Write efficient, reusable scripts to build custom characters, game environments, and control enemy AI
Key Features
Build captivating multiplayer games using Unreal Engine and C++
Incorporate existing C++ libraries into your game to add extra functionality such as hardware integration
Practical solutions for memory management, error handling, inputs, and collision for your game codebase
Book Description
Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) is a popular and award-winning game engine that powers some of the most popular games. A truly powerful tool for game development, there has never been a better time to use it for both commercial and independent projects. With more than 100 recipes, this book shows how to unleash the power of C++ while developing games with Unreal Engine.
This book takes you on a journey to jumpstart your C++ and UE4 development skills. You will start off by setting up UE4 for C++ development and learn how to work with Visual Studio, a popular code editor. You will learn how to create C++ classes and structs the Unreal way. This will be followed by exploring memory management, smart pointers, and debugging your code. You will then learn how to make your own Actors and Components through code and how to handle input and collision events. You will also get exposure to many elements of game development including creating user interfaces, artificial intelligence, and writing code with networked play in mind. You will also learn how to add on to the Unreal Editor itself.
With a range of task-oriented recipes, this book provides actionable information about writing code for games with UE4 using C++. By the end of the book, you will be empowered to become a top-notch developer with UE4 using C++ as your scripting language!
What you will learn
Create C++ classes and structs that integrate well with UE4 and the Blueprints editor
Discover how to work with various APIs that Unreal Engine already contains
Utilize advanced concepts such as events, delegates, and interfaces in your UE4 projects
Build user interfaces using Canvas and UMG through C++
Extend the Unreal Editor by creating custom windows and editors
Implement AI tasks and services using C++, Blackboard, and Behavior Trees
Write C++ code with networking in mind and replicate properties and functions
Who this book is for
If you are a professional game developer looking for solutions to common scripting problems, then this book is for you. Knowledge of the fundamentals of game design and C++ is expected to get the most out of this book.
Table of Contents
UE4 Development Tools
Creating Classes
Memory Management, Smart Pointers, and Debugging
Actors and Components
Handling Events and Delegates
Input and Collision
Communication Between Classes and Interfaces -Part I
Communication Between Classes and Interfaces -Part II
Integrating C++ and the Unreal Editor -Part I
Integrating C++ and the Unreal Editor -Part II
Working with UE4 APIs
Multiplayer Networking in UE4
AI for Controlling NPCs
User Interfaces, UI and UMG
