Cleanup and Reset | Documentation

Time to code the last phase of the game: cleanup and reset. Code in this phase ensures that the game loops to intermission and that future matches start the same for each player.

Updating the GUI

Before doing cleanup and reset, inform players how the game ended using the DisplayManager to show the appropriate status.

Start by getting the winning player's name if there was one. Previously, the code checked if the size of the active players table was down to 1. To get the remaining player's name, return the name at the first index of that table.

In PlayerManager, start a new module function named getWinnerName().


function PlayerManager.getWinnerName()
end

-- Events
Players.PlayerAdded:Connect(onPlayerJoin)

Add an if statement that runs if something exists in activePlayers[1]. Although the table count was checked before, the player might have disconnected or left the game.


function PlayerManager.getWinnerName()
  local winningPlayer = activePlayers[1]

  if winningPlayer then
  end
end

In the if statement:

Return the player's name.
For the else, return an error string.


function PlayerManager.getWinnerName()
  local winningPlayer = activePlayers[1]

  if winningPlayer then
    return winningPlayer.Name
  else
    return "Error: No winning player found"
  end
end

Getting the End Status

Use a module function to take information from the correct end state, whether the timer ends or one player is left. Then, send that state variable to DisplayManager to update the status GUI with the appropriate message.

In MatchManager, code a new module function named getEndStatus() with a parameter named endState. To store the message that will be sent, add an empty variable named statusToReturn.


function MatchManager.prepareGame()
  playerManager.sendPlayersToMatch()
  matchStart:Fire()
end

function MatchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
  local statusToReturn
end

matchStart.Event:Connect(startTimer)
matchEnd.Event:Connect(stopTimer)

return MatchManager

Set the value of statusToReturn using if and elseif statements. Check for the end state variables: FoundWinner and TimerUp. For error checking, include an else at the end.


function MatchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
  local statusToReturn

  if endState == gameSettings.endStates.FoundWinner then

  elseif endState == gameSettings.endStates.TimerUp then

  else

  end
end

Add the following for each condition:

FoundWinner

A variable for the winner using playerManager.getWinnerName().
Update statusToReturn with a string announcing the winner.

TimerUp

Update statusToReturn with a string announcing time ran out.

Else

Update statusToReturn with an error message in case there are issues with getting the end game message.


function MatchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
  local statusToReturn

  if endState == gameSettings.endStates.FoundWinner then
    local winnerName = playerManager.getWinnerName()
    statusToReturn = "Winner is : " .. winnerName
  elseif endState == gameSettings.endStates.TimerUp then
    statusToReturn = "Time ran out!"
  else
    statusToReturn = "Error found"
  end
end

Send back the message by typing return statusToReturn.


function MatchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
  local statusToReturn

  if endState == gameSettings.endStates.FoundWinner then
    local winnerName = playerManager.getWinnerName()
    statusToReturn = "Winner is : " .. winnerName
  elseif endState == gameSettings.endStates.TimerUp then
    statusToReturn = "Time ran out!"
  else
    statusToReturn = "Error found"
  end

  return statusToReturn
end

Displaying and Testing

Get the updated announcement in GameManager and display it to the players using the DisplayManager.

Open GameManager. In the while true do loop, delete the last print statement. Then, create a variable named endStatus. Set it equal to calling matchManager.getEndStatus(endState).


while true do
  displayManager.updateStatus("Waiting for Players")

  repeat
    task.wait(gameSettings.intermissionDuration)
  until #Players:GetPlayers() >= gameSettings.minimumPlayers

  displayManager.updateStatus("Get ready!")
  task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)

  matchManager.prepareGame()
  local endState = matchEnd.Event:Wait()

  local endStatus = matchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
end

To display the returned message in the GUI label, call displayManager.updateStatus() and pass in endStatus.


local endStatus = matchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
  displayManager.updateStatus(endStatus)

So the game pauses to let players see the message, add a wait using transitionTime.


local endStatus = matchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
displayManager.updateStatus(endStatus)

task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)

Start a test server and check that players see the following messages for the time up and winning player conditions.

