Build a Complete Unreal Engine 5 Game

# CHAPTER 20

Build a Complete Unreal Engine 5 Game #

1. Introduction #

You have studied the theory. You understand the architecture of Actors and Components, the logic of Blueprints and C++, the beauty of Lumen, the intelligence of Behavior Trees, and the strict rules of Multiplayer networking. Now, it is time to forge all of these distinct systems into a single, cohesive masterpiece. Welcome to the Final Capstone Project. In this chapter, you act as the Solo Developer. We will outline the architectural blueprint for a complete, vertical-slice game prototype—a Third-Person Survival Shooter. We will map the exact workflow from empty project to a packaged Windows executable.

2. The Project Scope #

The Game: "Neon Survivor" Genre: Third-Person Sci-Fi Shooter. Core Loop: The player spawns in a dark, neon-lit arena. AI drones spawn in waves and chase the player. The player shoots drones to score points. If health reaches 0, the game is over.

3. Step 1: Core Framework and Movement #

Never start by building the map. Start by building the "Three C's": Character, Camera, and Controls.

1. 1. The GameMode: Create BPSurvivalGameMode. This dictates the rules (Score, Wave limits).

1. 2. The Character: Create BPHero. Add a SpringArm, Camera, and a Skeletal Mesh.

1. 3. The Input: Use the Enhanced Input System. Map WASD to Movement, Mouse to Camera Look, and Left-Click to Fire Weapon.

1. 4. The Animation: Create a Blend Space for Idle/Run. Create an AnimBP State Machine. Link the variables so the character physically runs when WASD is pressed.

4. Step 2: The Weapons and Gameplay (C++ & Blueprints) #

We need a modular system so we can easily add new weapons later.

1. 1. The Base Class: Write a C++ class AWeaponBase. Add a UPROPERTY for Damage and Ammo. Write a Fire() function that performs a Line Trace (Raycast) from the camera to the center of the screen.

1. 2. The Blueprint: Create BPRifle inheriting from AWeaponBase. Attach it to the Character's hand bone using a Socket.

1. 3. The Logic: When Left-Click is pressed, the Character calls Fire() on the equipped weapon. If the Line Trace hits an Actor, it calls ApplyDamage.

5. Step 3: Artificial Intelligence (The Enemy) #

We need drones to chase the player.

1. 1. The NavMesh: Add a NavMeshBoundsVolume to the level so the AI can navigate.

1. 2. The AI Character: Create BPDrone. Give it a health variable. When it receives ApplyDamage, subtract health. If health <= 0, Destroy Actor and spawn an explosion.

1. 3. The Brain: Create a Blackboard (stores TargetPlayer) and a Behavior Tree.

1. 4. The Logic: The AI Perception component sees the player. The Behavior Tree triggers a "Move To" node, chasing the player. If it gets within 100 units, it triggers an "Attack" animation and applies damage to the player.

6. Step 4: User Interface (UMG) #

The player needs to know their status.

1. 1. The HUD: Create WBPPlayerHUD. Add a red Progress Bar for Health, and a Text block for Score.

1. 2. Event-Driven Updates: Inside BPHero, when taking damage, fire an Event Dispatcher. The HUD listens for this and updates the Health bar. (Do not use Tick!).

1. 3. Game Over Screen: Create WBPGameOver with a "Restart" button. When BPHero dies, spawn this widget, show the mouse cursor, and pause the game.

7. Step 5: Environment and Lighting (Lumen) #

Now we build the arena.

1. 1. The World: Use the Landscape tool to create a large crater. Paint it with a rocky, dark material.

1. 2. The Lighting: Delete the Sun (Directional Light) to make it pitch black. Add an Exponential Height Fog (Volumetric).

1. 3. The Mood: Place neon blue and pink Point Lights around the arena. Add a Post-Process Volume. Turn up the "Bloom" so the neon lights glow brilliantly in the dark fog. Lumen will naturally bounce the blue and pink light off the rocky floor.

8. Step 6: Audio and Polish #

1. 1. Sound Design: Create a Sound Cue for the Rifle gunshot, randomizing pitch slightly. Add an Attenuation setting to the Drone explosion so it is louder when closer.

1. 2. Cinematics: Use Sequencer to create a 5-second fly-through of the arena before the player gains control.

1. 3. Optimization: Run stat unit. Ensure Draw Calls are low. Convert any repetitive background meshes into Instanced Static Meshes.

9. Step 7: Packaging #

The game is complete. Time to ship it.

1. 1. Go to Project Settings -> Maps & Modes. Set the Default Map to your Arena level.

1. 2. Go to Platforms -> Windows -> Shipping Build.

1. 3. Click Package Project.

1. 4. Open the resulting folder, double-click NeonSurvivor.exe, and play the game you built from scratch!

10. The End of the Beginning #

You have done it. You have designed architecture, written logic, sculpted worlds, manipulated light, and engineered artificial life. You understand how the massive gears of Unreal Engine 5 turn in unison.

You have completed the Unreal Engine 5 – Complete Beginner to Advanced Guide. The engine is no longer a mystery; it is your canvas. The only limit now is your imagination. Go build the games you've always wanted to play.