How to Install it in Your Unity Project

After downloading GameCatalyst from the Asset Store, you’ll import it into your Unity project. Here’s the complete process:

Step 1: Import the package

1. Unity shows an “Import Unity Package” window
2. All items are checked by default — keep them all checked
3. Click “Import”
4. Unity imports the files to Assets/Plugins/Vexstorm Studios/GameCatalyst/
5. Wait for Unity to finish importing (progress bar in bottom-right)

Step 2: Open the Dashboard

1. In Unity’s menu bar, go to Tools → Vexstorm Studios → GameCatalyst → Dashboard
2. The GameCatalyst Dashboard window opens
3. You’ll see the Welcome tab with product information

Step 3: Run the installer

1. Click the Controls tab in the Dashboard
2. Click the Install button
3. The installer automatically detects your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
4. It validates that Python 3.10+ is installed
5. It creates the Central Installation Directory (CID) on your machine
6. It deploys Python servers, configuration files, and databases
7. It installs Python dependencies (this requires internet)
8. On Windows, it configures firewall rules (you’ll see a prompt — click “Allow”)
9. It verifies the installation completed successfully

The installation takes 1-3 minutes depending on your internet speed. You’ll see progress messages in the Dashboard’s Activity Log.

Step 4: Start the servers

1. After installation completes, click the Start button in the Controls tab
2. GameCatalyst launches the Discovery Server and Unity Instance Server
3. Watch the Triangle Trifecta status dots turn green (UIS, UIC, UAB)
4. The Progress Bar at the top shows: Installed → Discovery → Unity Instance (all green)

That’s it! GameCatalyst is now installed and running. You’re ready to connect an AI client.

What the installer does behind the scenes:

When you click Install, a lot happens automatically. The installer detects your operating system, validates your Python installation, creates the Central Installation Directory (CID), copies Python server files to the CID, installs Python package dependencies using pip, creates SQLite databases for session and plan storage, and on Windows, configures firewall rules for the server ports. All of this is logged in the Dashboard Activity Log so you can see progress in real time.

After installation — starting the servers:

Once the installer finishes, click the Start button. GameCatalyst launches servers in sequence: Discovery Server first, then the Engine Instance Server, then the Instance Client and API Bridge inside Unity. Watch the Triangle Trifecta in the Controls tab — three status dots that should all turn green. Green means healthy. If any dot stays red, check the Activity Log for error messages.

Verifying everything works:

The Progress Bar at the top of the Dashboard should show the first four stages lit up: Uninstalled, Installed, Discovery, and Unity Instance. The fifth stage (AI Client) lights up when you connect an AI client, which is covered in the next chapter. At this point, GameCatalyst is running and ready for an AI connection.