book

Elevating Game Experiences with Unreal Engine 5 - Second Edition

by Gonçalo Marques, Devin Sherry, David Pereira, Hammad Fozi

September 2022

Beginner

760 pages

18h 17m

English

Packt Publishing

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Second Edition
About the authors
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookInstalling Visual Studio Epic Games Launcher Download the example code filesDownload the color imagesConventions usedGet in touchShare Your Thoughts
Technical requirementsExercise 1.01 – creating an Unreal Engine 5 projectGetting to know Unreal EngineExploring editor windowsViewport navigationManipulating ActorsExercise 1.02 – adding and removing ActorsUnderstanding Blueprint ActorsExercise 1.03 – creating Blueprint ActorsExploring the Blueprint editorExploring the Event Graph windowExercise 1.04 – creating Blueprint variablesExercise 1.05 – creating Blueprint functionsUnderstanding the Multiply nodeExploring the BeginPlay and Tick eventsExercise 1.06 – offsetting the TestActor class on the Z-axisThe ThirdPersonCharacter Blueprint classExploring the usage of meshes and materialsMeshesMaterialsManipulating materials in UE5Activity 1.01 – propelling TestActor on the Z-axis indefinitelySummary
Technical requirements Creating and setting up a blank C++ projectExercise 2.01 – creating an empty C++ projectThe Content folder’s structure in Unreal EngineWorking with the Visual Studio solutionDebugging code in Visual StudioExercise 2.02 – debugging the Third Person template codeImporting the required assetsExercise 2.03 – importing a character FBX fileThe Unreal Game Mode classGame Mode default classesGameplay eventsNetworkingGameModeBase versus Game ModeUnderstanding levels and the Level BlueprintThe Unreal Pawn classThe Unreal Player Controller classExercise 2.04 – setting up the Game Mode, Player Controller, and Pawn classesWorking with animationsAnimation BlueprintsEvent GraphThe Anim GraphState MachinesTransition RulesBlend SpacesActivity 2.01 – linking animations to a characterSummary
Technical requirementsThe Unreal Character classExtending the C++ class with BlueprintsSummary
Technical requirementsUnderstanding Input Actions and ContextsExercise 4.01 – creating the movement and jump input actionsProcessing Player InputExercise 4.02 – listening to movement and jump input actionsTurning the camera around the characterActivity 4.01 – adding walking logic to our characterSummary
Technical requirementsIntroduction to collisionSetting up your projectExercise 5.01: Converting DodgeballCharacter to a top-down perspectiveUnderstanding Line TracesCreating the EnemyCharacter C++ classExercise 5.02: Creating the CanSeeActor function that executes Line TracesVisualizing the Line TraceExercise 5.03: Creating the LookAtActor functionCreating the EnemyCharacter Blueprint ClassSweep TracesExercise 5.04: Executing a Sweep TraceChanging the Visibility Trace ResponseMulti Line TracesThe Camera Trace ChannelExercise 5.05: Creating a custom EnemySight Trace ChannelActivity 5.01: Creating the SightSource propertySummary
Technical requirementsUnderstanding object collision in UE5Understanding collision componentsUnderstanding collision eventsUnderstanding collision channelsExercise 6.01 – creating the Dodgeball classCreating Physical MaterialsExercise 6.02 – adding a ProjectileMovementComponent to DodgeballProjectileIntroducing timersUnderstanding how to spawn actorsExercise 6.03 – adding projectile-throwing logic to the EnemyCharacter classCreating the Wall classesExercise 6.04 – creating Wall classesCreating the VictoryBox actorExercise 6.05 – creating the VictoryBox classExercise 6.06 – adding the ProjectileMovementComponent getter function to DodgeballProjectileActivity 6.01 – replacing the SpawnActor function with SpawnActorDeferred in EnemyCharacterSummary