Time is up condition
Winning player condition

Troubleshooting Tips

At this point, you're unable to see the messages, try one of the following below.

If your end status message is "Error Found", none of the conditions were successful. Check the code in MatchManager.getEndStatus() against the code samples.
If the end status doesn't display, check that task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime) is after sending the message to displayManager.

Starting New Matches

Before starting a new match, there will be a brief transition. This gives players time to see the end status and makes being teleported to the lobby feel less sudden.

At the end of the transition, remaining players will be removed from the arena, and all of the code will reset. This ensures that players will start the next match with a clean version of the game.

Handling Transitions

When players move into the transition state, remove their weapons.

In PlayerManager, find the local functions. Copy and paste the highlighted code for removePlayerWeapon() below. The code will remove an individual player's weapon if it's actively equipt or in the player's backpack.


local function removePlayerWeapon(whichPlayer)
  -- Check to see if a player exist in case they disconnected or left.
  if whichPlayer then
    local character = whichPlayer.Character

    -- If the player has it currently on their character
    local weapon = character:FindFirstChild("Weapon")

    if weapon then
      weapon:Destroy()
    end

    -- If the player has the weapon in their backpack
    local backpackWeapon = whichPlayer.Backpack:FindFirstChild("Weapon") 

    if backpackWeapon then
      backpackWeapon:Destroy()
    end
  else
    print("No player to remove weapon")
  end
end

Start a new module function named removeAllWeapons().


function PlayerManager.removeAllWeapons()

end

-- Events
Players.PlayerAdded:Connect(onPlayerJoin)

return PlayerManager

In that function, use a for loop to go through the active players table. In the loop, call removePlayerWeapon() and pass in the player found.


function PlayerManager.removeAllWeapons()
  for playerKey, whichPlayer in activePlayers do
    removePlayerWeapon(whichPlayer)
  end
end

Cleaning Between Matches

Cleanup will be its own function in MatchManager. For now, cleanup will just use that previously created function to remove player weapons. As you expand the game, more can be added, such as functions to reset a map that changed during a match.

Open MatchManager. Add a new module function named cleanupMatch(). In that function, call playerManager.removeAllWeapons().


function MatchManager.cleanupMatch()
  playerManager.removeAllWeapons()
end

matchStart.Event:Connect(startTimer)
matchEnd.Event:Connect(stopTimer)

return MatchManager

Next, call the cleanup function. Open GameManager and find the while true do loop. So players have weapons removed during the ending intermission, call matchManager.cleanupMatch() before the last task.wait().


while true do
  displayManager.updateStatus("Waiting for Players")

  repeat
    task.wait(gameSettings.intermissionDuration)
  until #Players:GetPlayers() >= gameSettings.minimumPlayers
  
  displayManager.updateStatus("Get ready!")
  task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)

  matchManager.prepareGame()
  local endState = matchEnd.Event:Wait()

  local endStatus = matchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
  displayManager.updateStatus(endStatus)

  matchManager.cleanupMatch()
  task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)
end

Start a test server and run a match. Wait for the timer to run out and confirm that the player's weapon is removed during the end game intermission.

During a match
After the match

Resetting Matches

You may have noticed a few other things in the game, like players still being in the arena after a match ends. With the match cleaned up, next reset the game. This includes sending players in the arena back into the lobby and clearing the active players table. With a reset in place, a game loop can run indefinitely.

First, start a function to send players back to the lobby.

In PlayerManager:

Create a module function named resetPlayers().
Add a for loop to iterate through activePlayers.
In the loop, call respawnPlayerInLobby() and pass in the player as the parameter.


function PlayerManager.resetPlayers()
	for playerKey, whichPlayer in activePlayers do
		respawnPlayerInLobby(whichPlayer)
	end
end

-- Events
Players.PlayerAdded:Connect(onPlayerJoin)

return PlayerManager

Make sure the activePlayers table is empty for the next match by setting it equal to {}, which is a quick way of resetting to an empty table.


