Enemy Skin Manager (ALPHA - v0.1.1)

⚠️ WARNING: EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ⚠️

• THIS IS AN UNSTABLE ALPHA VERSION INTENDED ONLY FOR TESTING WITH 'Colorful Enemy Variants' v0.8.0!
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CREATE YOUR OWN SKIN PACKS USING THIS VERSION! The process is overly complex, undocumented, and completely unreasonable for external use.
• THE API (HOW MODS INTERACT WITH THIS MANAGER) WILL BE COMPLETELY REWRITTEN USING SCRIPTABLEOBJECTS. This current system will be entirely removed.
• This version is ONLY intended as a temporary dependency for the 'Colorful Enemy Variants' mod by JustSomeDevGuy.

Description

This is the core framework required to enable custom enemy skins in the game. It handles loading and applying skin data provided by skin packs. No extra prefabs, this won't effect spawn pool.

THIS IS AN ALPHA. WAIT FOR THE STABLE RELEASE BEFORE USING AS A BASE FOR YOUR MODS.

Installation

Mod Manager (Recommended)

1. Use Gale or Thunderstore Mod Manager.
2. Install via the manager by searching for EnemySkinManager.
3. Ensure you install the exact version required by the skin packs you use (currently only for ColorfulEnemyVariants).

Manual

1. Install BepInEx for the game.
2. Place EnemySkinManager.dll into your BepInEx/plugins folder.
3. Install skin packs that require this manager (currently only 'ColorfulEnemyVariants').

Known Issues / Limitations (Alpha Version)

• Highly Unstable API: The internal code and how skin packs would register skins is temporary and subject to complete change.
• No Public Documentation: The current system is not documented for external use.
• No Skin Persistence: If an enemy despawns and respawns, it may get a different random skin instead of retaining its previous one.
• No Performance Caching: Assets (materials, textures) are not cached or pre-loaded, which might impact performance when many enemies with custom skins spawn.
• Networking: Skin synchronization in multiplayer is not implemented.
• Limited Features: Lacks support for custom particles, models, audio, UI, etc.
• Requires manual skin registration via code (will be replaced by ScriptableObjects).
• Expect bugs.

Planned Features (For Stable Release - Subject to Change)

• EnemySkinKit: A Unity package/tool to significantly simplify the creation and bundling of skin packs.
• Expanded Skin Customization: Potential support for overriding/adding particles, simple model variations, or audio cues through the skin pack system.
• Enhanced Configuration: More robust and user-friendly options for managing skins and their behaviors.
• Focus on Stability, Performance, and a Clear, Documented API for modders.

For Modders

SERIOUSLY, DO NOT TRY TO CREATE SKIN PACKS AGAINST THIS ALPHA VERSION. It is not feasible, documented, or stable, It's messy. Please wait for the official, stable, ScriptableObject-based release. Your time investment in using this version will be wasted when it is replaced.