If you’re a beginner game developer looking to learn Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) and create your first game in just 24 hours, then this guide is perfect for you.
Getting Started with Unreal Engine 4
Download the latest version of UE4
Installing UE4
Before we can start, you need to install UE4 on your computer. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the Epic Games Launcher website (https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/download) and download the latest version of UE4.
- Open the installer and follow the prompts to install UE4 on your computer.
Setting Up a New Project
Once you have UE4 installed, let’s create a new project:
- Open UE4 and click on "File" in the top menu bar.
- Select "New Project" from the dropdown menu.
- In the "Create New Project" window, select "Blueprint" as the project template.
- Give your project a name and choose a location to save it.
- Click on "Create Project."
Creating Your First Game
Now that you have your new project set up, let’s start building your first game:
Adding Actors
Actors are the basic building blocks of your game. In UE4, actors can be added to your scene by right-clicking in the world view and selecting “Add Actor.” You can also add actors from the Content Browser on the left side of the screen.
Creating Blueprints
Blueprints are visual scripts that allow you to create complex game logic without writing code. In UE4, blueprints can be created by right-clicking in the world view and selecting “Create Blueprint Class.” You can also create blueprints from the Content Browser on the left side of the screen.
Adding Materials
Materials are used to give your actors a visual appearance. In UE4, you can add materials to your actors by dragging them onto the actor in the world view or by right-clicking in the world view and selecting “Add Material.”
Tips and Tricks
To make the most out of the time you have, here are a few tips and tricks:
- Keep it simple: Don’t try to create a complex game with lots of actors and blueprints. Stick to the basics and create a simple game that you can complete in 24 hours.
- Use pre-made assets: UE4 comes with a library of pre-made assets, such as characters, weapons, and environments, that you can use to speed up your development process.
- Don’t worry about perfection: Your first game may not be perfect, but that’s okay. The most important thing is to get started and learn from your mistakes.
Summary
In conclusion, with UE4, creating a game in 24 hours is possible.