[PlayFab] Generating IDs and Logging In [Unity]

Version used in this article

PlayFab SDK: 2.86.2005 18

Introduction

PlayFab has many features, but the first thing you need to do to use them is log in.

Broadly speaking, PlayFab offers two login methods.

This is the simplest login method.

Because the user does not need to enter any information, the game can handle login automatically.

That means you do not end up with things like “Logging in is such a hassle, I might as well quit.” (important)

The downside is that if the player loses the device, recovery becomes difficult.


using UnityEngine;
using PlayFab;
using PlayFab.ClientModels;

// Sample implementation using LoginWithCustomID
public void Login (string id) {
	bool shouldCreateAccount = string.IsNullOrEmpty(id);

	PlayFabClientAPI.LoginWithCustomID(
		new LoginWithCustomIDRequest {
			CustomId = shouldCreateAccount ? CreateNewId() : id,
			CreateAccount = shouldCreateAccount
		},
		result => {
			// Success handling
			Debug.Log("Login successfully");
		},
		error => {
			// Failure handling
			Debug.LogError(error.GenerateErrorReport());
		}
	);
}

// Generate a unique ID
string CreateNewId () {
	return System.Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
}

These are login methods that let players recover their account if something happens to their device.

However, it requires the player to provide information such as the following:

Authenticate through an external provider (Facebook, iOS, Google, and so on)
Enter a username or email address and a password

For that reason, if you ask the player to use one of these login methods right after installing the game, you risk hearing, “Logging in is such a hassle, I might as well quit.” Be careful about when you introduce them.

If you combine them with anonymous login, you can let players start anonymously and then prompt them to add a login method that supports account recovery later. (See: Quickstart for account linking)

You can also log in through third-party services using the following methods:

LoginWithKongregate
LoginWithSteam
LoginWithTwitch
LoginWithFacebook (separate SDK required)
LoginWithGoogleAccount (separate SDK required)
LoginWithWindowsHello (separate SDK required)

Closing Thoughts

At the moment, I am still in the middle of introducing PlayFab into a project and learning as I go.

If I have made any mistakes, I would appreciate it if you let me know.

Introduction

Two Types of Login: Anonymous Login and Login Methods That Support Account Recovery

Anonymous login

Functions for anonymous login

Example implementation of anonymous login

Login Methods That Support Account Recovery

Functions for Login Methods That Support Account Recovery

Closing Thoughts

References

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