Execution Order & Best Practices

GES · Runtime API

The exact order GameEvent runs listeners, triggers, and chains, followed by patterns and pitfalls for listener cleanup, schedule handling, priority, conditions, and performance.

For programmers building reliable, high-performance event flow who want to avoid the common failure modes.

Knowing how GameEvent executes callbacks and manages event flow is the key to reliable, performant event-driven systems. This guide covers execution order, common patterns, pitfalls, and optimization strategies.

Execution Order

Visual Timeline

When myEvent.Raise() is called, execution follows this precise order:

myEvent.Raise() 🚀
      │
      ├── 1️⃣ Basic Listeners (FIFO Order)
      │      │
      │      ├─► OnUpdate() 📝
      │      │      ✓ Executed
      │      │
      │      └─► OnRender() 🎨
      │             ✓ Executed
      │
      ├── 2️⃣ Priority Listeners (High → Low)
      │      │
      │      ├─► [Priority 100] Critical() ⚡
      │      │      ✓ Executed First
      │      │
      │      ├─► [Priority 50] Normal() 📊
      │      │      ✓ Executed Second
      │      │
      │      └─► [Priority 0] LowPriority() 📌
      │             ✓ Executed Last
      │
      ├── 3️⃣ Conditional Listeners (Priority + Condition)
      │      │
      │      └─► [Priority 10] IfHealthLow() 💊
      │             │
      │             ├─► Condition Check: health < 20?
      │             │      ├─► ✅ True → Execute Listener
      │             │      └─► ❌ False → Skip Listener
      │             │
      │             └─► (Next conditional checked...)
      │
      ├── 4️⃣ Persistent Listeners (Cross-Scene)
      │      │
      │      └─► GlobalLogger() 📋
      │             ✓ Always Executes (DontDestroyOnLoad)
      │
      ├── 5️⃣ Trigger Events (Parallel - Fan Out) 🌟
      │      │
      │      ├─────► lightOnEvent.Raise() 💡
      │      │          (Executes independently)
      │      │
      │      ├─────► soundEvent.Raise() 🔊
      │      │          (Executes independently)
      │      │
      │      └─────► particleEvent.Raise() ✨
      │                 (Executes independently)
      │
      │      ⚠️ If one fails, others still execute
      │
      └── 6️⃣ Chain Events (Sequential - Strict Order) 🔗
             │
             └─► fadeOutEvent.Raise() 🌑
                    ✓ Success
                    │
                    ├─► ⏱️ Wait (duration/delay)
                    │
                    └─► loadSceneEvent.Raise() 🗺️
                           ✓ Success
                           │
                           ├─► ⏱️ Wait (duration/delay)
                           │
                           └─► fadeInEvent.Raise() 🌕
                                  ✓ Success
                                  
                                  🛑 If ANY step fails → Chain STOPS

Execution Characteristics

Stage	Pattern	Timing	Failure Behavior	Use Case
Basic Listeners	Sequential	Same frame, synchronous	Continue to next	Standard callbacks
Priority Listeners	Sequential (sorted)	Same frame, synchronous	Continue to next	Ordered processing
Conditional Listeners	Sequential (filtered)	Same frame, synchronous	Skip if false, continue	State-dependent logic
Persistent Listeners	Sequential	Same frame, synchronous	Continue to next	Cross-scene systems
Trigger Events	Parallel	Same frame, independent	Others unaffected	Side effects, notifications
Chain Events	Sequential	Multi-frame, blocking	Chain stops	Cutscenes, sequences

Key Differences Explained

Listeners (1-4)
Triggers (5)
Chains (6)

Characteristics:

Execute synchronously in the current frame
Run one after another in defined order
Each listener is independent
Failure in one listener doesn't stop others

Example:

healthEvent.AddListener(UpdateUI);           // Runs 1st
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(SaveGame, 100); // Runs 2nd (higher priority)
healthEvent.AddConditionalListener(ShowWarning, 
    health => health < 20);                  // Runs 3rd (if condition true)

healthEvent.Raise(15f);
// Order: SaveGame() → UpdateUI() → ShowWarning() (if health < 20)

Timeline:

