Asset ReferencesGame Creator 2 Module

Asset References for Game Creator 2

Centralized asset lookup and streaming workflows for smarter Game Creator 2 projects.

Asset References product overview showing the database window

#Why Asset References?

Dragging the same project asset into every Game Creator instruction works at first, but it becomes fragile when assets move, variants grow, or teams need a shared naming language. Asset References lets designers register assets once, give them readable Reference IDs, and then choose those IDs from type-safe Game Creator selectors.

The normal workflow stays plug-and-play: use Direct references for serialized project assets, switch selected entries to Streamed when Addressables-backed loading is needed, and keep the same selectors, variables, events, and runtime APIs around both modes.

#Main Features

FeatureWhat it gives your project
Central repositoryA single Game Creator Settings panel for registered assets, IDs, metadata, and validation.
Direct and Streamed modesSynchronous direct references by default, Addressables-backed streaming when memory control matters.
Typed selectorsGame Creator property fields only show compatible registered assets.
Metadata and tagsOrganize references by display name, category, tags, notes, enabled state, and type hints.
Runtime APIResolve assets from C# with AssetReferences.Get<T>, TryGet<T>, async loading, preload, and release.
GC2 integrationProperties, Conditions, Events, Instructions, and local/global Asset Reference variables.
Validation toolsValidate IDs, missing assets, duplicates, scene object references, streamed metadata, and serialized usages.

#Quick Workflow

  1. Open Game Creator Settings > Asset References.
  2. Select a project asset and click Add Asset Reference in the Inspector.
  3. Confirm the generated Reference ID, category, tags, and notes.
  4. In a Game Creator property field, choose Asset References/Asset Reference.
  5. Pick the registered reference from the typed selector.
  6. Run Validate before shipping or after large content changes.

#Documentation Sections

Getting StartedCreate the first direct reference and select it from a GC2 field. Database ManagerUnderstand the repository, filters, metadata, snippets, and actions. Register & SelectUse Inspector buttons, context menus, bulk generation, dropdowns, Manual ID, and variables. Streaming & AddressablesConfigure Streamed entries, sync metadata, preload, and release. Game Creator IntegrationUse Properties, Conditions, Events, Instructions, and Name Variables. Runtime APIResolve, preload, release, and observe references from custom C#. Validation & UsageCheck repository health and inspect serialized usages. ExamplesCopy direct, streamed, variable, scene, and visual-scripting patterns. Best PracticesUse stable IDs, clean metadata, and sensible load modes. TroubleshootingFix common selector, validation, build, and Addressables issues.

#Simple Example

Register an AudioClip as audio-hit-impact. In the standard Game Creator Play Sound Effect instruction, open the Audio Clip selector, choose Asset References/Asset Reference, and select audio-hit-impact. If the file later moves in the Project window, the instruction still points at the same registered ID.