Unreal Engine 5 Dedicated Servers with AWS and GameLift (Udemy.com)

I bought this course when it was first released for Unreal Engine 5.4, and it was useful at the time. However, the course promised a Dedicated Server setup, and unfortunately it has not kept up with changes to Dedicated Servers, AWS, GameLift, and the overall deployment workflow. Since Unreal Engine 5.4, the workflow has changed significantly. Many of the steps shown in the course are now outdated, making it impossible to follow successfully. I also think the course would benefit from being split into two separate courses. I like that the instructor takes the time to explain concepts and discuss how things work, but it often causes the course to lose its flow. If you're already familiar with Unreal Engine and just need to find a specific setup or solution, it becomes tedious. Even watching at 2x speed, it's difficult to get to the information you actually need. I can no longer use this course for my project, and I don't think it provides good value for anyone purchasing it today unless it is updated. It no longer reflects the current setup process. I hope the author updates the content because it had a lot of potential when it was originally released.

While some parts of the course could use an update to better reflect current trends, most of those points can be addressed through the comment section. Even though Amazon GameLift Servers are no longer free, the course uses EC2 so sparingly that the actual costs are negligible. As someone completely new to AWS, I found it a bit challenging, but the instructor explained so much that I was able to learn a lot. One minor drawback is that toward the end, the instructor’s pace picks up, which made it slightly difficult to follow—especially for a non-native speaker like myself. However, I was able to bridge those gaps by using AI to ask questions. I'm very grateful to the instructor for creating this course; if you're new to AWS, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained here.

I like this course a lot and I'm learning soo much. Though the course can get too specific on some irrelevant stuff (at least for me) / repetitive. Such as the creating the UI for the sign-Up/sign-In section. I found myself just fast forwarding all the UI creation, and at some point the actual API setup logic in unreal until it get to AWS specific as it gotten repetitive. That whole section could have been cut into half. But again, this might just be preference or me ! I'm currently not coding along the Prof, I'm just trying to understand the flow between AWS and Unreal and how AWS Game lift Infrastructure is use for multiplayer. I'm currently half way through the course. I'm very excited about rest. Definitely worth the purchase :)

I highly recommend Stephen for their exceptional course on using Unreal Engine with AWS GameLift. Their deep understanding of both game development and cloud infrastructure is evident throughout the course, which is clearly structured, practical, and full of real-world insights. Whether you're new to multiplayer game hosting or looking to integrate GameLift into your Unreal projects, this course provides a clear, hands-on path to success. Stephen's ability to explain complex concepts in a simple, approachable way makes this an invaluable resource for developers at any level.

All I can say is that this course is not for beginners since he skims over a lot of deep topics, that he explains really briefly, such as explanation of No-SQL vs SQL but it's expected of you to be familiar with it. Besides that, the labor of actually following through the course actually pays off when you get to the DynamoDB part because that is the part of seeing how it actually all ties all together. API Gateway, Lambda Functions, DynamoDB, Cognito User Pools, GameLift, CloudWatch Logging and how it all ties together with Unreal Engine Clients. Amazing Course for people that have no clue how to get a system working, this is a middle course to really deep dive to see how things tie together between Game Server to the Front Page User Handling Specific Game Stats and/or Achievements. Amazing Course. Definitely a High Rated Course because of how to actually do something most people would never actually teach you to do. This course is definitely a 10/10.

Very well written course. Although it focuses more on the AWS side of things and can be boring at times. If you want a more hands-on approach, then I'd recommend the online player shooter course.

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for all the support and guidance you’ve provided in our C++ with Unreal course. When I first began, I struggled immensely with understanding C++ in the Unreal environment. I was constantly encountering errors and felt overwhelmed, especially since I had no prior experience. However, your clear explanations and patient approach have made a tremendous difference. Your dedication to ensuring that each concept was thoroughly understood has not only helped me overcome initial challenges but also allowed me to grasp the fundamentals more confidently. I truly appreciate the time you took to explain complex topics and the encouragement you offered when I faced difficulties. Thanks to your teaching, I now feel much more comfortable working with C++ in Unreal and am excited to continue building my skills. Thank you once again for being such an outstanding educator. Your passion for teaching and commitment to your students’ success do not go unnoticed. Best regards

Review of "Unreal Engine 5 Dedicated Servers with AWS and GameLift" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As a network engineer with extensive experience using AWS, I was eager to dive into Stephen’s course to explore the gaming backend perspective, and it did not disappoint. "Unreal Engine 5 Dedicated Servers with AWS and GameLift" is an absolute gem for anyone interested in learning how to integrate AWS GameLift with Unreal Engine 5. What I Loved About the Course: Clear and Comprehensive Content: Stephen breaks down complex topics into digestible, easy-to-follow lessons. Even though I was new to GameLift, his explanations and examples made it easy to understand. Hands-On Approach: The course doesn’t just cover theory—it dives straight into practical applications like writing Lambda functions, creating DynamoDB tables to track player data, and making API calls from within Unreal Engine 5. These are skills I can directly apply to projects. New Perspectives: Although I use AWS extensively for work, I had never explored its gaming backend potential. Learning how to leverage AWS tools for dedicated servers was incredibly rewarding. Value: The course is worth its weight in gold, but thanks to a coupon code from the Druid Mechanics Discord, I got it at an unbeatable price. Why I Recommend It: This course is perfect for anyone who wants to level up their game development skills, especially if you’re looking to combine the power of Unreal Engine 5 with AWS. Stephen’s teaching style is engaging, and his expertise shines through every lecture. If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate—this course is a must-have for both aspiring and experienced developers!

This course has been amazing! I always look forward to Stephen's courses because he is very knowledgeable and does his best to also teach best practices. In this course, it was also great to know that there are other options that may cost money and shows how to do them, just in case. Otherwise, everything has been free so far and has even helped increase my understanding of AWS. This course gives me value not only in my hobby of game development but in my profession as a software engineer as well! This has been by favorite course so far! Thank you!

I started working with Unreal Engine two years ago. Before choosing to pay for anything, I dove into hundreds of videos out there, many of which were extremely helpful. But if I could start over again, I'd start with all of Stephen's courses. And in particular, this one on Dedicated Servers was the ONLY source I found anywhere that properly walked one through every single step necessary to get a dedicated server up and running that could actually support a release-able product. Bonus: repetitive patterns of UE5 C++ and associated blueprints (widgets, game modes, player controllers, etc.) for multiple real-world use cases, including outside database, user sign up, sign in, security, etc. I'm almost jealous of anyone who takes this early on while developing a project. :)