I want to create a 2D Fighting game demo similar to Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.
Realistically the completed demo would just just be 2 characters and a background, (of course with the animations, and maybe one or two special moves etc.)
Looking through the new templates included in Unreal 4, I noticed a Sidescrolling Template.
I am not sure if this is the template that I should go with in my project and I am unsure about setting the camera up for a 2D (or I guyess it would be 2.5D) game etc. since there is not actually a fighting game template included.
I am not new to Unreal or UDK, but I am pretty fresh to Unreal 4 so I wanted to start this thread as I go through my project in regards to questions, suggestions etc.
I noticed that SF5 and both MKX (using a modified version of Unreal Engine) are using Unreal.
Does anyone have any experience using Unreal 4 to create a 2D Fighter?
Or can at least talk me through the process of getting my project started by posting here, sharing resources, etc.
Please be specific with me as possible so that I may learn.
If you are serious about project, start from empty template, unless you know unreal well enough to know what is going on in template and are able to modify it without problems.
In your case start playing with sidescroller template see how it works then recreate what you need from it in your own game. Those templates are getting old fast, they were created for 4.2.0 or so.
Since initial release epic devs added many great tools )and bp programming ways) that were not present year ago.
Starting with the SideScroller Template is exactly what I started doing that and reviewing Digital Tutors.
I have been looking at how Blueprint work which is very similar to Kismet, and I knew Kismet pretty well using Unreal 3.
I have also been piecing together the little information I have found about manipulating things in the Sidescroller Template in order to make it more 2D Fighter friendly.
It’s just a little frustrating because there is a severe lack of information about making a 2D Fighter using Unreal 4, however it can be done and other user’s have attempted to do so in the past, but there has been like zero information about the process.
You mentioned those Unreal templates starting to become out of date (which makes sense)do you have any other recommendations?
I think the most difficult part would be the game mechanics, but glad you are taking this up it seems like an interesting project.
Since you mentioned MK and SF I would recommend going with Blender, 3D Max, or Maya great design and animation tools where you will be able to create the models and animate them. If you choose to import them to unreal in 3D or export the animations to 2D is up to you.
But if you are going with a more traditional approach something like Marvel VS Capcom 2 or Wrestelmania: The Arcade game using traditional 2D sprites I would recommend using Spriter Pro (Link) create the animation and export sprites. I would also recommend going to Sprite Database (Link) where you can get some sprites to use for testing and prototyping.
To my best knowledge MK9, MKX, Injustice:GAU all use the unreal engine in what is now known as 2.5D (technically 3D objects constrained to 2 dimensions).
Thanks man! Yep, I would be using Maya for asset creation and ZBrush for Character Design of course.
My game will be 2.5D where the player action will be within a 2D plane, however the characters and backgrounds are rendered in a three-dimensional fashion. (More akin to the art style of Marvel Vs. Capcom 3.)
I know alot about using and creating Sprites bro, I have another project called Vamprotector, which is a fusion of Castlevania and Contra. You can see it on my website as well as all on YouTube. That game is being made with MMF2/Fusion 2.5. It’s been about a year’s worth of work. So I am good there!
Right now, I am concentrating on getting this Unreal Project off the ground because this is important for me as far as school is involved. (I am working on my Master’s in Video Game Design and Development, I currently have a Bachelor of Science in Video Game Art and Design.) so I am pretty proficient using tools such as Maya, Zbrush, Unreal etc.as well as traditional art and digital painting to include concept art and storyboarding.
Any knowledge that you guys can provide to me regarding Unreal 4 and making my game similar to Street Fighter Vs. Xmen or Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 would be greatly appreciated!
All the tools you know will definitely help in creating the game.
Have you decided on the game design and and features of the game? (Hits, grabs, projectiles, grab cancels, grab in air, character switch in, special move meter, etc…)
I don’t know what you want to do but here are a few tips:
Constrain character movements on the Y plane.
Use an Orthographic Camera.
Utilize animation states.
Root motion will help a lot for the movement and hit animations.
UMG will be used for displaying information.
Although not on Unreal Engine 4 a tutorial for an engine known as Universal Fighting Engine really helps (Link), they also have a lot of fighting game concepts and basics.
All that is explained more in depth in my High Concept Document, but for demo purposes everything will be on a much much smaller scale. The demo will consists of 2 characters, lifebar supports, collisions, and super jump.
Thanks for the tips I am doing just that by using Digital Tutors and looking at the Unreal Documentation. It’s early but it’s going well! Right now I am just trying to get the stage camera setup by using Blueprint:
Do you have anything you could contribute or tips? I am working with 3D assets and characters, but the fighting will be on a two dimensional plane.
Thanks, but I really don’t need this kind of video, therefore I am in school for my Master’s in Game Design so I know a bit about game theory and UI design.
I am more interested in the technical aspects of how things work.
Not saying your suggestion wasn’t helpful I just don’t want to put the cart in front of the horse.
This won’t even be a full scale project at this point, just a uber small demo. If it does become a project I will have a full development team at that point.
You can also input Vamprotector on youtube for tons of vids and there is even a Facebook page.
It’s still a work in progress but there’s about a year’s worth of work in it as of right now, but the project has been around in it’s infancy stages longer than that.
I work on it when I am free and it’s a personal project of mine.
Just wanted to mention “Guilty Gear Xrd” uses Unreal 4. It looks like a sprite/cel based fighting game but the characters are actually 3D geometry. Pretty cool stuff.
The same way you would make any other level. Just place everything facing the camera. I would just use the basic shapes to build it up, and then put collision on platforms. If you want to add effects like explosions and stuff some simple trigger zones and blueprints and you should be good to go. I’m working a 2.5D game now and thats pretty much it.