book

Multiplayer Game Development with Unreal Engine 5

by Marco Secchi

October 2023

Beginner to intermediate

394 pages

8h 59m

English

Packt Publishing

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ContributorsAbout the authorAbout the reviewers
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookDownload the example code filesConventions usedGet in touchShare Your ThoughtsDownload a free PDF copy of this book
Technical requirementsPre-requisite knowledgeHardware requirementsSoftware requirementsIntroducing multiplayer gamesBecoming a network programmer in video gamesUnderstanding multiplayer game categoriesFirst-person shootersThird-person shootersReal-time strategyMassively multiplayer online role-playing gamesMulti-user dungeonsMultiplayer online battle arenaReviewing gameplay twistsAsymmetrical gameplayHide-and-seek gameplayAsynchronous gameplayIs multiplayer technology just for games?CinematographyArchitectureEducationUnreal’s Collab Viewer templateSummary
Technical requirementsWhat is computer networking?Types of computer networksLocal Area NetworksWide Area NetworksVirtual Private NetworksIntroducing network protocolsPacket switchingTCP/IP suiteUnderstanding network issuesSecurityPacket lossLatencyIntroducing the Unreal Engine multiplayer systemNetwork modes and server typesThe replication systemNetwork rolePawns and PlayerControllersRelevance and priorityRemote Procedure CallsSummaryCredits
Technical requirementsCreating a multiplayer game prototypeSetting up the project from a templateAdding Quixel MegascansModifying the Player ControllerTesting a multiplayer game locallyPlaying as a Listen ServerUpdating over the networkAdding additional character spawn pointsUpdating properties over the networkCreating the pickup BlueprintAdding pickup variantsAdding a points counter to the characterExecuting functions over the networkSpawning ActorsSkinning charactersTesting the gameSummary
Technical requirementsIntroducing Unreal Shadows – Legacy of the LichlordExplaining the project briefStarting the projectUnderstanding C++ in Unreal EngineBlueprints and C++Understanding C++ classesAnatomy of a UE C++ headerThe Unreal Engine Reflection SystemMemory management and garbage collectionStarting your Unreal multiplayer projectCreating your project fileCreating the project game instanceCreating the Game Mode and the Game StateAdding the player classesCompiling your source codeCreating the Character Blueprint ClassAdding the Player classes to the Game ModeSummary
Technical requirementsSetting up the characterAdding basic settings to the characterAdding interaction to the characterImporting the Enhanced Input ModuleAdding user interaction to the characterTesting the character’s movementControlling the connection of an ActorUnderstanding Actor relevancyUnderstanding relevancyTesting relevancyTesting the relevancy settingsIntroducing authorityControlling authority with the Role and Remote Role properties of an ActorAutonomous and simulated proxySummary
Technical requirementsAdding character statsCreating the stats structureCreating a stats data tableReading the data table from the characterAdding the data table to the characterUnderstanding property replicationEnabling property replicationReferencing Actors and components over the networkHandling character level-upsPlanning aheadDeclaring PlayerState properties and functionsImplementing the PlayerState logicAdding coin pickups to the levelAdding a HUD to the gameCreating the Widget BlueprintAdding code logic to the Widget BlueprintAdding the HUD to the characterTesting the gameSummary

