Unreal Engine 4 is FREE!  This video shows you where to initiate the download of the Epic Games Launcher (so that you can THEN install Unreal Engine 4 on your computer).

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Download the Epic Games Launcher

• Install Unreal Engine 4 

In this video we'll create our very first project.  We'll use the First Person Template to help us get started.

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Project

  
  

In this video we'll create a directory of folders inside of the Content Browser for the purpose of organizing our course assets.  We'll finish by creating a new Level asset and put it into one of our created folders. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Folders in the Content Browser

• Create a Level 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Level:  Level_01 

In this video we'll begin by taking an overview of Unreal Engine 4's Level Editor.  This is where you'll be spending much of your time while making your gaming projects!

This video is a continuation of "Part 1."  We'll complete our discussion of the Level Editor here.

In this video we'll learn about the Content Browser.  This is where you can access all the content (meshes, sound effects, particle effects, etc.) you'll use to build a project.

This video is a continuation of "Part 1."  We'll complete our discussion of the Content Browser here. 

In this video we'll be exploring how to navigate through your game world using mouse inputs.

In this video you'll learn how to navigate through your game world using some keyboard inputs.

In this video you'll learn how to navigate around an object in your game world using "Maya" style controls.

In this video you'll learn about the different Orthographic Views available to you.  These views are excellent to use when pinpoint object placement is desired or wanting to measure the distance between things. 

In this video you'll learn about a few of the different View Modes available in each view port as well as other things you can turn on or off (such as viewing collision in your game or the world grid). 

In this video we'll discuss how to place actors in your level. 

In this video we'll discuss how to move actors in your level. 

In this video we'll discuss how to rotate actors in your level. 

In this video we'll discuss how to scale actors in your level. 

In this video we'll take a quick look at what the overall design of our game will be.  This discussion will include Play Mechanics, Level Hazards, Game Objectives, Game Rules, and an overview of our Map Design. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Basic Game Design Document 

In this video we'll discuss what Player Metrics are and why a designer should edit these BEFORE starting to build out a level. 

In this video we'll dive into Unreal Engine 4 and modify a few Player and Projectile Metrics. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Edit Player Metrics

• Edit Projectile Metrics 

In this video we'll talk about what "Geometry" is in Unreal Engine 4 and what it's used for. 

In this video we'll talk about how Additive & Subtractive Brushes are accessed and interact with one another. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Add Geometry

• Subtract Geometry

• Change Geometry Ordering 

In this video we'll explore the different settings available for each of the default geometric brush types available in Unreal Engine 4. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Edit Brush Specific Settings   

In this video we'll talk about the numerous ways we can edit geometric brushes in Geometry Edit Mode.   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Move a Geometric Face, Line or Vertex

• Extrude Faces

• Split Lines

• Weld Vertices

• Delete & Create Faces

• Lathe   

In this video we'll discuss what the "Grid" is in UE4 and how to use it as a guide for placing and moving actors.   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Show / Hide the Grid

• Turn Grid Snap Settings On / Off

• Set Grid Snap Settings

• Use the Measure Tool

• Change an Actor Pivot Point

• Snap an Actor to the Grid via Hotkey (Ctrl + End)   

In this video we'll explore various building efficiency tips and tricks. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Duplicate Objects

• Select Multiple Objects

• Group / Ungroup Objects

• Attach / Detach Objects

In this video we'll begin to Graybox our level!  We'll start by taking a look at our map design and getting the floor slabs in place first. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Use Geometry to Graybox a Level   

This video picks up where we left off in Level Layout #1.  Here, we'll finish laying out the floor slabs to give us a sense as to how big our level is and how rapidly our player can move through it from beginning to end. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Use Geometry to Graybox a Level   

In this video we'll use Geometry to build out the "sides" of our Graybox level.  These large boxes will represent building structures. 

