Binary or Source?

Hello, can you please explain what the source version is and if and how it needs to be updated. Is it possible to use only the source version or do they work together?

I am interested in this as I want to make a game with a dedicated server.

Hey @Atom_Thunder! Basically the source version of unreal is the full, every module of unreal that you have to build yourself. If you need to change something in the source code to work for your game, then you’d go with source and build from that. However, if like most people you don’t really need to get too deep in the engines code and can work from what’s already there. The binary doesn’t have all modules included normally (but you can add them).

If you’re using C++ and are fluent, especially if requiring a dedicated server and special runtime requirements, building from source is the most effective way to make sure you have total control over the engine, but it’s by no means a good first foray unless you are fluent in C++.

Since you stated that you’re working towards doing dedicated servers so you actually need to go with the source. Here’s some more documentation to help you get started. I hope all this helps!

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Thanks for the reply.
As far as I understand I need the source version for that dedicated server

That is correct! For dedicated servers you’ll also be working purely from C++ so be prepared!

Thank you, I will try

Do I need to update the source version?

It entirely depends on if you need more current functionality. I’d recommend sticking with release builds as anything on experimental branches could be even more experimental. Safest place to start would be pulling 4.27’s stable for now, unless you really want UE5’s fancy toys, but know UE5 has a pretty good ways to go before everything works as intended. Updating after this decision is not a trivial matter either, but that’s past where my knowledge ends.