🖼️ Frame 1024
🚀 healthEvent.Raise(15.0f)
│
├─► 💾 SaveGame()          ⏱️ 0.1ms
├─► 🖥️ UpdateUI()          ⏱️ 0.3ms
└─► ⚠️ ShowWarning()       ⏱️ 0.2ms
│
📊 Total Cost: 0.6ms | ⚡ Status: Synchronous (Same Frame)

Characteristics:

Execute in parallel (fan-out pattern)
All triggers fire independently
One trigger's failure doesn't affect others
Still synchronous, but logically parallel

Example:

// When boss dies, trigger multiple independent events
bossDefeatedEvent.AddTriggerEvent(stopBossMusicEvent, priority: 100);
bossDefeatedEvent.AddTriggerEvent(playVictoryMusicEvent, priority: 90);
bossDefeatedEvent.AddTriggerEvent(spawnLootEvent, priority: 50);
bossDefeatedEvent.AddTriggerEvent(showVictoryUIEvent, priority: 40);
bossDefeatedEvent.AddTriggerEvent(saveCheckpointEvent, priority: 10);

bossDefeatedEvent.Raise();
// All 5 events fire, sorted by priority, but independently
// If spawnLootEvent fails, others still execute

Timeline:

🖼️ Frame 2048
🚀 bossDefeatedEvent.Raise()
│
├─► 🚀 stopBossMusicEvent.Raise()     ✅ Success
├─► 🚀 playVictoryMusicEvent.Raise()  ✅ Success
├─► 🚀 spawnLootEvent.Raise()         ❌ Failed! (Exception Isolated)
├─► 🚀 showVictoryUIEvent.Raise()     ✅ Executed (Resilient)
└─► 🚀 saveCheckpointEvent.Raise()    ✅ Executed (Resilient)
│
📊 Result: 4/5 Success | 🛡️ Status: Fault-Tolerant (Isolated Failure)

Characteristics:

Execute sequentially with blocking
Strict order: A → B → C
Supports delays between steps
Entire chain stops if any step fails

Example:

// Cutscene sequence
cutsceneStartEvent.AddChainEvent(fadeOutEvent, delay: 0f, duration: 1f);
cutsceneStartEvent.AddChainEvent(hideUIEvent, delay: 0f, duration: 0.5f);
cutsceneStartEvent.AddChainEvent(playCutsceneEvent, delay: 0f, duration: 5f);
cutsceneStartEvent.AddChainEvent(fadeInEvent, delay: 0f, duration: 1f);
cutsceneStartEvent.AddChainEvent(showUIEvent, delay: 0f, duration: 0f);

// Execute the chain
cutsceneStartEvent.Raise();

Timeline:

🖼️ T+0.0s | Frame 0
🚀 cutsceneStartEvent.Raise()
└─► 🎬 fadeOutEvent.Raise()             ✅ Initiated

        ┆  (Δ 1.0s Delay)
        ▼
🖼️ T+1.0s | Frame 60
└─► 🖥️ hideUIEvent.Raise()              ✅ Executed

        ┆  (Δ 0.5s Delay)
        ▼
🖼️ T+1.5s | Frame 90
└─► 🎞️ playCutsceneEvent.Raise()         ✅ Executed

        ┆  (Δ 5.0s Delay)
        ▼
🖼️ T+6.5s | Frame 390
└─► 🎬 fadeInEvent.Raise()              ✅ Executed

        ┆  (Δ 1.0s Delay)
        ▼
🖼️ T+7.5s | Frame 450
└─► 🖥️ showUIEvent.Raise()              ✅ Finalized

📊 Total Timeline: ~7.5s | 🎞️ Total Span: 450 Frames

Failure Scenario:

🖼️ T+0.0s | Frame 0
🚀 cutsceneStartEvent.Raise()           ✅ Initiated

        ┆  (Δ 1.0s)
        ▼
🖼️ T+1.0s | Frame 60
🚀 fadeOutEvent.Raise()                 ✅ Executed

        ┆  (Δ 0.5s)
        ▼
🖼️ T+1.5s | Frame 90
🚀 hideUIEvent.Raise()                  ✅ Executed

        ┆  (Δ 5.0s)
        ▼
🖼️ T+6.5s | Frame 390
🚀 playCutsceneEvent.Raise()            ❌ CRITICAL FAILURE!
                                        
        🛑 [ CIRCUIT BREAKER ACTIVE ]
        ⚠️ Logical chain halted to prevent state desync.

