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Coursera

Unreal Engine 5 - The Complete Beginner's Course

Packt via Coursera

Overview

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This course is designed to take you from a complete beginner to a proficient Unreal Engine 5 user, equipping you with the skills to create your own games. You'll start by understanding the fundamentals, from installation to setting up your first project. As you progress, you’ll explore the intricacies of Unreal Engine’s Level Editor, where you’ll learn to create immersive environments and design levels that captivate players. The course will guide you through the nuances of managing actors, lighting, materials, and blueprints, giving you the tools to build interactive and dynamic game elements. Moving deeper into the course, you'll uncover the power of Unreal Engine’s Blueprint system. This visual scripting language will enable you to create complex gameplay mechanics without needing to write a single line of code. You'll learn to control character movements, design interactive levels, and develop a fully playable game. The course also covers essential topics like collision handling, user interfaces, and audio integration, ensuring you gain a well-rounded understanding of game development within Unreal Engine 5. By the end of the course, you will have developed a complete game from scratch, packaged it for distribution, and gained the confidence to tackle more advanced projects. Whether you aim to start a career in game development or pursue it as a hobby, this course provides the perfect foundation to begin your journey. This course is ideal for beginners with no prior experience in game development or Unreal Engine. Basic computer skills are recommended. No programming knowledge is required, as the course extensively covers Unreal Engine's Blueprint system for visual scripting.

Syllabus

  • Getting Started
    • In this module, we will introduce the foundational concepts and setup required to begin your journey with Unreal Engine. You'll start by understanding what makes Unreal Engine unique, followed by step-by-step guidance on installation and project creation. We will also explore Levels and Actors, essential components of any game, giving you the basic knowledge needed for more advanced modules.
  • The Level Editor
    • In this module, we will dive deep into the Unreal Engine Level Editor, the hub for creating and managing game environments. You'll learn how to navigate and customize the interface, use various editing modes, and master the Viewport for efficient scene creation. Additionally, we'll cover content management through the Content Browser and how to organize your Level's components using the Outliner, ensuring a streamlined workflow as you build your game world.
  • Actors
    • In this module, we will explore the diverse types of Actors in Unreal Engine, essential building blocks for any game or simulation. You’ll begin by learning about static meshes, brushes, and materials, crucial for constructing your environment. We'll delve into lighting techniques and atmospheric effects to elevate the visual quality of your game. Additionally, you'll understand the use of volumes and player start points, ensuring your Level is both functional and immersive. Finally, hands-on tutorials will guide you through creating a sky, designing a playing area, and building inner structures to solidify your knowledge.
  • Blueprints
    • In this module, we will delve into Unreal Engine's powerful Blueprint system, a visual scripting tool that allows you to create complex game logic without writing code. You’ll begin by exploring the fundamental components of Blueprints, including variables, functions, and flow control nodes. We will then cover how to access and manipulate Actors within your Level using Blueprints. Through hands-on tutorials, you’ll gain practical experience by creating interactive elements such as an elevator platform, enemy behaviors, and a rotating door, equipping you with the skills to bring your game ideas to life.
  • Players and Input
    • In this module, we will explore how players interact with the game world through Unreal Engine's Player and Input systems. You’ll start by learning about Game Modes, which define the rules of gameplay, and then delve into the intricacies of Pawns and Characters, including their movement and physics properties. We will cover how Controllers manage player and AI inputs, and how to enhance these inputs with advanced settings like triggers and modifiers. Through practical application, you’ll build a playable character, equipping you with the skills to bring player interactions to life in your game.
  • Collisions
    • In this module, we will delve into the essential aspects of collision in Unreal Engine, focusing on how objects in your game world interact with each other. You’ll start by exploring collision volumes and understanding the differences between simple and complex collisions. Next, you'll learn about collision events and how to configure them to generate specific responses, such as triggering damage. Through practical tutorials, you'll apply this knowledge to create a damage system and interactive collectible items, enhancing the interactivity and depth of your game.
  • User Interfaces
    • In this module, we will explore the powerful tools provided by Unreal Engine's UMG system to create engaging and interactive user interfaces. You’ll start with the basics of UMG, learning how to build and structure menus and HUDs using various panels and widgets. We will cover essential widget properties and customization options, enabling you to create visually appealing and functional interfaces. Through a series of tutorials, you’ll apply this knowledge to build HUDs that display health and collected items, add effects for player actions, and design essential game screens like pause menus and victory screens, elevating the overall user experience.
  • Audio
    • In this module, we will explore the use of audio in Unreal Engine, focusing on how to create and implement immersive soundscapes within your game. You'll start by learning about Sound Waves, AmbientSound actors, and their properties, which are essential for managing audio playback. Next, we'll dive into Sound Cues, exploring how to use nodes to control and manipulate sound. We'll also cover audio attenuation to add depth and realism to your sound design. Through practical tutorials, you'll learn to import, convert, and integrate audio into your game, bringing your virtual world to life with rich soundscapes and dynamic audio effects.
  • Additional Topics
    • In this module, we will cover various additional topics that are essential for expanding and finalizing your Unreal Engine projects. You'll learn how to download content from the Epic Games Marketplace and Quixel Bridge, providing you with a wealth of assets to enhance your game. We will also guide you through the process of importing 3D objects from external sources, broadening the scope of your project's visual elements. Finally, you’ll learn how to package and export your game, ensuring it is ready for distribution and can be played outside of the Unreal Editor, culminating in a fully functional demo game.

Taught by

Packt - Course Instructors

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