Game/Frame Lifecycle

In contrast to event driven scripting like Roblox, games on All Out use a frame lifecycle model that allows you to run code when the game starts, each frame, and at the end of a session.

All Out games run on a simple lifecycle: some callbacks happen once at startup, and some happen every frame.

You’ll implement these callbacks either:

• Globally (top-level ao_* procs in main.csl), or

• On components (methods like ao_update inside Player or your own Component subclasses)

If you’re looking for the “template” main.csl, see Getting Started with CSL.

Global lifecycle (scene-wide)

These are top-level procs in main.csl:

ao_before_scene_load

Runs before the scene is created. This is where you typically register “global definitions”:

• Item definitions (inventory system)

• Currencies (economy system)

• Global config values/constants

ao_start

Runs once when the scene starts.

Common uses:

• Spawn runtime entities/prefabs

• Initialize global systems

• Read game-wide save data

ao_update(dt)

Runs every frame.

Common uses:

• Game timers, wave managers

• Spawning logic that depends on time

• Server-authoritative game rules

ao_late_update(dt)

Runs every frame after ao_update.

Common uses:

• UI that depends on final positions/state for the frame

• “Cleanup” work after updates

Component lifecycle (per-entity)

Components (including Player) can implement:

• ao_start()

• ao_update(dt)

• ao_late_update(dt)

• ao_end()

Example:

Orbiter :: class : Component {
    ao_start :: method() {
        // init
    }

    ao_update :: method(dt: float) {
        // per-frame behavior
    }

    ao_end :: method() {
        // cleanup (when destroyed)
    }
}

Where to put code: a rule of thumb

• Per-player state/logic: put it on Player (see Adding Player Logic)

• Reusable entity behaviors: put them on custom components (see Entities and Components)

• Global coordination / rules: put it in the global lifecycle (ao_* procs)

Server vs local

All Out syncs gameplay state from server to clients automatically, but you still want to keep cosmetic-only work local.

Use:

• is_local_or_server() for gameplay UI + input handling (runs on server + local client)

• is_local() for cosmetic UI/effects (runs only on the local client)