Building an Unreal RTS Game: The Basics (Udemy.com)

Learn the Real Time Strategy (RTS) genre, using Unreal Engine 4

Created by: Packt Publishing

Produced in 2018

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What you will learn

  • The audience will learn how to implement an RTS-style free roaming cameraselecting non-playablecharacters (NPCs) through mouse input
  • Using basic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Pathfinding to have selected NPCs move around a level
  • How to modify Navigation Mesh (Nav Mesh) data to be able to implement varied and interesting gameplay
  • How to add a second unit to the game,how to make a unit attack,how to create Destructible environments, and finally bring everything together with an RTS-style user interface using Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG).

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Quality Score

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Overall Score : 68 / 100

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Course Description

In this course, you will learn about gameplay programming in Unreal Engine 4, using examples from the well-known Real Time Strategy (RTS) genre. You will become familiar with how versatile the structure of the Unreal Engine is, and how it can be used to create many kinds of game. Beginning with implementing an RTS-style free roaming camera from scratch, you will then move on to selecting Non-Playable Characters (NPCs) through mouse input, and using basic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Pathfinding to have selected NPCs move around a level. Finally, the course will cover how to modify Navigation Mesh (Nav Mesh) Data to provide varied and interesting gameplay.

Then, in Volume 2, you will add a second unit to the game, make a unit attack, create destructible environments, and finally bring everything together with an RTS-style user interface using Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG).

The topics covered in this course will not only form the basis for an RTS game, but will also introduce various concepts that underlie gameplay programming in Unreal Engine 4.

About the Authors

Jonathan A. Daley is a co-founder of independent game studio Nacelle Games, which he founded with his wife Carrie Daley, in 2014. Since then they've shipped several games and apps for iOS and tvOS, as well as consulted on several VR projects. Jonathan has programmed and designed over 20 games and apps since 2013, using everything from the Unreal Engine 4 and Unity 3D game engines, to programming games and apps from scratch in Xcode and Visual Studio.
Who this course is for:
This course is aimed at game developers who are familiar with Unreal Engine 4, and video gamedevelopment in general, but want to learn more about gameplay programming in Unreal Engine 4including techniques that will save time in their own Unreal Engine 4 projects, and help to make theirprojects even better.

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Instructor Details

Packt Publishing

Packt has been committed to developer learning since 2004. A lot has changed in software since then - but Packt has remained responsive to these changes, continuing to look forward at the trends and tools defining the way we work and live. And how to put them to work.
With an extensive library of content - more than 4000 books and video courses -Packt's mission is to help developersstay relevant in a rapidly changing world. From new webframeworks and programming languages, to cutting edge dataanalytics, and DevOps,Packt takes software professionals in every field to what's important to them now.
From skills that will help you to develop and future proof your career to immediate solutions to every day tech challenges, Packt is a go-to resource to make you a better, smarter developer.

PacktUdemy courses continue this tradition, bringing you comprehensive yet concise video courses straight from the experts.





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Reviews

3.4

21 total reviews

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By Dieter borgers on 7/7/2020

super course with good explanation, pacing and preparation for coming parts. If I were to give this some negative remarks it would be on the missed opportunity for some more course material. For example, a AIcontroller is set up for the character but never realy used (might be outside the scope of "basics" though) and most importantly something like adding enemies and having them attack each other. Otherwise it is a great course to start your RTS of with!

By Daniel Arias on 6/23/2020

I reached the AI controller implementation and it is outdated, the course does not say which version should you use... it is frustrating that you reach the end of the course, and you cannot finish it because there is no way to get the controller

By Daniel Hollingsworth on 6/13/2020

This course was exactly what I was looking for to complete my AI/NPC prototyping. Mr Daley is direct, to the point, and everything covered has a purpose. I recommend this for anyone needing a RPG AI kick-start.

By Luiz Augusto Melo on 5/14/2020

This course is very basic, but pass the knowledge of basics RTS games.

By Liam Wenzlaff on 2/9/2020

Wasn't really as extensive as I was hoping. Felt more like a crash course in Blueprints than a course on making an actual RTS in UE4.
On reading other reviews, I've decided to revise my score. As it turns out the course claims to teach things like making units attack and destructible environments. It does nothing of the sort, only teaching you to use Unreal's built in pathfinding to order units to move around. In fact, the ENTIRE fourth bullet point on the "What you'll learn" section is false.

By NP -01 on 9/27/2019

Certainly learned new material, but the course wasn't as extensive as I was hoping for.

By Justin Minyard on 6/26/2019

This course wasn't quite what I was looking for/expecting. When it said "gameplay programming," I was thinking that meant some actual C++ programming, but it's all blueprints. I've been following along googling to figure out how to implement in C++. Hopefully, if this course is ever updated at some point, it will include how to implement everything in C++ code. Otherwise, the lessons have been good. The instructor has been clear and concise and knows the material, at least how to implement it with blueprints. I've created a repository with my code keeping along with the lessons and put it on Github, here: https://github.com/Jmin17/RTS_Lessons if that might help anyone

By Brosef Broferson on 2/4/2019

Great course but I wish there were more lessons. Feels a bit short.
Maybe a part 2

By Ev Von on 11/25/2018

I wish it explained more about what's happening, so beginners could get a better understanding, but so far, It's great!

By Joseph Kozak on 11/15/2018

Very rudimentary; hardly delves past the absolute basics of the topic. Never gets past a movement and selection system; for instance with just a few minutes of my own time I expanded upon the basic selection system provided and made it much more in depth. No structures, combat, or any semblance of an advanced mechanic. Instructor tends to repeat the same thing a few times per lecture; will go into needless depth for simple easy to understand concepts.

By Douglas Osborn on 10/22/2018

The entire "course" is almost 3 hours long. I'm pretty sure you can see the first half of this "course" on youtube for free. In order to finish this class you need only a very basic understanding of Unreal Engine (large enough skill set to be able to open Unreal Engine). There is no C++ work, only Blueprint.
The course ends very abruptly. I suppose this could be called the basics of an RTS game, so long as you define an RTS game as being able to exclusively point and click default pawns to be able to walk. That's it. The series is surprisingly repetitive for only a 2-3 hour set of videos. If you would like a free 30 minute sample, just repeat to yourself, "The project settings for Unreal Engine can be found under; Edit, Project Settings, and then go to Engine, and select Input". Repeat this sentence for 30 minutes.

By Isnizal Zuhri on 9/13/2018

How adding more RTS Game. Good courses