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Key Terms#

Older/Work In Progress Page

  • This page was initially written for an older version of Helix, has not been updated, and may be out of date!
  • Contributions are more than welcome (see buttons at the top right of the page).

💡 In this guide you’ll familiarize yourself with key terms and learn the basics of how HELIX works.

For creators, HELIX consists of two primary components: The Client and Server.#

  • The Client is what every regular HELIX player downloads and plays.
  • The Server is what Clients connect to and run on.

A World consists of Assets and Packages.#

  • Assets are cooked Unreal Engine files (levels, static/skeletal meshes, animations, blueprints, audio, etc.).
  • Packages are Lua script files that run on the client or server or both, as well as any files related to UI.

Technical Overview (Diagram)#

architecture.jpg

Definitions#

  • A CLIENT is a player’s local installation of HELIX.

    • Players will install HELIX Client through the HELIX Launcher
    • The client requires a local storage, where ASSETS, PACKAGES and other files are downloaded to and stored
    • CLIENTS will run on different resolutions, hardware and settings. All this shall be considered when designing ASSETS and WORLDS

  • A SERVER is a running instance of a WORLD.

    • Multiple players will connect to a SERVER and play together
    • The SERVER maintains a state of the WORLD that is shared with all connected CLIENTS
    • Multiple SERVERS of the same WORLD can exist, although typically there is only one server.

  • A WORLD is an experience built by a creator. It is the organizational bundle, which combines MAP, ASSETS and PACKAGES into a playable experience.

    • A WORLD supports multiple ASSETS
    • A WORLD features one MAP
    • A WORLD loads at least one PACKAGE

  • An ASSET is a bundle combining one or more 3D-Objects, Images or other media files.

    • An ASSET is downloaded to a CLIENT’s local storage
      • It is downloaded when a CLIENT connects to a SERVER requesting a particular ASSET.
        📝 NOTE: if an ASSET is supported in multiple servers, a CLIENT will only download it once
      • There are HELIX-Assets built into the CLIENT. If these ASSETS are used in a world, they are already available and won't be downloaded.

  • A MAP is a special type of ASSET and provides the landscape of a world, where players can navigate their characters.

  • A PACKAGE is essentially source code defining the mechanics of a WORLD and consists of the following:

    • SERVER logic code, runs on the server and is synchronized to all clients.
    • CLIENT logic code, which is run on each individual client and not synchronized.

  • The HUB is the heart of the platform and allows creators to manage their creations.

    • In Creations you can manage WORLDS, ITEMS, ASSETS and PACKAGES.

    - In the Vault a creator can explore published Add-ons and then use them in the worlds.

  • After reading this concepts, the development can start using the following links: