Worth investing in project at the beginning for unreal?

Development Getting Started & Setup
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Hello everyone!

I am writing to you today with a sincere and heartfelt request. Over the past 2 years (rounding up), I have been deeply immersed in the world of game development, particularly using Unreal Engine. While it has been an incredibly fulfilling and creative endeavor, I find myself facing financial challenges that are impeding my future progress. In exactly a month, i may have to stop doing Unreal Engine. As you may know, Unreal Engine is a powerful and versatile platform for creating video games/films, but it demands a significant amount of computing power to run efficiently. Unfortunately, my current hardware setup is outdated and struggling to keep up with the demands of Unreal Engine, leading to slow development processes and a less-than-ideal creative environment.

(Specs right now of Desktop:
-16GB of ram
-CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G with Radeon Vega Graphics (Base speed: 3.50 GHz)
-4TB HDD of Storage
-GPU: Radeon RX 570 Series- (Max Dedicated GPU Memory 4.0 GB)

Note:
(Looking to double these specs)

I have calculated that I need around $5,000 to upgrade my hardware to a portable option. (aka, laptop) This investment will enable me to work more efficiently, improve the quality of my work, and expedite the development of my projects. It is a crucial step for me to continue pursuing my passion for game development because of my life’s situation which involves me getting rid of my desktop. (I have a count

Kinda hard to do unreal engine without a computer, won’t you say? :rofl:

I was thinking about going to the unreal markplace, getting some paid assets & free blueprints to make an interesting FPS game. It’s not worth spending 300-400$ though if don’t have anything to run it. (Should i invest it now-for the future or save?)

I’ve looked at the epic games Megagrant option-seems like a great option to go, but there is SO many dev projects out there that are way more developed than mine, that are being submitted. I highly doubt I’m going to beat them by myself, with nothing to really show. (Is it worth submitting an application to Epic MegaGrants?)

Is there any possible other Grants i can try to go through? - Anyside hustles for it?

Any known jobs that might help gain this renvue in a month? (prefably less i

What would be a good game developer money management plan for an Unreal engine product?

I do apologize if all these questions are a bit random, but i’m trying to explain as best as i can.

Any advice finically for Unreal engine-would be a huge amount of help

-Thank you

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The main thing you need is a new GPU. You can probably get it second hand.

That would make things a lot easier.

To be clear, it is totally possible to make a world winning game with that setup ( new GPU ). Having hardware that’s right on the edge, is great for knowing immediately when you have performance problems with your game :slight_smile:

Of course, if you really want a laptop, it’s up to you. But generally speaking, corners have to get cut to put things in a laptop, and a lot of what you’re paying is for just that. So unless you have to have one, get a desktop.

It’s true, you don’t usually get a megagrant for being a nice person :slight_smile:

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If only XD

I have to get a laptop, a desktop isn’t allowed where I’m going. I’m planning on selling my computer for 300$, its worth 700$. (Roughly)

Desktops are the pinnacle of design work, but i need to find something else.

Thanks for your insight!

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Then you have to get one :slight_smile:

It’s worth getting a cooler too, leads to a longer life, I think.

Most high-end laptops you can cook eggs on.

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So i’ve heard- depending on the manufacture though, it will change. Most time, highly recommend, i agree with you there!

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^This^… But there’s no real magic solutions here (results are just worse on some laptops). Have mostly been using laptops for game dev (all versions of UE since UDK). So here’s a few tips:

    • Don’t EVER use a game dev laptop for regular gaming on the side ever. Instead buy something disposable for that, like a game-console or a much cheaper laptop.
    • Switch off real-time in all editors and don’t leave the machine unattended especially in a playtest. Instead do testing in short sessions, or on a cheap laptop / desktop.
    • Underclock the machine too if possible (set a frame-rate cap for FPS). Don’t let bloatware or any other apps contribute to overheating. Keep the rig as basic as possible. There’s no reason to let Microsoft Defender spyware run all the time.
    • If what you really need is a small footprint PC (fits into a backpack), then look at buying a VR hybrid PC. You’ll still need access to a VR-headset / Monitor / TV at end-user locations where you’re working (home / work / college / family / friends). But hybrids have cooling systems that laptops just can’t touch, and yet they’re just as portable.
    • Don’t buy Asus for game dev. Their general purpose laptops are fine (family / friends own 20+). Asus eeepc’s can even still run Linux today. But their gaming rigs often have quality control issues and support is non-existent. That’s why they’re priced cheap. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
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Basically. expect it the laptop to burn itself out sooner then running normal stacks :skull_and_crossbones:

(thanks for the info! :v:)

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