Hands-On Usage
activate_shine_on_focus is commonly used in mod scenarios where dynamic guidance is needed to direct player attention to specific focus nodes. For example, after completing a prerequisite task, you can use the shine effect to highlight the next recommended focus node, enhancing player experience and narrative pacing. Note that this effect only displays hints in debug mode; in officially released mods, it primarily serves as a visual aid.
country_event = {
id = my_mod.1
option = {
name = my_mod.1.a
# After event completion, highlight the next recommended focus for the player
activate_shine_on_focus = GER_prioritize_economic_growth
}
}
Synergy
[has_completed_focus](/wiki/trigger/has_completed_focus): After verifying that a prerequisite focus has been completed, activate the shine effect to ensure the highlighted focus node unlocks logically within the progression flow and won't trigger ineffectively on already-completed nodes.
[deactivate_shine_on_focus](/wiki/effect/deactivate_shine_on_focus): Use in conjunction with activation to promptly disable the shine effect after the player selects the target focus or when conditions change, preventing unnecessary highlight remnants on the UI.
[complete_national_focus](/wiki/effect/complete_national_focus): When forcibly completing a focus through script, the shine effect should be removed from that focus beforehand, as completed focuses cannot maintain an active shine state.
[focus_progress](/wiki/trigger/focus_progress): Can be combined with focus progress checks to trigger the shine effect when a focus reaches a specific research stage, guiding player attention to important nodes nearing completion.
Common Pitfalls
- Using on already-completed focuses: If the target focus has already been completed,
activate_shine_on_focus will have no effect. Beginners often forget to guard the call with [has_completed_focus](/wiki/trigger/has_completed_focus) verification beforehand, resulting in silent logic failures that are difficult to debug.
- Forgetting to clean up the shine effect: If you fail to call
[deactivate_shine_on_focus](/wiki/effect/deactivate_shine_on_focus) to disable the shine effect at an appropriate time after activation, it will persist on the focus tree. The highlight will continue displaying even after the player has finished the related progression, causing visual confusion or misleading guidance.