function PlayerManager.resetPlayers()
	for playerKey, whichPlayer in activePlayers do
		respawnPlayerInLobby(whichPlayer)
	end

	activePlayers = {}
end

Open MatchManager. Code a new module function named resetMatch() and call playerManager.resetPlayers().


function MatchManager.resetMatch()
	playerManager.resetPlayers()
end

matchStart.Event:Connect(startTimer)
matchEnd.Event:Connect(stopTimer)

return MatchManager

Go back to GameManager. At the end of the while true do loop, call matchManager.resetMatch().


while true do
	displayManager.updateStatus("Waiting for Players")

	repeat
		task.wait(gameSettings.intermissionDuration)
	until #Players:GetPlayers() >= gameSettings.minimumPlayers

 	displayManager.updateStatus("Get ready!")
 	task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)

 	matchManager.prepareGame()
 	local endState = matchEnd.Event:Wait()

 	local endStatus = matchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
 	displayManager.updateStatus(endStatus)

 	matchManager.cleanupMatch()
 	task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)

 	matchManager.resetMatch()
end

Start a test server and run a match. Confirm that you can at least go through two game loops without any errors.

Completed Scripts

Below are completed scripts to double check your work.

GameManager Script


-- Services
local ServerStorage = game:GetService("ServerStorage")
local Players = game:GetService("Players")

-- Module Scripts
local moduleScripts = ServerStorage:WaitForChild("ModuleScripts")
local matchManager = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("MatchManager"))
local gameSettings = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("GameSettings"))
local displayManager = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("DisplayManager"))

-- Events
local events = ServerStorage:WaitForChild("Events")
local matchEnd = events:WaitForChild("MatchEnd")

while true do
	displayManager.updateStatus("Waiting for Players")

	repeat
		task.wait(gameSettings.intermissionDuration)
	until #Players:GetPlayers() >= gameSettings.minimumPlayers

	displayManager.updateStatus("Get ready!")
	task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)

	matchManager.prepareGame()
	local endState = matchEnd.Event:Wait()

	local endStatus = matchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
	displayManager.updateStatus(endStatus)

	matchManager.cleanupMatch()
	task.wait(gameSettings.transitionTime)

	matchManager.resetMatch()
end

MatchManager Script


local MatchManager = {}

-- Services
local ServerStorage = game:GetService("ServerStorage")
local ReplicatedStorage = game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage")

-- Module Scripts
local moduleScripts = ServerStorage:WaitForChild("ModuleScripts")
local playerManager = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("PlayerManager"))
local gameSettings = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("GameSettings"))
local displayManager = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("DisplayManager"))
local timer = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("Timer"))

-- Events
local events = ServerStorage:WaitForChild("Events")
local matchStart = events:WaitForChild("MatchStart")
local matchEnd = events:WaitForChild("MatchEnd")

-- Values
local displayValues = ReplicatedStorage:WaitForChild("DisplayValues")
local timeLeft = displayValues:WaitForChild("TimeLeft")

-- Creates a new timer object to be used to keep track of match time.
local myTimer = timer.new()

-- Local Functions
local function stopTimer()
	myTimer:stop()
end

local function timeUp()
	matchEnd:Fire(gameSettings.endStates.TimerUp)
end

local function startTimer()
	myTimer:start(gameSettings.matchDuration)
	myTimer.finished:Connect(timeUp)

	while myTimer:isRunning() do
		-- Adding +1 makes sure the timer display ends at 1 instead of 0.
		timeLeft.Value = (math.floor(myTimer:getTimeLeft() + 1))
		-- By not setting the time for wait, it offers more accurate looping
		task.wait()
	end
end

-- Module Functions
function MatchManager.prepareGame()
	playerManager.sendPlayersToMatch()
	matchStart:Fire()
end

function MatchManager.getEndStatus(endState)
	local messageToReturn

	if endState == gameSettings.endStates.FoundWinner then
		local winnerName = playerManager.getWinnerName()
		messageToReturn = "Winner is : " .. winnerName
	elseif endState == gameSettings.endStates.TimerUp then
		messageToReturn = "Time ran out!"
	else
		messageToReturn = "Error found"
	end

	return messageToReturn
end

function MatchManager.cleanupMatch()
	playerManager.removeAllWeapons()
end

function MatchManager.resetMatch()
	playerManager.resetPlayers()
end

matchStart.Event:Connect(startTimer)
matchEnd.Event:Connect(stopTimer)

return MatchManager

PlayerManager Script


local PlayerManager = {}

-- Services
local Players = game:GetService("Players")
local ServerStorage = game:GetService("ServerStorage")
local ReplicatedStorage = game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage")

