Unity Level Selection Optimization | Reusable Functions, PlayerPrefs & UI Flow Part 97

Описание: In this Unity tutorial, we optimize the level selection system by refactoring button logic into reusable functions, fixing runtime initialization issues, and properly managing UI canvas flow between Tap-to-Start, Level Selection, and In-Game screens.

Previously, the OnButtonClicked logic could not be reused because it depended on the clicked GameObject. In this video, we solve that problem cleanly by introducing a new function called UpdateLevelSelectionPanel(int levelIndex). This allows the same logic to be reused both when a button is clicked and when the level selection UI is initialized at runtime.

What We Fix and Improve in This Tutorial

We start by identifying a major issue:

OnButtonClicked() could not be reused

Start() had no reference to the clicked button

Level selection could not auto-initialize correctly

Refactoring for Reusability

To fix this:

We extract the core logic from OnButtonClicked

Create a new method:
UpdateLevelSelectionPanel(int levelNumber)

Move all parsing, UI updates, and validation logic into this method

Call it from both:

Button click events

Start() method during runtime population

This makes the system cleaner, reusable, and scalable.

Runtime Initialization Using PlayerPrefs

Next, we:

Read LevelsCleared from PlayerPrefs at startup

If no value exists, it defaults to 0

This correctly locks the first level by default

As progress increases, the system:

Automatically selects the correct level

Updates the UI without user interaction

This ensures the Level Selection Panel always reflects player progress.

Fixing Default Level Behavior

You’ll see how:

Level 1 appears locked when no progress exists

Clearing Level 1 unlocks Level 2 automatically

Changing PlayerPrefs values updates the UI instantly

No manual clicking is required for initialization

Proper UI Flow (Tap to Start → Level Selection → Gameplay)

We then clean up UI flow by:

Adding a Level Selection Canvas reference inside LevelManager

Creating a new function:

ShowLevelSelectionCanvas()

Replacing the old ShowInGameCanvas() call

Ensuring:

Tap-to-Start opens Level Selection

Level Selection opens Gameplay

Level Selection hides when the game starts

Fixing Serialized Field Errors

A common Unity mistake appears:

Renaming a variable breaks serialized references

Causes runtime “not assigned” errors

We fix this by:

Reassigning references correctly

Verifying all public GameObjects in the Inspector

Testing UI transitions step-by-step

Camera & Character Visibility Fix

We also solve a visual bug:

Random characters visible during gameplay

Caused by main camera rendering inactive objects

Solution:

Disable unused character GameObjects

Ensure only the selected character is active

Result: clean, correct in-game visuals

End Result

By the end of this tutorial:

Level selection initializes automatically

Code is modular and reusable

UI transitions are clean and predictable

PlayerPrefs logic is reliable

The system is ready for:

Level unlock on finish

Briefing text content

Progression expansion

In the next tutorial, we’ll:

Unlock levels when a level is completed

Add briefing text content

Finalize the full level progression loop