        ⏩ fadeInEvent.Raise()          🚫 NEVER EXECUTED
        ⏩ showUIEvent.Raise()          🚫 NEVER EXECUTED

Best Practices

1. Listener Management

Always Unsubscribe

Memory leaks are the #1 issue with event systems. Always clean up listeners.

❌ Bad
✅ Good

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
    [GameEventDropdown] public GameEvent onPlayerDeath;
    
    void Start()
    {
        onPlayerDeath.AddListener(HandleDeath);
    }
    
    // Object destroyed but listener remains in memory!
    // This causes memory leaks and potential crashes
}

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
    [GameEventDropdown] public GameEvent onPlayerDeath;
    
    void OnEnable()
    {
        onPlayerDeath.AddListener(HandleDeath);
    }
    
    void OnDisable()
    {
        // Always unsubscribe to prevent memory leaks
        onPlayerDeath.RemoveListener(HandleDeath);
    }
    
    void HandleDeath()
    {
        Debug.Log("Player died!");
    }
}

Use OnEnable/OnDisable Pattern

The OnEnable/OnDisable pattern is the recommended approach for Unity.

public class HealthUI : MonoBehaviour
{
    [GameEventDropdown] public SingleGameEvent healthChangedEvent;
    
    void OnEnable()
    {
        // Subscribe when active
        healthChangedEvent.AddListener(OnHealthChanged);
    }
    
    void OnDisable()
    {
        // Unsubscribe when inactive
        healthChangedEvent.RemoveListener(OnHealthChanged);
    }
    
    void OnHealthChanged(float newHealth)
    {
        // Update UI
    }
}

Benefits:

Automatic cleanup when object is disabled/destroyed
Listeners only active when needed
Prevents duplicate subscriptions
Works with object pooling

2. Schedule Management

Store Handles for Cancellation

Always store ScheduleHandle if you need to cancel later.

❌ Bad
✅ Good

public class PoisonEffect : MonoBehaviour
{
    void ApplyPoison()
    {
        // Can't cancel this later!
        poisonEvent.RaiseRepeating(damagePerTick, 1f, repeatCount: 10);
    }
    
    void CurePoison()
    {
        // No way to stop the poison!
        // It will keep ticking for all 10 times
    }
}

public class PoisonEffect : MonoBehaviour
{
    private ScheduleHandle _poisonHandle;
    
    void ApplyPoison()
    {
        // Store the handle
        _poisonHandle = poisonEvent.RaiseRepeating(
            damagePerTick, 
            1f, 
            repeatCount: 10
        );
    }
    
    void CurePoison()
    {
        // Can cancel the poison effect
        if (poisonEvent.CancelRepeating(_poisonHandle))
        {
            Debug.Log("Poison cured!");
        }
    }
    
    void OnDisable()
    {
        // Clean up on disable
        poisonEvent.CancelRepeating(_poisonHandle);
    }
}

Multiple Schedules Pattern

When managing multiple schedules, use a collection.

public class BuffManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    [GameEventDropdown] public StringGameEvent buffTickEvent;
    
    private Dictionary<string, ScheduleHandle> _activeBuffs = new();
    
    public void ApplyBuff(string buffName, float interval, int duration)
    {
        // Cancel existing buff if any
        if (_activeBuffs.TryGetValue(buffName, out var existingHandle))
        {
            buffTickEvent.CancelRepeating(existingHandle);
        }
        
        // Apply new buff
        var handle = buffTickEvent.RaiseRepeating(
            buffName, 
            interval, 
            repeatCount: duration
        );
        
        _activeBuffs[buffName] = handle;
    }
    
    public void RemoveBuff(string buffName)
    {
        if (_activeBuffs.TryGetValue(buffName, out var handle))
        {
            buffTickEvent.CancelRepeating(handle);
            _activeBuffs.Remove(buffName);
        }
    }
    
    void OnDisable()
    {
        // Cancel all buffs
        foreach (var handle in _activeBuffs.Values)
        {
            buffTickEvent.CancelRepeating(handle);
        }
        _activeBuffs.Clear();
    }
}

3. Trigger and Chain Management

Use Handles for Safe Removal

Always use handles to avoid removing other systems' triggers/chains.

