# Messages
## What are Messages?
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### Messages
Messages are signals used to create a flow of logic between players, objects, and quests. An action triggers a message to be sent, leading to one or more outcomes.
Behaviours and components are bundled logic designed to listen for and broadcast messages.
**Example:**
A player's action of pressing the **E** key in front of a door sends the message *Interact*, and the door opening is the outcome.
### Tags
Tags are identifiers attached to objects, making it easy to send a message precisely when needed.
**Example:**
Say you want to change the weather to a specific setup, but have multiple weather objects in the same area that are listening for the same message. Set the message to go to **SpecificTagsInRange**, add the tag you want to send it to, and apply the tag to the Weather Switcher object you want to receive the message.
### Using Messages
Some behaviours and components listen for one or several messages to be received. Some allow one or several messages to be sent.
There are many ways to use Game Maker's logic tools to create one or more outcomes from an action. You can create short or long strings of events, and you can also create branching logic that gives players more choice or includes random events that influence other outcomes.
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{% tab title="Default Messages" %}
### Default Messages
Pressing the **E** key when standing next to an object sends the default message *Interact*.
When you apply a Door behaviour to an object, by default the object will listen for the message *Interact* and plays an open animation as an outcome.
If you open the **Message required** dropdown list in any behaviour or component, you'll see there are other default messages that exist in every Experience you create.
Some of these defaults are automatically bundled into an object's properties (along with default tags) when a behaviour or component is applied. This allows for fast functional gameplay.
Default tags and messages can be changed to create customised interactions and unique gameplay mechanics.
**Example:**
You can create factions of soldiers fighting in a battle by changing their **Tags to Attack** and applying the same tag on every object considered to be their enemy.
{% hint style="info" %}
Some default messages will need to be changed to customise your Experience logic.
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{% tab title="Special: Transitions/Controls" %}
### Special Messages with Arguments
Special messages with arguments are used to transition light, sound, and camera effects.
In the message dropdown box of a behaviour or component, select a special message with arguments (yellow text). A parameter will appear to customise the timing, colour, etc.
#### [Play Sound](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/components/audio/play-sound.md) Component
{% hint style="warning" %}
Uploading custom content for use with Video and Audio Streaming behaviours is limited to The Sandbox and select partners. These features are in development for public use.
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**Audio Pause** - Fade the audio it is playing to pause.\ **Audio Play** - Fade the audio it is **NOT** playing to play.\ **AudioStop** - Fade the audio it is playing to stop.\ **SoundVolume** - Set audio volume for an object to blend audio.
#### [Light](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/components/display/light.md) Component
**LightColor** - For a target object with Light Behaviour, fade between the current light setting to a colour chosen in the message's arguments.
#### [Post Process Effects](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/behaviours/visual/post-process-effects.md) Behaviour
**PostProcessFade** - For a target object with Post Process Effects Behaviour, fade between the current effects setting to the target object's setting.
#### [Weather Switcher](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/behaviours/visual/weather-switcher.md) Behaviour
**WeatherFade** - For an object with Weather Switcher Behavour, fade between the current weather setting to the target object's setting. Weather changes override defaults set in the [Gameplay](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/build-menus/top-bar/gameplay.md#ambiance) tab of the Gameplay menu.
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{% tab title="Special: Buffs/Debuffs" %}
### Buff/Debuff Messages with Arguments
There are five default messages available with blue text that are special messages with arguments that trigger buffs/debuffs:
* **Attack Power**
* **Damage Resistance**
* **Health**
* **Oxygen**
* **Speed**
Use positive or negative numbers to increase or decrease these values. Note that these do not stack, and oxygen and health do not exceed the maximum value.
{% hint style="danger" %}
Game Maker 0.9's new buff/debuff system replaced **Heal** and **Damage** messages.
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{% tab title="Custom Messages with Arguments" %}
### Custom Messages with Arguments
Any new message can be created as a normal message or a message with arguments. If you create an argument, you can send additional information with the message, set in the logic from which you send the message. You can also name the argument.
**Example: Collectable Objects Awarding Points** [**(Collect Points Rules Preset)**](/en/creator/game-maker/creative-guides/game-rules-guide/collect-points.md)
The message triggers a rule that awards players points, and each collectable object can specify a different amount of points in the argument to add to your score when the items are collected.
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{% hint style="info" %}
Messages can be directed in a variety of ways to customise logic. [**Learn more**](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/using-assets-and-objects/behaviour-and-component-parameters.md#creating-custom-messages)
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## Managing Messages
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By default, setting the message to ‘*none*’ is the same as setting a message to empty.
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{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Use Existing" %}
## Use an Existing Message
To use an existing Message in a behaviour or component's logic, click the **Message Required** dropdown and begin typing in the name of the message you wish to use. The list will populate with all the existing related messages. Click a message in the list to select it.
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{% tab title="Create Custom" %}
## Create a Custom Message
To create a new message to use in a behaviour or component's logic, click **ADD+** if no message is applied yet or click on the existing message.
This will open a dropdown list of existing messages. Begin typing the message you wish to add. Click the green text **ADD 'your message'** to apply it.
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{% tab title="Remove from Object" %}
## Remove a Message from an Object's Logic
To remove a message from a behaviour or component, click the **X** to the right of the message.
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{% tab title="Delete from List" %}
## Delete a Message from the Experience's Message List
In the top right corner of Game Maker, click on the gear icon to open **Settings**. There you will be able to access a list of all messages included in your Experience and delete any custom messages you've created.
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