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Explain like im five: Using UE blueprints, what should I learn to program a simple game?

Community General Discussion
#1

I am a musician, gfx artist, and dabble in writing, for many years & have a lot of content that I want to put into a simple game. I hate coding, but UE blueprints has just opened my eyes to the possibility of actually being able to make a game.

I want to start making a simple 2 or 2.5d top down shooter or side scroller platformer (hyper light drifter, celeste, hollow knight)… I can grok blueprints whereas traditional coding i fall flat.

Say if I wanted to make a something like those games - what would you say are the:

Important aspects to learn and get right

Hardest things to learn within the game logic

And: would you recommend some blueprints to buy from the marketplace and study how they work?

Basically I would love some homework to go and study - i’ve made a room with fire that kills and a key that opens a door to the end of the game loop. I want to do something better. I’m talking logic/mechanics - got the gfx/sound/story ready

#2

Well, there are really millions of free tutorials on YouTube through which you can experiment with more complex systems, I personally don’t think you have to buy anything on marketplace for that.

For a bit more intermediate level, the recent Unreal Fest had some really insightful presentations on Blueprints:
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/e…depth—part-1
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/e…depth—part-2

These explain many high and low level practices, which are important to understand for any middle+ size project.

There are also many others which can help you understand the problems that can arise and ways to avoid them, like:
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/e…and-creativity

Generally speaking, I suggest you first just try to do simple things, as much by yourself as you can, and gradually go through the available materials and videos which you find interesting. Even though we’re talking about Blueprints, it’s still programming, so don’t expect to master everything in 2 weeks.
Set simple goals first, and as soon as you can get these done entirely by yourself, only then go into more hardcore topics. At least it’s my personal suggestion.

#3

Probably not what you want to hear but put some time in to learn the basics of linear algebra like vectors and matrices. It will give a huge boost to your ability to make useful Blueprints and help you better understand 3D software like maya or blender.

#4

thanks - i have been watching a lot of youtubes, mostly the unreal streams atm. I’m doing ok with understanding the logic, its actually melting my brain now as i’m actually learning how to implement ideas i have in my head. Great stuff, this type of system.

edit* those videos are very helpful, thanks

No, that’s exactly what I want to hear. I know the basics (long time max user) but I can get learning with the more complex stuff

#5

Learning general visual scripting is like learning something like this:

images.jpg[HR][/HR]

Unreal Engine is something more or less like this:

Rock-Ock_1.jpg

#6

That guitar (the red one obviously) is the sht!
Don’t listen to Bruno he’s like a ‘Joe Satriani’. :stuck_out_tongue:

The good news is…

You can build a game just by taking apart some examples.
Begin by trawling through Community-Tools / Marketplace.
For now, only choose packs in the genre you’re working in.
If you need more hand holding then watch tuts on YouTube.
But its far slower learning, even sometimes **** frustrating…

#7

ha. I actually find blueprints a bit like ‘i know kung fu’ but its in french and you need to learn what the words mean

#8

i dont know if that is the right approach over learning it myself? I am trying to imagine taking apart someones .3ds file or a DAW session and trying to learn all the variables without actually knowing what they did to get there… Can I easily plug those BP into my own project or will that cause major headaches down the line? (or i guess you’re just suggesting look at them?)

#9

You’ll have to decide what’s right for you dude… Your personality may be better suited to structured ABC learning versus dissecting things. But here’s a point to consider. There are 10+ ways to wire up a bunch of nodes in BP… 9 out of 10 of those won’t work (or won’t work as intended / expected). So its easier sometimes to start with code that works / functions, and later tweak that around to your liking (rework the code / rename variables / reformat sections etc). You’ll quickly learn this the first time you jump into a relatively simple problem that involves vector-math and rotations… :wink:

Its unavoidable! You’re going to have to learn to integrate code into your own projects eventually anyway, as the Marketplace doesn’t come with a free Consulting Service…:stuck_out_tongue: Its not as hard as you think, just as long as the code you’re integrating works and is solid. Obviously look for examples that are ‘clean’ and have comments. Hint: Samples with lots of impossible to follow crossed-wires are usually a warning sign to stay away.

#10

Just follow some tutorial that shows how to make game, hint: paid ones, not YT.

#11

can you recommend any? I already have some (basic) Udemy ones, there is a comprehensive 30 hour (!) one but its in Portuguese.

I would really love some sort of course or book which goes through everything with an example of when and why you would use it - my workflow is slow due to having an idea and not knowing how to implement it. I know its computers and theres five ways to skin a cat but some sort of bible would be great.

Yes, RTFM (I am)

#12

Tom Loomans tutorials are ace and free!

https://www.tomlooman.com/unreal-engine-4/bp/