❌ Risky
✅ Safe

public class DoorSystem : MonoBehaviour
{
    void SetupDoor()
    {
        doorOpenEvent.AddTriggerEvent(lightOnEvent);
    }
    
    void Cleanup()
    {
        // DANGER: Removes ALL triggers to lightOnEvent
        // Even those registered by other systems!
        doorOpenEvent.RemoveTriggerEvent(lightOnEvent);
    }
}

public class DoorSystem : MonoBehaviour
{
    private TriggerHandle _lightTriggerHandle;
    
    void SetupDoor()
    {
        // Store the handle
        _lightTriggerHandle = doorOpenEvent.AddTriggerEvent(lightOnEvent);
    }
    
    void Cleanup()
    {
        // Only removes YOUR specific trigger
        doorOpenEvent.RemoveTriggerEvent(_lightTriggerHandle);
    }
}

Organizing Multiple Triggers/Chains

Use a structured approach for complex systems.

public class CutsceneManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    // Store all handles for cleanup
    private readonly List<ChainHandle> _cutsceneChains = new();
    private readonly List<TriggerHandle> _cutsceneTriggers = new();
    
    void SetupCutscene()
    {
        // Build cutscene sequence
        var chain1 = startEvent.AddChainEvent(fadeOutEvent, duration: 1f);
        var chain2 = startEvent.AddChainEvent(playVideoEvent, duration: 5f);
        var chain3 = startEvent.AddChainEvent(fadeInEvent, duration: 1f);
        
        _cutsceneChains.Add(chain1);
        _cutsceneChains.Add(chain2);
        _cutsceneChains.Add(chain3);
        
        // Add parallel triggers for effects
        var trigger1 = startEvent.AddTriggerEvent(stopGameplayMusicEvent);
        var trigger2 = startEvent.AddTriggerEvent(hideCrosshairEvent);
        
        _cutsceneTriggers.Add(trigger1);
        _cutsceneTriggers.Add(trigger2);
    }
    
    void SkipCutscene()
    {
        // Clean up all chains
        foreach (var chain in _cutsceneChains)
        {
            startEvent.RemoveChainEvent(chain);
        }
        _cutsceneChains.Clear();
        
        // Clean up all triggers
        foreach (var trigger in _cutsceneTriggers)
        {
            startEvent.RemoveTriggerEvent(trigger);
        }
        _cutsceneTriggers.Clear();
    }
}

4. Priority Usage

Guidelines for Priority Values

Use a consistent priority scale across your project.

// Define priority constants
public static class EventPriority
{
    public const int CRITICAL = 1000;    // Absolutely must run first
    public const int HIGH = 100;         // Important systems
    public const int NORMAL = 0;         // Default priority
    public const int LOW = -100;         // Can run later
    public const int CLEANUP = -1000;    // Final cleanup tasks
}

// Usage
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(SavePlayerData, EventPriority.CRITICAL);
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(UpdateHealthBar, EventPriority.HIGH);
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(PlayDamageSound, EventPriority.NORMAL);
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(UpdateStatistics, EventPriority.LOW);

Priority Anti-Patterns

❌ Avoid
✅ Best Practice

// Don't use random or inconsistent priorities
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(SystemA, 523);
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(SystemB, 891);
healthEvent.AddPriorityListener(SystemC, 7);

// Don't overuse priority when order doesn't matter
uiClickEvent.AddPriorityListener(PlaySound, 50);
uiClickEvent.AddPriorityListener(PlayParticle, 49);
// These don't need priority, use basic listeners!