In this video we'll place some placeholder assets around our level to represent where we'd like to place things like pickups, hazards, interactive doors, and moving platforms in our level.  Additionally, we'll show off what Blocking Volume and a Kill Z Volume can do for you. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Place / Use a Blocking Volume

• Place / Use a Kill Z Volume 

In this video we'll cover where to locate (free!) assets in the Marketplace and how to add them to your project. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Add Marketplace Assets to a Project 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Asset Pack:  Soul City 

In this video we'll talk about how to work with Materials when dressing your level. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Edit Material Settings on Geometry

• Make a 2-Sided Material 

In this video we'll talk about how to work with Static Meshes when dressing your level.   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Open the Static Mesh Editor

• Edit a Static Mesh's Collision Shape

• Edit a Static Mesh's Collision Responses

• Set a Static Mesh to Simulate Physics   

In this video we'll talk about how to work with Particles when dressing your level.   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Scale a Particle

• Set a Particle's Custom Time Dilation

• Attach a Particle to another Actor

• Toggle Translucent Selection On / Off 

In this video we'll talk about how to work with Sounds when dressing your level.   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Import a Sound File

• Add Ambient Sound Actors

• Edit Basic Sound Properties

• Attach an Ambient Sound to another Actor

• Set Ambient Sound to Auto Activate (or not) 

In this video we'll talk about how to work with Lights when dressing your level.   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Add Point, Spot, Rect, Directional, and Sky Lights

• Edit Basic Light Properties

• Build Lighting

• Place a Lightmass Importance Volume 

In this video we'll talk about the Sky Sphere Blueprint and how it can interact with our Directional Light Actor to create scenes with differing times of day. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Night (or Day Time!) scene 

In this video we'll discuss what Blueprints are, the different Blueprint Types, and take a quick look at the Blueprint Editor. 

In this video we'll create an Actor Blueprint and add all the necessary Components for a Moving Platform. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create an Actor Blueprint

• How to Add / Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_MovingPlatform 

In this video we'll create an Actor Blueprint and add all the necessary Components for an interactive Door. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create an Actor Blueprint

• How to Add / Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Door 

In this video we'll create an Actor Blueprint and add all the necessary Components for a Steam Jet hazard. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create an Actor Blueprint

• How to Add / Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Steam_Jet 

In this video we'll create an Actor Blueprint and add all the necessary Components for a Fan hazard. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create an Actor Blueprint

• How to Add / Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Fan

In this video we'll create an Actor Blueprint and add all the necessary Components for a Health Pickup. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create an Actor Blueprint

• How to Add / Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Health_Pickup

In this video we'll create an Actor Blueprint and add all the necessary Components for a shootable Target.  All other targets will be derived (become children of) this Blueprint. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create an Actor Blueprint

• How to Add / Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Target_Parent 

In this video we'll create Children and Sibling Blueprints that derive from our Parent Target Blueprint.  Our Point Target Blueprints will come in different sizes and award differing amounts of points when shot.   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create a Child Blueprint

• How to Create Sibling Blueprints

• How to Edit Blueprint Components   

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Target_100

• Blueprint:  BP_Target_500

• Blueprint: BP_Target_1000 

In this video we'll create some Sibling Blueprints that, when hit, result in special bonuses (either more time or a temporary speed boost).   

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create Sibling Blueprints

• How to Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Target_+Speed

• Blueprint: BP_Target_+Time 

In this video we'll create a special type of Blueprint capable of spawning X number fof targets for X amount of seconds when a player overlaps a Trigger Volume. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create Sibling Blueprints

• How to Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_Target_SetSpawner 

In this video we'll create a Blueprint used to detect when a player has reached the end of a level. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• How to Create Sibling Blueprints

• How to Edit Blueprint Components 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint: BP_LevelComplete 

In this video we'll talk about what Blueprint Scripting is and how it works. 

In this video we'll discuss what Events are and how they're using in scripting. 

In this video we'll discuss what Functions are, give some example uses, and even show how to create them. 

In this video we'll talk about what Variables are, how they are used, and why they are important.  We will be making heavy use of variables in this project!  This is an important lesson to understand. 

In this continuation video we'll cover many essential concepts involving Variables. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Set Variables

• Categorize Variables

• Organize Variables

• Make a Variable Publicly Editable

• Specify a Private Variable

• Delete a Variable

• Rename a Variable

• Change a Variable Type   

In this video we'll talk about what "Flow Control" nodes are in Blueprint Scripting and how they can be utilized in making games. 

In this video we'll add Variables and create script needed to make a moving platform. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Variables

• Create a Timeline

• Write Blueprint Script 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Vector): StartLocale

• Variable (Vector): EndLocale   

In this video we'll add Variables and create the Script needed to make an interactive Door. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Variables

• Create a Timeline

• Write Blueprint Script 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Bool): CanOpenDoor?

