If you are a game developer working within the Unity engine, you have likely encountered the work of The Hedgehog Team. Known primarily for their industry-standard input solutions, this development group has provided essential tools for mobile game creators for years. However, finding their official support channels or documentation can sometimes be a challenge if their primary web portals are undergoing maintenance.
Understanding the Hedgehog Team Portfolio
The Hedgehog Team is a group of developers who specialized in creating plugins for the Unity Asset Store. Their tools are designed to bridge the gap between complex coding requirements and intuitive game design. By providing pre-built systems for handling user input, they allowed developers to focus on gameplay rather than the technical hurdles of screen-to-world interactions.
Their most famous contribution to the developer community is EasyTouch. This asset became a staple for mobile developers because it simplified the process of detecting gestures like swipes, pinches, and multi-finger taps. For many years, it was considered a must-have tool for anyone publishing games on iOS or Android.
How to Access Documentation and Files
Many users search for The Hedgehog Team when they need documentation for an asset they have already purchased. If you find that their official forum or website is currently inaccessible, there are several reliable ways to find the information you need to keep your project moving forward.
Check the Local Asset Folder
One of the most overlooked resources is the documentation included directly within the asset download. When you import a package like EasyTouch into your Unity project, it typically includes a documentation folder. Look for PDF files or HTML files within the Assets/HedgehogTeam directory in your project window.
The Unity Asset Store Page
The Unity Asset Store serves as a secondary hub for information. Even if the developer’s private forum is down, the product page often contains updated release notes, compatibility warnings, and a “Version History” tab. This can help you determine if the version you are using is compatible with your current version of Unity (such as 2021 LTS or 2022 LTS).
Utilize Community Archives
Because The Hedgehog Team’s assets were so popular, the broader Unity community has documented many solutions to common problems. Websites like the Unity Forum or Stack Overflow contain years of archived discussions regarding EasyTouch and other Hedgehog Team tools. Searching for specific error messages or function names often yields faster results than waiting for official support.
Contacting the Development Team
If you have a technical issue that cannot be solved through documentation, you may need to contact the developers directly. Historically, The Hedgehog Team has requested that users provide a valid invoice number from the Unity Asset Store when seeking support. This helps them verify your purchase and prioritize legitimate customers.
- Prepare your Invoice: Locate the email receipt from your purchase or find the invoice number in your Unity Asset Store account history.
- Be Specific: When emailing support, include your Unity version, the version of the asset you are using, and a clear description of the bug or question.
- Check for Updates: Before reaching out, always ensure you have updated the asset to the latest version available in the Unity Package Manager.
Troubleshooting Common Input Issues
Most developers seeking The Hedgehog Team assets are looking to resolve issues with touch controls. If you are struggling with input detection, there are a few standard steps you can take to troubleshoot the system without needing external documentation.
First, ensure that an EventSystem is present in your scene hierarchy. Many input assets rely on Unity’s built-in event system to process raycasts and touches. If this object is missing, your gestures will not be registered.
Second, check for UI blocking. If you have a full-screen UI element that is set to “Raycast Target,” it may be intercepting touches before they reach the Hedgehog Team scripts. Disabling “Raycast Target” on non-interactive UI elements often solves “non-responsive” input issues.
Considering Modern Alternatives
While The Hedgehog Team provided foundational tools for many years, the Unity ecosystem has evolved. If you find that older assets are no longer being updated for the latest Unity versions, it may be time to explore modern alternatives that offer similar functionality.
The Unity Input System Package
Unity now provides an official “Input System” package that is designed to handle cross-platform input natively. While it has a steeper learning curve than EasyTouch, it is future-proof and integrated directly into the engine’s core. It supports touch, controllers, and keyboard/mouse inputs through a unified workflow.
Lean Touch
For those who prefer the ease of use provided by The Hedgehog Team, Lean Touch is a popular alternative available on the Asset Store. It is frequently updated and offers a wide range of gesture detection scripts that are easy to implement without writing extensive code.
TouchScript
TouchScript is another robust, open-source library for handling complex gestures. It is particularly useful for developers working on large-scale touch displays or interactive installations where multi-user input is required.
Maintaining Your Development Workflow
Working with third-party assets requires a proactive approach to documentation. Whenever you integrate a tool from a developer like The Hedgehog Team, it is a good practice to save a local copy of any online documentation or forum threads that are vital to your project. This ensures that your development process remains uninterrupted even if the developer’s website goes offline.
By utilizing local files, community forums, and keeping your invoice information handy, you can continue to use these powerful tools effectively. If you are starting a new project, take the time to evaluate whether to continue with legacy assets or transition to Unity’s modern input solutions for better long-term stability.
Conclusion
Finding support for The Hedgehog Team and their suite of Unity assets is straightforward once you know where to look. By checking your local project files and utilizing the Unity Asset Store’s built-in resources, you can overcome most technical hurdles. If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring our other articles on game development optimization and asset management to further streamline your creative process.