Technical requirementsGood practices – loose couplingBlueprint Function LibrariesExercise 7.01 – moving the CanSeeActor function to the Blueprint Function LibraryActor componentsExercise 7.02 – creating the HealthComponent Actor componentExercise 7.03 – integrating the HealthComponent Actor componentExploring interfacesBlueprint native eventsExercise 7.04 – creating the HealthInterface classActivity 7.01 – moving the LookAtActor logic to an Actor componentSummary
Technical requirementsGame UIUMG basicsExercise 8.01 – creating a Widget BlueprintIntroducing anchorsExercise 8.02 – editing UMG anchorsExercise 8.03 – creating the RestartWidget C++ classExercise 8.04 – creating the logic for adding the RestartWidget class to the screenExercise 8.05 – setting up the DodgeballPlayerController blueprint classUnderstanding progress barsExercise 8.06 – creating the health bar C++ logicActivity 8.01 – improving the RestartWidget classSummary
Technical requirementsAudio in UE5Exercise 9.01 – Importing an audio fileExercise 9.02 – Playing a sound when the dodgeball bounces off a surfaceSound attenuationExercise 9.03 – Turning the bounce sound into a 3D soundExercise 9.04 – Adding background music to our gameUnderstanding Particle SystemsExercise 9.05 – Spawning a Particle System when the dodgeball hits the playerActivity 9.01 – Playing a sound when the dodgeball hits the playerExploring level designExercise 9.06 – Building a level blockoutExtra featuresSummary
Technical requirementsProject breakdownThe player characterConverting the Third Person template into a side-scrollerExercise 10.01 – Creating the side-scroller project and using the Character Movement componentActivity 10.01 – Making our character jump higherExploring the features of our side-scroller gameEnemy characterPower-upsCollectiblesHeads-Up Display (HUD)Exercise 10.02 – Exploring the Persona Editor and manipulating the default mannequin skeleton weightsActivity 10.02 – Skeletal bone manipulation and animationsUnderstanding animations in Unreal Engine 5SkeletonsSkeletal MeshesAnimation sequencesExercise 10.03 – Importing and setting up the character and animationActivity 10.03 – Importing more custom animations to preview the character runningSummary
Technical requirementsCreating Blend SpacesBlend Space 1D versus normal Blend SpaceExercise 11.01 – creating the CharacterMovement Blend Space 1DActivity 11.01 – adding the Walking and Running animations to the Blend SpaceThe Main Character Animation BlueprintAnimation BlueprintsExercise 11.02 – adding the Blend Space to the character Animation BlueprintWhat are velocity vectors?Exercise 11.03 – passing the character’s Speed variable into the Blend SpaceActivity 11.02 – previewing the Running animation in-gameEnhanced input systemExercise 11.04 – adding input for sprintingExercise 11.05 – reparenting the character BlueprintExercise 11.06 – coding the character’s sprint functionalityActivity 11.03 – implementing the throwing inputUsing Animation State MachinesExercise 11.07 – player character movement and jump state machineTransition rulesExercise 11.08 – adding states and transition rules to the state machineExercise 11.09 – The Time Remaining Ratio functionActivity 11.04 – finishing the Movement and Jumping state machinesSummary
Technical requirementsAnimation blending, Anim Slots, and Animation MontagesExercise 12.01 – Setting up the Animation MontageAnimation MontagesExercise 12.02 – Adding the Throw animation to the montageAnim Slot ManagerExercise 12.03 – Adding a new Anim SlotSave Cached PoseExercise 12.04 – Save Cached Pose of the Movement State MachineLayered blend per boneExercise 12.05 – Blending animation with the Upper Body Anim SlotExercise 12.06 – Previewing the Throw animationThe SuperSideScroller game enemyExercise 12.07 – Creating the enemy base C++ classExercise 12.08 – Creating and applying the enemy Animation BlueprintMaterials and Material InstancesExercise 12.09 – Creating and applying the enemy Material InstanceActivity 12.01 – Updating Blend WeightsSummary
Technical requirementsEnemy AIAI ControllerAuto Possess AIExercise 13.01 – implementing AI ControllersNavigation MeshExercise 13.02 – implementing a Nav Mesh Volume for the AI enemyRecasting the Nav MeshExercise 13.03 – recasting Nav Mesh Volume parametersActivity 13.01 – creating a new levelBehavior trees and BlackboardsTasksDecoratorsServicesExercise 13.04 – creating the AI behavior tree and BlackboardExercise 13.05 – creating a new behavior tree taskExercise 13.06 – creating the behavior tree logicActivity 13.02 – AI moving to the player’s locationExercise 13.07 – creating the enemy patrol locationsVector TransformationExercise 13.08 – selecting a random point in an arrayExercise 13.09 – referencing the patrol point actorExercise 13.10 – updating BTTask_FindLocationPlayer projectileExercise 13.11 – creating the player projectileExercise 13.12 – initializing the PlayerProjectile class’s settingsActivity 13.03 – creating the player projectile BlueprintSummary
