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# 3.3 Shops

Shops in ARL are prefab-driven. The best workflow is to inherit from the built-in vendor prefabs so you keep compatibility with framework updates and get a map marker out of the box.

# Recommended workflow (inherit)

  • Base vendors (for custom shops)

    • ArmaReforgerLife/Prefabs/Characters/NPC/Vendors/ARL_Vendor_Base.et (items)
    • ArmaReforgerLife/Prefabs/Characters/NPC/Vendors/ARL_Vendor_Vehicle_Base.et (vehicles)

  • Ready-made vendors (quick start)

    • Examples like ARL_Vendor_General_Store.et already exist.You can inherit from these and only tweak the config.

Why inherit?
Your vendor stays separate from core prefabs while still receiving compatibility from upstream changes. The vendor already includes a MapMarkerComponent.

# Tip

Create a Vendors layer in your subscene and place all vendors there. Keep any spawner helpers as children of the vendor so they move together.

# Steps to set up (existing/ready-made vendor)

  1. In Resource Browser, inherit from a ready-made vendor (e.g., ARL_Vendor_General_Store.et) into your addon.
  2. Place your inherited prefab in the world and position it.
  3. (Optional) Adjust the MapMarkerComponent title/icon.
  4. Open the Shop Component on the vendor and assign/tweak its Shop Config.
  5. (Optional) Add spawner children (see “Spawners” below).
  6. Save and test (Play-in-Editor).

# Steps to set up (custom vendor from base)

  1. Inherit a new prefab from:
    • Items: ARL_Vendor_Base.et
    • Vehicles: ARL_Vendor_Vehicle_Base.et
  2. Place your inherited vendor in the world.
  3. Assign a Shop Config (create one if needed).
  4. (Optional) Add spawner children (see below).
  5. Save and test.

# Spawners (optional but recommended)

Add these as children of the vendor:

  • Items spawn point:
    ArmaReforgerLife/Prefabs/MP/Spawning/ARL_Spawner.et

  • Vehicle spawn point (for vehicle vendors):
    ArmaReforgerLife/Prefabs/MP/Spawning/ARL_VehicleSpawner.et

  • (Optional) Preview camera:
    ArmaReforgerLife/Prefabs/MP/Spawning/ARL_CameraSpawner.et

Behavior

  • If no item spawner is present on an item vendor, purchased items go directly to inventory.
  • Vehicle vendors should have a vehicle spawner where vehicles appear.

# Shop Config (what to fill in)

ARL_ShopConfig

  • Shop Name – Displayed in the UI.
  • Trade Type – Buy / Sell / Buy & Sell.
  • Bulk Transactions Allowed – Allow quantity > 1.
  • Accessibility → Allowed Jobs – Job names with access (leave empty = public).
  • Categories – Tabs in the UI:
    • Name – Tab label (e.g., “Electronics”).
    • Items – Entries within the tab:
      • Resource Name – The .et prefab to sell.
      • Max Buy Amount – Per-purchase cap.

Notes

  • Prices come from your ARL_ItemConfig (by resource/variant).
    If an item isn’t defined there, it appears as $0.

# Testing

  • Open the shop, switch tabs, confirm items.
  • Buy a single item/vehicle and check:
    • Inventory shop → item appears in inventory, or
    • Spawner shop → item/vehicle appears at the spawner.
  • If selling is enabled, sell an item and confirm money changes.

# Quick checklist

  • You inherited from ARL_Vendor_Base / ARL_Vendor_Vehicle_Base (or a ready-made vendor).
  • Shop Config assigned with at least one Category and Item.
  • Items exist in ARL_ItemConfig (to avoid $0).
  • Spawner child positioned correctly (required for vehicles, optional for items).
  • Map marker set (title/icon) if desired.
  • Saved subscene → play test buy/sell.

# Troubleshooting

  • $0 price → Add the item to ARL_ItemConfig with a proper definition/variant.
  • Nothing appears → Check spawner placement; for inventory path, check free inventory space.
  • No access → Verify Allowed Jobs (or leave empty for public).