Disk Levels & Audio Progression

Signals are processed via Disks (Level 1-4). The level determines:

1. Market Value: higher-level disks extract more valuable data.

2. Audio Clarity: index 0 corresponds to Level 1 (distorted/raw), while index 3 corresponds to Level 4 (fully processed/clear).

Key properties in the inspector:

Property	Description
Category	Drag and drop a SignalCategory asset here.
SignalAudios	Array of 4 AudioClips (one for each disk level).
DiskValues	Array of 4 float prices.
SignalHoldingMessage	The message revealed to the player after decoding.

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🛠 Technical Summary for Modders

To get a unique name or data for a specific level via code:

// Generates a string like "STARS-ID1234"
string signalName = signal.GenerateSignalName(); 

// Get data for Level 4
float finalPrice = signal.GetValueForDiskLevel(4);
AudioClip clearAudio = signal.GetAudioForDiskLevel(4);