Question INetworkSerializable, TypeLoadException: Invalid generic instantiation

I am trying to serialize a class, but I keep getting this error. What does it mean?

These are the attributes of the class.

Code (CSharp):

1. protected int attack;
2. protected int damage;
3. protected int evasion;
4. protected int defense;
5. protected int hitPoints;
6.  
7. protected int garrisonMax;
8. protected int garrison;
9.  
10. protected SettlementType type;
11. protected GameObject garrisonDisplay;
12. protected Tile tile;
13. protected Combat combat;

I am trying to serialize these fields, I was told the class doesnt have to serialize all its attributes, right?

Code (CSharp):

1. public void NetworkSerialize<T>(BufferSerializer<T> serializer) where T : IReaderWriter
2. {
3.       // Serialize int fields
4.       serializer.SerializeValue(ref attack);
5.       serializer.SerializeValue(ref damage);
6.       serializer.SerializeValue(ref evasion);
7.       serializer.SerializeValue(ref defense);
8.       serializer.SerializeValue(ref hitPoints);
9.       serializer.SerializeValue(ref garrisonMax);
10.       serializer.SerializeValue(ref garrison);
11. }

I get the error only when trying to use the class in a networkvariable like this. Even when only declared it's immediatelly givving the error.

Code (CSharp):

1. NetworkVariable<SettlementBase> settlementBaseNetwork = new();

What should I do?

 

Are any of these fields a generic type or contain a generic type? That‘s what I would be looking into given the error message.

 

I had this error when trying to implement INetworkSerializable in a class, as you seem to be doing.

Got past it by changing the class to a struct.

Not sure if we can Network Serialize classes - would like to know.

 

Good point. The docs only use struct in their example but it doesn't explicitly mention that struct is a requirement.

There is also INetworkSerializeByMemcpy which naturally only works with a struct. And then there is a special managed serializer (?) further suggesting that INetworkSerializable is either for struct only, or that you have to do something else to serialize a managed class.