• Variable (Bool): HasDoorBeenOpened?     

In this video we'll add Variables, make a Function, and create the Script needed to make a Health Pickup. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Variables

• Create a Function 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Float): HealthMax

• Variable (Float):  HealthCurrent

• Variable (Float):  Health% 

• Function: UpdateHealth     

In this video we'll add a Variable and create the Script needed to make a Steam Jet hazard. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Variable

• Create Blueprint Script 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Float): PlayerHeathToSubtract 

In this video we'll add Variables and create the Script needed to make a spinning Fan hazard. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Variable

• Create Blueprint Script 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Float): PlayerHeathToSubtract

• Variable (Rotator): RotationRate 

In this video we'll add Variables and create a Script for a shootable Target.  All other targets will be derived (become children of) this Blueprint. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Variables

• Create Blueprint Script   

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Integer):  Points

• Variable (Float):  Lifetime

• Variable (Bool): IsStandAloneTarget? 

In this video we'll continue where we left off in the previous video.  This one involves creating the Script for the spawning of a single target when our player overlaps a trigger volume. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Timeline

• Create Blueprint Script   

  
  

In this video we'll continue to create the Script needed for our shootable Targets.  Specifically we'll create Script to spawn a target (if part of a set spawner) and also destroy the target (when shot). 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Blueprint Script   

In this video we'll add a Variable and create the Script needed to give our First Person Character a speed boost if they shoot a "Speed Boost" Target. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Variable

• Create a Custom Event

• Create Blueprint Script    

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Float):  SpeedBoostAdditive 

• Custom Event:  Speed Boost   

In this video we'll add the Variables and create the Script needed to spawn "X" number of targets when our First Person Character overlaps this Blueprint! 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Instance Editable Variables

• Create Blueprint Script 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Float): Target_01_Delay

• Variable (Float):  Target_02_Delay

• Variable (Float): Target_03_Delay

• Variable (Float):  Target_04_Delay

• Variable (Float): Target_05_Delay 

• Variable (Actor Class): Target_01

• Variable (Actor Class):  Target_02

• Variable (Actor Class):  Target_03

• Variable (Actor Class): Target_04

• Variable (Actor Class): Target_05 

This video is a continuation of part 1.  In this one we'll experiment with what our Target Spawner can do and recap how it all works. 

In this video we'll discuss what a Widget Blueprint is, what it's used for and give an overview of how they're constructed. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Widget Blueprint

• Navigate the Widget Blueprint Interface 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Widget Blueprint:  WBP_Overview 

In this video we'll create a Widget Blueprint to display our in-game HUD information.  It'll include score, a timer, and a health meter.

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Widget Blueprint

• Layout an In-Game HUD 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Widget Blueprint:  WBP_HUD 

In this video we'll create a Widget Blueprint for an interactive Start Menu.  From it, we'll be able to select a level and launch the game. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Widget Blueprint

• Layout an Interactive Start Menu 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Widget Blueprint:  WBP_StartMenu 

In this video we'll create a Widget Blueprint for an interactive Level Complete Menu.  From it, we'll be able to quit or restart the game. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Widget Blueprint

• Layout an Interactive Level Complete Menu 

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Widget Blueprint:  WBP_LevelCompleteMenu   

In this video we'll create a Widget Blueprint for an interactive Game Over Menu.  From it, we'll be able to quit or restart the game. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Duplicate & Edit a Widget Blueprint   

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Widget Blueprint:  WBP_GameOverMenu    

In this video we'll create a Widget Blueprint for an interactive Pause Menu.  From it, we'll be able to quit, restart, or resume the game. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Duplicate & Edit a Widget Blueprint   

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Widget Blueprint:  WBP_PauseMenu 

In this video we'll talk about some special blueprints present in all projects in Unreal Engine 4 known as Framework Blueprints.  These blueprints are utilized to determine things like what rules our game will have, which character we'll use, etc. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Locate Framework Blueprints in the Project Settings

In this video we'll create a Start Menu Level with its own Game Mode Blueprint.  In doing so, we can present our WBP_StartMenu in proper UE4 fashion and launch a level. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a New Level