// Use priorities only when order matters
saveGameEvent.AddPriorityListener(ValidateData, 100);   // Must validate first
saveGameEvent.AddPriorityListener(SerializeData, 50);   // Then serialize
saveGameEvent.AddPriorityListener(WriteToFile, 0);      // Finally write

// Use basic listeners when order doesn't matter
buttonClickEvent.AddListener(PlaySound);
buttonClickEvent.AddListener(ShowFeedback);
buttonClickEvent.AddListener(LogAnalytics);

5. Conditional Listeners

Effective Condition Design

Keep conditions simple and fast.

❌ Expensive
✅ Efficient

// Don't do expensive operations in conditions
enemySpawnEvent.AddConditionalListener(
    SpawnBoss,
    () => {
        // Bad: Complex calculations in condition
        var enemies = FindObjectsOfType<Enemy>();
        var totalHealth = enemies.Sum(e => e.Health);
        var averageLevel = enemies.Average(e => e.Level);
        return totalHealth < 100 && averageLevel > 5;
    }
);

// Cache state, make conditions simple checks
private bool _shouldSpawnBoss = false;

void UpdateGameState()
{
    // Update cached state occasionally, not every frame
    _shouldSpawnBoss = enemyManager.TotalHealth < 100 
                    && enemyManager.AverageLevel > 5;
}

void Setup()
{
    // Simple, fast condition check
    enemySpawnEvent.AddConditionalListener(
        SpawnBoss,
        () => _shouldSpawnBoss
    );
}

Common Pitfalls

1. Memory Leaks

Problem: Not unsubscribing listeners when objects are destroyed.

Symptoms:

Increasing memory usage over time
Errors about destroyed objects
Callbacks executing on null references

Solution:

// Always use OnEnable/OnDisable pattern
void OnEnable() => myEvent.AddListener(OnCallback);
void OnDisable() => myEvent.RemoveListener(OnCallback);

2. Lost Schedule Handles

Problem: Creating schedules without storing handles.

Symptoms:

Cannot cancel repeating events
Events continue after object is destroyed
Resource waste from unneeded executions

Solution:

private ScheduleHandle _handle;

void StartTimer()
{
    _handle = timerEvent.RaiseRepeating(1f);
}

void StopTimer()
{
    timerEvent.CancelRepeating(_handle);
}

3. Broad Removal Impact

Problem: Using target-based removal instead of handle-based removal.

Symptoms:

Other systems' triggers/chains get removed unexpectedly
Hard-to-debug issues where events stop firing
Cross-system coupling and fragility

Solution:

// Store handles, remove precisely
private TriggerHandle _myTrigger;

void Setup()
{
    _myTrigger = eventA.AddTriggerEvent(eventB);
}

void Cleanup()
{
    eventA.RemoveTriggerEvent(_myTrigger);  // Safe!
}

4. Recursive Event Raises

Problem: Event listener raises the same event, causing infinite loop.

Symptoms:

Stack overflow exceptions
Unity freezes
Exponential execution growth

Example:

// ❌ DANGER: Infinite recursion!
void Setup()
{
    healthEvent.AddListener(OnHealthChanged);
}

void OnHealthChanged(float health)
{
    // This triggers OnHealthChanged again!
    healthEvent.Raise(health - 1);  // ← INFINITE LOOP
}

Solution:

// ✅ Use a flag to prevent recursion
private bool _isProcessingHealthChange = false;

void OnHealthChanged(float health)
{
    if (_isProcessingHealthChange) return;  // Prevent recursion
    
    _isProcessingHealthChange = true;
    
    // Safe to raise here now
    if (health <= 0)
    {
        deathEvent.Raise();
    }
    
    _isProcessingHealthChange = false;
}

Performance Optimization

1. Minimize Listener Count

Even though the code has been highly optimized, there will still be some overhead for each listener. Consolidate when possible.

❌ Inefficient
✅ Optimized

// Multiple listeners for related operations
healthEvent.AddListener(UpdateHealthBar);
healthEvent.AddListener(UpdateHealthText);
healthEvent.AddListener(UpdateHealthIcon);
healthEvent.AddListener(UpdateHealthColor);

// Single listener handles all UI updates
healthEvent.AddListener(UpdateHealthUI);

void UpdateHealthUI(float health)
{
    // Batch all UI updates together
    healthBar.value = health / maxHealth;
    healthText.text = $"{health:F0}";
    healthIcon.sprite = GetHealthIcon(health);
    healthColor.color = GetHealthColor(health);
}

2. Avoid Heavy Operations in Listeners

Keep listeners lightweight. Move heavy work to coroutines/async.