Technical requirementsUnderstanding what an RPC isReliability of an RPCValidating RPCsExecuting RPCs over the networkCalling a function on the serverImplementing a door systemCreating the Interactable interfaceImplementing the interact actionCreating the door BlueprintTesting the interact actionSummary
Technical requirementsSetting up the AI systemCreating an AI opponentAdding the navigation moduleCreating the minion classImplementing the minions’ behaviorsAdding opponents to the levelCreating a spawner classTesting the spawnerSummary
Technical requirementsMaking AI opponents more challengingMaking some noiseEnabling the hearing senseTesting the hearing senseImplementing an alert systemDeclaring the Game Mode functionsMaking the AI send alert messagesAdding health to the AIAdding a weapon system to the characterCreating a dagger projectileImplementing the weapon componentAttaching the WeaponProjectile component to the characterAdding an input system for the weaponTesting the weapon systemCreating AI variationsCreating an AI sentinelCreating an AI minibossUpdating the minion spawnerSummary
Technical requirementsAnimating the characterCreating the animation assetsAdding the Animation System to the characterAdding the throw animationAdding NPC ActorsCreating the NPC characterTesting the NPC ActorMaking further improvements to the gameLet’s make some noise!I need a key!Improve your arsenal, my hero!You are not a machine gunNo time to wasteTables, tables everywhere!Need some help?Summary
Technical requirementsIntroducing network debuggingExplaining game debuggingIntroducing multiplayer optionsLogging in a networked environmentFiltering the LogNet categoryCreating a custom log categoryEmulating a networked environmentEnabling network emulationTesting the game with network emulationUsing the Network ProfilerRecording a profiling sessionAnalyzing a profiling sessionImproving performance and bandwidth utilizationTurning on replication only when necessaryAvoiding invoking RPCs that are not required or essentialDistinguishing between reliable and unreliable RPCsValidating dataRemembering that the GameMode exists only on the serverUsing a naming convention for RPCsSummary
Technical requirementsUnderstanding game sessionsIntroducing the Online SubsystemUnderstanding session commandsUnderstanding connection errorsPreparing a project game sessionCreating a sessionAdding the visual elementsImplementing the Visual Scripting logicJoining a sessionCreating the SessionItemRenderer widgetCreating the FindSessions widgetCreating the Main Menu widgetSummary
Technical requirementsCreating the main menu levelCreating the PawnCreating the GameModeCreating the levelTesting the session systemHandling data during a sessionUpdating the US_GameInstance classAdding the CharacterSkins dataUpdating the US_MainMenuPawn classUpdating the BP_MainMenuPawn BlueprintUpdating the US_Character classUpdating the BP_Character BlueprintMaking further improvementsLeaving and destroying sessionsHandling player deathSelecting the player skinSummary
Technical requirementsGoing online for realCompiling the Unreal EngineDownloading the Unreal Engine source projectCompiling from the source codeSetting up a dedicated serverCreating the projectBuilding the project solutionBuilding the dedicated serverTesting the projectSummary
Technical requirementsIntroducing EOSAccessing the Developer PortalAccessing the Epic Games Developer PortalCreating a ProductConfiguring the Product servicesGetting started with the EOS SDKDownloading the EOS SDKIntegrating the system into your gameSummary
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Overview

Master the art of multiplayer game development using Unreal Engine 5 in this comprehensive guide. You will build a fully functional networked game, learning how to use C++ and Blueprints, while discovering networking techniques and best practices to create interactive and immersive online experiences.

What this Book will help me do

Understand the fundamentals of building multiplayer games using Unreal Engine 5.
Set up and manage networked levels with scalability in mind.
Learn how to implement replication, Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs), and other networking features.
Debug and optimize your multiplayer game for improved performance and scalability.
Successfully deploy your multiplayer game using Unreal Engine and connect it to online services such as Epic Online Services.

Author(s)

Marco Secchi is a seasoned game developer with extensive experience using Unreal Engine and designing multiplayer game systems. His expertise in networking concepts and C++ programming has allowed him to build scalable and engaging multiplayer experiences for a variety of player audiences. Marco is passionate about sharing his knowledge and empowering developers to create high-quality multiplayer games.

Who is it for?

This book is for game programmers and developers with an interest in mastering multiplayer game development. While prior experience with Unreal Engine and general programming is beneficial, the book is tailored to guide readers with limited knowledge of networking systems. It's also highly adaptable for those transitioning from other game engines to Unreal. If you aim to bring multiplayer functionality to your projects or deepen your game development skills, this book is an excellent starting point.