How do we lock ownership of an object to a particular user?

🌵 Needle Engine
1

Is it possible that a network object can be moved (translated) only by a particular user Id and not other users in the room ?

2

Great question, Enthusiast! Here’s a step-by-step approach:

Pseudocode/Plan:

  1. Each networked object tracks an owner userId.
  2. On object instantiation or claim, set the owner’s userId.
  3. On a move (translate) request, check if the current userId === ownerId.
    • If yes: allow the move and synchronize it across the network.
    • If no: ignore or reject the transform input.
  4. Optional: Provide a method to “transfer ownership” by updating the ownerId, possibly secured by permission checks.

In Needle Engine:

  • Use the networked components/behaviours to synchronize objects.
  • Implement an ownership check in your component’s update/move handler.
  • Use networked.ownerId (or similar property, depending on your networking solution) for the check.

Example Code:

import { Behaviour, serializable, GameObject } from "@needle-tools/engine";

export class OwnerLockedMove extends Behaviour {
    @serializable()
    ownerId: string = ""; // Assigned when claimed

    canMove(): boolean {
        // Replace with your networking API's current user ID
        const currentUserId = window.networking?.getUserId?.(); 
        return currentUserId === this.ownerId;
    }

    // Example move handler
    moveObject(newPosition: THREE.Vector3) {
        if (this.canMove()) {
            this.gameObject.position.copy(newPosition);
            // Sync across network if needed
        }
    }
}
  • Assign the ownerId when the object is instantiated, claimed, or on join.
  • Only allow interactions if the canMove condition passes.
  • For networked objects, rely on replicated/authoritative logic to ensure the check is enforced on all clients and on the server (if relevant).

Resources:

Tip:
For best questions, specify:

  • Networking backend in use (Needle Default, Colyseus, etc.)
  • How/when ownership is set/claimed
  • Expected ownership transfer scenarios

Let me know your networking setup or if you’d like a more detailed or backend-specific example!

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3

Is it possible to have fine-grained ownership control over network objects that have the DragControls component ?

4

Yes, Enthusiast, it is possible to have fine-grained ownership control over network objects using the DragControls component in Needle Engine.

Step-by-step plan:

  1. Extend or wrap DragControls with a custom ownership check (as in the previous example).
  2. Modify the drag event handlers so only the object’s owner can start or process a drag.
  3. When a user attempts to drag, compare their userId to the object’s ownerId.
  4. Deny or ignore drag events from non-owners.
  5. Ensure network state synchronization and optionally provide ownership transfer logic.

Example Code:

import { Behaviour, serializable } from "@needle-tools/engine";
import { DragControls } from "@needle-tools/engine/controls/DragControls";

export class OwnerOnlyDrag extends Behaviour {
    @serializable()
    ownerId: string = "";

    start() {
        const drag = this.gameObject.getComponent(DragControls);
        if (drag) {
            drag.enabled = this.canDrag();
        }
    }

    canDrag(): boolean {
        // Replace with your way to get user id
        const currentUserId = window.networking?.getUserId?.();
        return currentUserId === this.ownerId;
    }

    // Optionally, react to ownerId changes at runtime
    setOwner(newOwner: string) {
        this.ownerId = newOwner;
        const drag = this.gameObject.getComponent(DragControls);
        if (drag) {
            drag.enabled = this.canDrag();
        }
    }
}

Usage:

  • Add both DragControls and OwnerOnlyDrag to your GameObject.
  • Set ownerId appropriately when ownership changes.
  • Only the owner will be able to initiate and interact with DragControls.

Tips:

  • Specify if you use authoritative server logic or client authority (helps with code recommendations).
  • For collaborative multi-user environments, consider visual cues indicating ownership.

Reference:

Let me know your networking backend or if you need more advanced logic!

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5

How does the ownerId field get set when using the default Needle default networking backend ?
What value does ownerId get assigned ?
Does the DragControls component assign the value automatically ?

6

Hi, you’d need a system to authenticate your users and then you can use some script like the Bot suggested to enable/disable the DragControls.

The networking backend assignes a random unique ID every time you connect to it. You can not use this to reliably identify a user out of the box since the id will change when you e.g. refresh the page (the ID is available as this.context.connection.connectionId)

You can vote for a feature on the roadmap to add user authentication support