---
description: Designing Dynamic Scenarios with Runtime Spawner
---

# Putting it all together

## Overview

The **power of Runtime Spawner** comes from combining three systems:

1. **Runtime Spawner** – the foundation. Handles normal enemy spawning (randoms, waves, zones).
2. **Spawn Director** – controls _pacing_ via Intensity Profiles. Escalates or calms pressure.
3. **Special Encounter Manager** – injects high-impact moments (special enemies, minibosses).

Together, these systems create adaptive, replayable encounters where pacing and threats feel _directed_ — much like **Left 4 Dead’s AI Director**, **GTFO’s mission waves**, or **Payday’s special forces spawns**.

***

## Core Loop

The flow of decisions can be summarized like this:

```
[SpawnDirector sets pacing]
      ↓
[Runtime Spawner emits regular enemies at tuned rate]
      ↓
[SpecialEncounterManager checks rules]
      ↓
[Special enemies spawn under specific conditions]
      ↓
[Players experience a dynamic mix of baseline + spikes]
```

***

## Example Scenarios

**1. Left 4 Dead – Rolling Pressure with Specials**

* **Spawner**: baseline zombie trickle
  * Global spawn window: 3–6s
  * Alive cap: 15
* **Director**: intensity steps escalate over time
  * Step 0: Calm → 5 alive cap, long spawn windows
  * Step 1: Escalation → 10 alive cap, shorter windows
  * Step 2: Finale → 20 alive cap, rapid spawns
* **Specials**: rare threats injected periodically
  * Flanker (Hunter): appears if HP < 70%, step 1+
  * Pinner (Smoker): requires no LOS, long cooldown
  * Tank: cooldown 180s, pressure > 50, step 2 only

Result: A constantly shifting mix of baseline zombies and surprise specials that adapt to player state.

***

**2. GTFO – Timed Waves + Pressure Specials**

* **Spawner**: waves triggered by alarms or objectives
  * Wave rate multiplier: scaled by profile step
* **Director**: _AutoByTime_
  * Every 60s, step escalates
* **Specials**: triggered when pressure spikes
  * Giants spawn only if many enemies are already alive
  * Sleepers spawn at long distance, require no LOS

Result: Waves build tension on alarms, and specials ensure punishment if players take too long.

***

**3. Payday – Specials as Counters**

* **Spawner**: constant baseline cops
* **Director**: step progression tied to objectives
  * Step 0: Break-in = low intensity
  * Step 1: Bag carry = higher intensity
  * Step 2: Escape = peak pressure
* **Specials**: tactical counters
  * Cloaker: appears when a player strays > 20m from group
  * Bulldozer: HP > 50% and pressure high
  * Shield: spawns tagged `"Frontline"` zones

Result: Specials act as _role disruptors_, forcing the team to adapt mid-heist.

***

## Design Tips

* **Use Director for the baseline curve**\
  – How much pressure should players _feel_ at each stage?
* **Layer Specials sparingly**\
  – Specials work best when rare, surprising, and conditional.
* **Mix step ranges + cooldowns**\
  – This prevents “stacking” and keeps pacing varied.
* **Experiment with tags**\
  – Spawn tags let you design _roles_ for specials: flanks, ranged threats, boss zones.

***

## Takeaway

By combining these three systems, you can design encounters that:

* Escalate over time without manual scripting
* Respond to player health/pressure
* Mix baseline enemies with rare but memorable specials

This is the foundation of **emergent scenario design** — and can be reused across survival, horde, wave-defense, and co-op shooters.