❌ Blocking
✅ Async

void OnDataLoaded(string data)
{
    // Bad: Blocks execution for all subsequent listeners
    var parsed = JsonUtility.FromJson<LargeData>(data);
    ProcessComplexData(parsed);  // Takes 50ms
    SaveToDatabase(parsed);      // Takes 100ms
}

void OnDataLoaded(string data)
{
    // Good: Start async processing, don't block
    StartCoroutine(ProcessDataAsync(data));
}

IEnumerator ProcessDataAsync(string data)
{
    // Parse
    var parsed = JsonUtility.FromJson<LargeData>(data);
    yield return null;
    
    // Process
    ProcessComplexData(parsed);
    yield return null;
    
    // Save
    SaveToDatabase(parsed);
}

3. Cache Delegate Allocations

Avoid creating new delegate allocations every frame.

❌ Allocations
✅ Cached

void OnEnable()
{
    // Creates new delegate allocation every time
    updateEvent.AddListener(() => UpdateHealth());
}

void OnEnable()
{
    // Reuses same method reference, no allocation
    updateEvent.AddListener(UpdateHealth);
}

void UpdateHealth()
{
    // Implementation
}

Summary Checklist

Use this checklist when working with GameEvent:

Listener Management

Always unsubscribe in OnDisable
Use OnEnable/OnDisable pattern
Cache delegate references when possible
Keep listeners lightweight

Schedule Management

Store ScheduleHandle when you need cancellation
Cancel schedules in OnDisable
Use collections for multiple schedules
Clean up on object destruction

Trigger/Chain Management

Use handles for safe removal
Store handles in collections for cleanup
Choose triggers for parallel, chains for sequential
Chains run automatically when the source event is raised

Performance

Consolidate related listeners
Move heavy work to coroutines/async
Use simple, fast conditions
Avoid recursive event raises

Priority & Conditions

Use consistent priority scale
Only use priority when order matters
Keep conditions simple and cached
Document priority dependencies

Execution Order​

Visual Timeline​

Execution Characteristics​

Key Differences Explained​

Best Practices​

1. Listener Management​

Always Unsubscribe​

Use OnEnable/OnDisable Pattern​

2. Schedule Management​

Store Handles for Cancellation​

Multiple Schedules Pattern​

3. Trigger and Chain Management​

Use Handles for Safe Removal​

Organizing Multiple Triggers/Chains​

4. Priority Usage​

Guidelines for Priority Values​

Priority Anti-Patterns​

5. Conditional Listeners​

Effective Condition Design​

Common Pitfalls​

1. Memory Leaks​

2. Lost Schedule Handles​

3. Broad Removal Impact​

4. Recursive Event Raises​

Performance Optimization​

1. Minimize Listener Count​

2. Avoid Heavy Operations in Listeners​

3. Cache Delegate Allocations​

Summary Checklist​

Listener Management​

Schedule Management​

Trigger/Chain Management​

Performance​

Priority & Conditions​

Execution Order

Visual Timeline

Execution Characteristics

Key Differences Explained

Best Practices

1. Listener Management

Always Unsubscribe

Use OnEnable/OnDisable Pattern

2. Schedule Management

Store Handles for Cancellation

Multiple Schedules Pattern

3. Trigger and Chain Management

Use Handles for Safe Removal

Organizing Multiple Triggers/Chains

4. Priority Usage

Guidelines for Priority Values

Priority Anti-Patterns

5. Conditional Listeners

Effective Condition Design

Common Pitfalls

1. Memory Leaks

2. Lost Schedule Handles

3. Broad Removal Impact

4. Recursive Event Raises

Performance Optimization

1. Minimize Listener Count

2. Avoid Heavy Operations in Listeners

3. Cache Delegate Allocations

Summary Checklist

Listener Management

Schedule Management

Trigger/Chain Management

Performance

Priority & Conditions