Anim Notifies and Anim Notify StatesExercise 14.01 – creating a UAnimNotify classExercise 14.02 – adding the new notify to the Throw Animation MontagePlaying Animation MontagesPlaying Animation Montages in BlueprintsPlaying Animation Montages in C++Exercise 14.03 – playing the Throw animation in C++Exercise 14.04 – creating the projectile spawn socketExercise 14.05 – preparing the SpawnProjectile() FunctionExercise 14.06 – updating the Anim_ProjectileNotify classDestroying actorsExercise 14.07 – creating the DestroyEnemy() functionExercise 14.08 – destroying projectilesActivity 14.01 – Allow the projectile to destroy enemiesUnderstanding and implementing visual and audio effectsVFXAudio effects (SFX)Exercise 14.09 – adding effects when the enemy is destroyedExercise 14.10 – adding effects to the player projectileExercise 14.11 – adding VFX and SFX notifiesActivity 14.02 – adding effects for when the projectile is destroyedSummary
Technical requirementsUnderstanding URotatingMovementComponentExercise 15.01 – creating the PickableActor_Base class and adding URotatingMovementComponentActivity 15.01 – player overlap detection and spawning effects in PickableActor_BaseActivity 15.02 – finalizing the PickableActor_Collectable actorLogging variables using UE_LOGExercise 15.03 – tracking the number of coins for the playerIntroducing Unreal Motion Graphics UIUnderstanding the Text widgetAnchorsText formattingExercise 15.04 – creating the Coin Counter UI HUD elementAdding and creating UMG user widgetsExercise 15.05 – Adding Coin Counter UI to the player screenUsing timersExercise 15.06 – adding the potion power-up behavior to the playerActivity 15.03 – creating the potion power-up actorExercise 15.07 – creating the Brick classExercise 15.08 – adding the Brick class’s C++ logicSummaryAdditional Challenges
Technical requirementsIntroduction to multiplayer basicsUnderstanding the serverDedicated serverThe listen serverUnderstanding the clientExercise 16.01 – Testing the Third Person template in multiplayerPackaging the projectExploring connections and ownershipGetting to know rolesActor spawned on the serverActor spawned on the clientPlayer-owned pawn spawned on the serverPlayer-owned pawn spawned on the clientExercise 16.02 – Implementing ownership and rolesOutput for the Server windowServer CharacterClient 1 CharacterThe OwnershipTest actorOutput for the Client 1 windowUnderstanding variable replicationReplicated variablesExercise 16.03 – Replicating variables using Replicated, ReplicatedUsing, DOREPLIFETIME, and DOREPLIFETIME_CONDITION Output for the Server windowOutput for the Client 1 windowExploring 2D Blend SpacesExercise 16.04 – Creating a movement 2D Blend SpaceTransforming (modifying) bonesExercise 16.05 – Creating a character that looks up and downActivity 16.01 – Creating the character for the multiplayer FPS projectSummary
Technical requirementsUnderstanding remote procedure callsServer RPCMulticast RPCClient RPCImportant considerations when using RPCsExercise 17.01 – Using remote procedure callsExposing enumerations to the editorTEnumAsByteUMETABlueprintTypeExercise 17.02 – Using C++ enumerations in the editorUsing array index wrappingExercise 17.03 – Using array index wrapping to cycle between an enumerationActivity 17.01 – Adding weapons and ammo to the multiplayer FPS gameSummary
Technical requirementsAccessing Gameplay Framework Instances in MultiplayerExercise 18.01 – Displaying the Gameplay Framework instance valuesOutput for the Server windowOutput for the Client 1 windowGame modePlayer stateGame StateUseful built-in functionalityExercise 18.02 – Making a simple multiplayer pickup gameActivity 18.01 – Adding death, respawning, a scoreboard, kill limit, and pickups to the multiplayer FPS gameSummary
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Overview

Elevating Game Experiences with Unreal Engine 5 takes you through a hands-on journey of mastering Unreal Engine 5 to create immersive games. Through structured projects, you'll build fundamental skills like creating characters, implementing gameplay mechanics, and exploring advanced features like animation and AI.

What this Book will help me do

Master creating a third-person character with comprehensive game controls.
Implement engaging animation and AI for complex NPC behaviors.
Build polished IU and sound elements to enhance your game's immersion.
Understand and implement multiplayer functionalities in your games.
Gain insights and solutions for tackling common game development challenges.

Author(s)

Gonçalo Marques, Devin Sherry, David Pereira, and Hammad Fozi bring decades of expertise in game development and Unreal Engine. Their unique teaching approach combines rich practical advice with real-world examples to help readers build games easily and effectively.

Who is it for?

This book is perfect for game developers and enthusiasts eager to explore Unreal Engine's potential, deepen their knowledge of C++, and master the essentials of game-making, from animation to AI and networked game design.