-- Modules
local moduleScripts = ServerStorage:WaitForChild("ModuleScripts")
local gameSettings = require(moduleScripts:WaitForChild("GameSettings"))

-- Events
local events = ServerStorage:WaitForChild("Events")
local matchEnd = events:WaitForChild("MatchEnd")

-- Map Variables
local lobbySpawn = workspace.Lobby.StartSpawn
local arenaMap = workspace.Arena
local spawnLocations = arenaMap.SpawnLocations

-- Values
local displayValues = ReplicatedStorage:WaitForChild("DisplayValues")
local playersLeft = displayValues:WaitForChild("PlayersLeft")

-- Player Variables
local activePlayers = {}
local playerWeapon = ServerStorage.Weapon

local function checkPlayerCount()
	if #activePlayers == 1 then
		matchEnd:Fire(gameSettings.endStates.FoundWinner)
		print("Found winner")
	end
end

local function removeActivePlayer(player)
	print("removing player")
	for playerKey, whichPlayer in activePlayers do
		if whichPlayer == player then
			table.remove(activePlayers, playerKey)
			playersLeft.Value = #activePlayers
			checkPlayerCount()
		end
	end
end

local function respawnPlayerInLobby(player)
	player.RespawnLocation = lobbySpawn
	player:LoadCharacter()
end

local function preparePlayer(player, whichSpawn)
	player.RespawnLocation = whichSpawn
	player:LoadCharacter()

	local character = player.Character or player.CharacterAdded:Wait()

	-- Give the player a tool
	local sword = playerWeapon:Clone()
	sword.Parent = character

	local humanoid = character:WaitForChild("Humanoid")

	humanoid.Died:Connect(function()
		respawnPlayerInLobby(player)
		removeActivePlayer(player)
	end)
end

local function onPlayerJoin(player)
	player.RespawnLocation = lobbySpawn
end

local function removePlayerWeapon(whichPlayer)
	-- Check to see if a player exist in case they disconnected or left.
	if whichPlayer then
		local character = whichPlayer.Character

		-- If the player has it currently on their character
		local weapon = character:FindFirstChild("Weapon")

		if weapon then
			weapon:Destroy()
		end

		-- If the player has the weapon in their backpack
		local backpackWeapon = whichPlayer.Backpack:FindFirstChild("Weapon") 

		if backpackWeapon then
			backpackWeapon:Destroy()
		end
	else
		print("No player to remove weapon")
	end
end


function PlayerManager.sendPlayersToMatch()
	local availableSpawnPoints = spawnLocations:GetChildren()

	for playerKey, whichPlayer in Players:GetPlayers() do
		table.insert(activePlayers,whichPlayer)

		-- Gets a spawn location and then removes it from the table so the next player gets the next spawn
		local spawnLocation = availableSpawnPoints[1]
		table.remove(availableSpawnPoints, 1)
		preparePlayer(whichPlayer, spawnLocation)
	end

	playersLeft.Value = #activePlayers
end

function PlayerManager.getWinnerName()
  local winningPlayer = activePlayers[1]

	if winningPlayer then
		return winningPlayer.Name
	else
		return "Error: No player found"
	end
end

function PlayerManager.removeAllWeapons()
	for playerKey, whichPlayer in activePlayers do
		removePlayerWeapon(whichPlayer)
	end
end

function PlayerManager.resetPlayers()
	for playerKey, whichPlayer in activePlayers do
		respawnPlayerInLobby(whichPlayer)
	end

	activePlayers = {}
end

-- Events
Players.PlayerAdded:Connect(onPlayerJoin)

return PlayerManager