• Create a Game Mode Blueprint

• Set an Editor Startup Default Map

• Write Blueprint Script 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Level:  StartMenu

• Game Mode Blueprint:  BP_GameMode_StartMenu 

In this video we'll create our project's primary Game Mode Blueprint.  Inside of it, we'll write script to make our WBP_HUD appear on screen! 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Game Mode Blueprint

• Set a Project's Game Mode Blueprint

• Write Blueprint Script 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Game Mode Blueprint: BP_GameMode_Gameplay 

In this video we'll add the Variables and Functions necessary to bind our HUD widgets to relevant data such as as score, health, and time. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Variables

• Create Functions

• Bind Functions to Widgets 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Integer): GamePoints

• Variable (Integer):  GameTimeLimit 

• Function:  GetScore

• Function: GetHealth

• Function:  GetTimeLimit   

In this video we'll add an Audio Component inside of BP_GameMode_Gameplay and then write script in order to play music at the start of our game. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Add a Blueprint Component

• Write Blueprint Script 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint Component (Audio):  Music_Game 

In this video we'll be adding a Function into BP_GameMode_Gameplay to add points to our score when called.  We'll then write a small bit of script to call this function inside of BP_Target_Parent whenever a target is destroyed. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Function   

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Function:  Add Points 

In this video we'll create a Game Instance Blueprint.  This type of blueprint persists across an entire game session and won't reset the values of any variables it contains.  Thus, it's an ideal choice for us to store information regarding what level we've selected to play. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Game Instance Blueprint

• Create an Enumeration

• Create a Variable

• Set a Game Instance Blueprint in the Project Settings 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Game Instance Blueprint:  BP_GameInstance

• Enumeration:  E_LevelSelected

• Variable (Enum):  LevelSelected 

In this video we'll create some Variables and add some script to make it so that our time limit displayed in game is accurate to whichever level the user has selected. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Variables

• Write Blueprint Script   

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Integer): Level_01_TimeLimit

• Variable (Integer): Level_02_TimeLimit

• Variable (Integer):  Level_03_TimeLimit 

In this video we'll create a Function and add more script in order have time decremented as we play. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Function

• Promote a Variable

• Write Blueprint Script   

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Function: DecrementTimer

• Variable (Timer Handle): Timer 

With our timer functionality now in place, we'll now add functionality to our BP_Target_+Time targets so that they'll add time to our game timer when destroyed. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Variables

• Write Blueprint Script    

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Integer):  BonusTime 

In this video we'll create script to make our player respawn if they die from running out of health. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Custom Event

• Communicate between Blueprints using an Event Dispatcher 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Custom Event:  Respawn

• Custom Event:  OnDestroyed_Event_0 

In this video we'll make our Level Complete Menu appear on the screen when a player has reached the designated area. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Add a Blueprint Component

• Create a Custom Event

• Write Blueprint Script      

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint Component (Audio):  Music_LevelComplete 

• Custom Event:  Level Complete 

In this video we'll tally a final score on the Level Complete Menu and make the buttons interactive. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Variable

• Bind Functions to Widgets

• Write Blueprint Script   

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Variable (Integer):  TimeRemainingMultiplier 

• Function:  GetTargetScore

• Function:  GetTimeRemainingScore

• Function:  GetFinalScore

  
  

   

In this video we'll make our Game Over Menu appear on the screen when a player has run out of time. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Add a Blueprint Component

• Create a Custom Event

• Create Blueprint Script   

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Blueprint Component (Audio):  Music_GameOver 

  
  

• Custom Event:  Game Over 

In this video we'll make our buttons interactive on the Game Over Menu. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create Blueprint Script 

In this video we'll create a Player Controller Blueprint and assign it to BP_GameMode_Gameplay.  Then, we'll add script to enable the user to pause and unpause the game. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Create a Player Controller

• Set a Player Controller Blueprint in the Game Mode Blueprint

• Create a Variable

• Write Blueprint Script 

  
  

ASSETS ADDED / CREATED...

• Player Controller Blueprint:  BP_PlayerController 

• Variable (Boolean): IsGamePaused? 

In this video we'll make our buttons interactive on the Pause Menu. 

THIS LESSON TEACHES HOW TO...

• Write Blueprint Script