Tom Oliver is a well-known game developer who has been working with Unreal Engine for many years. He has developed several successful games using this engine, including Samaritan and Outer Wilds. In a recent video, he shared some of his best practices and patterns for game development with Unreal Engine 5.
1. Start with a Prototype
One of the most important things to do when starting a new game is to create a prototype. This allows you to quickly test your ideas and get feedback from potential players. Tom recommends using blueprints to create simple prototypes quickly and easily. He also suggests using Unreal Engine’s built-in physics engine to simulate the behavior of objects in your game.
2. Break down Your Game into Small, Manageable Pieces
When working on a large game, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Tom recommends breaking down your game into small, manageable pieces that you can work on one at a time. This makes it easier to track progress and identify any issues early on in the development process.
3. Use Asset Store for Pre-Made Assets
Unreal Engine has a vast library of pre-made assets that you can use in your games. These include everything from characters and environments to weapons and effects. Using these assets can save you a lot of time and effort, and they can also help give your game a more polished look.
4. Optimize for Performance
One of the most important things to consider when developing a game is performance. Tom recommends using Unreal Engine’s profiling tools to identify any performance bottlenecks in your code. He also suggests using techniques like level streaming and LOD (level of detail) to improve performance on lower-end systems.
5. Collaborate with Other Developers
Developing a game is a collaborative effort, and it’s important to work closely with other developers to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Tom recommends using tools like Git for version control and communication, and he also suggests having regular meetings and check-ins to discuss progress and address any issues that arise.
6. Test, Test, Test
Finally, it’s important to test your game thoroughly before releasing it. Tom recommends using Unreal Engine’s built-in testing tools, as well as third-party tools like Valgrind and MemTest for more advanced testing. He also suggests playtesting your game with a diverse group of people to get feedback on the gameplay and overall experience.
In conclusion, Tom Oliver’s game development patterns with Unreal Engine 5 are focused on starting with a prototype, breaking down your game into small manageable pieces, using asset store for pre-made assets, optimizing for performance, collaborating with other developers, and testing thoroughly. By following these patterns and practices, you can develop a successful game that is both fun and polished.