Third Person Controller – Humanoid Basics

Kinematic Movement and Character Framework

Humanoid Basics is a framework designed for the development of third-person games in Unity. At its core, the system utilizes a kinematic character controller intended to provide smooth movement and camera behavior. Originally modeled after the style of controllers found in GTA III, the package emphasizes a straightforward setup process, allowing users to configure both player characters and NPCs with a one-click setup tool.

The movement set includes standard locomotion such as walking, running, crouching, and jumping, alongside more specialized actions. Characters can climb and swim, providing versatility for environmental interaction. The camera system includes built-in collision detection to prevent it from clipping through geometry, maintaining a consistent third-person perspective during gameplay.

Combat Systems and Weapon Integration

The package includes a collection of six weapon prefabs and a dedicated shooting system. Combat mechanics are supported by specific aiming features, such as the ability to lean while aiming and the option to switch camera sides for better visibility. Melee combat has been refined to ensure that players can reliably damage AI entities within the scene.

To handle character defeat or physical impacts, the framework features an automatic ragdoll system. This system is designed to handle various humanoid configurations, including fixes for instances where a humanoid model might lack toe bones, ensuring the physical simulation remains stable across different character rigs.

Custom Humanoid AI and Pathfinding

The AI system in Humanoid Basics is built to mirror the abilities of the player character. Humanoid NPCs can utilize the same locomotion set, including climbing and swimming, and are capable of jumping when necessary. Unlike standard Unity implementations that rely on NavMesh Agents, this framework uses a custom implementation for its A* pathfinding, utilizing NavMesh Obstacles instead.

Combat capabilities for AI include the ability to engage in shooting mechanics against players or other NPCs. The AI is also programmed to interact with the environment by picking up weapons from the floor and replenishing their ammunition. These behaviors are designed to function “out of the box” with default values provided for NPC setups.

Technical Updates for Unity 6

The framework has been updated to support Unity 6 (6000.3.1f1) and integrates the new Unity Input System. This update brings default support for game controllers and addresses previous performance issues such as jitter and animation inconsistencies. The codebase has been optimized for improved ragdoll performance and general efficiency.

The package is compatible across major rendering pipelines, including the Built-in Render Pipeline, Universal Render Pipeline (URP), and High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP). It also includes a template with necessary animations and custom editors to streamline the development workflow. Recent updates indicate the framework is being prepared for future integration with dedicated vehicle systems.

Humanoid Basics is best suited for developers who require a kinematic alternative to physics-based controllers and who want an AI system that avoids the limitations of standard NavMesh Agents while maintaining parity with player movement abilities.