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GameDev.tv Team and Gorka Aranzabal

Fancy building your own survival game in Unreal Engine 5? This course has got you covered.

We’re talking about crafting, chopping trees, battling enemies, and building your own tropical island paradise.

You’ll master core mechanics like a modular inventory, robust crafting systems, and even advanced player gameplay.

Plus, we’ll show you how to design enemy AI that’ll keep players on their toes.

Our step-by-step guidance means you’ll develop a polished, full-featured survival game you can be proud of.

Read more

Fancy building your own survival game in Unreal Engine 5? This course has got you covered.

We’re talking about crafting, chopping trees, battling enemies, and building your own tropical island paradise.

You’ll master core mechanics like a modular inventory, robust crafting systems, and even advanced player gameplay.

Plus, we’ll show you how to design enemy AI that’ll keep players on their toes.

Our step-by-step guidance means you’ll develop a polished, full-featured survival game you can be proud of.

If complex mechanics or modular coding have been holding you back, don't sweat it. We break down advanced concepts so they’re easy to grasp and apply, helping you code smarter, not harder.

By the end, you’ll be creating modular systems like a pro.

The best part? No more half-finished projects gathering dust. Our structured approach ensures you’ll see your game come to life, one satisfying mechanic at a time.

This course is perfect for intermediate Unreal users, survival game enthusiasts, or anyone eager to create a full project from scratch.

If you’re itching to finish a game from start to finish, this is your shot.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, level up those Unreal skills, and create something epic.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction & Setup

In this video (objectives)…

Introduce course and instructor.

In this video (objectives)…

Create UE project in 5.4 third person template.

Read more

In this video (objectives)…

Any time we change our project during a lecture we will commit that change to a public source control repository for students to access. In this video, we show you how to access that content.

In this video (objectives)…

We introduce the ways that you can get help, support and contribute to the community.

Character Setup

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will setup the basic character. Including a true first person camera style, footsteps, and a holding item animation state. This will leave our player character ready for the course. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Move camera to head and rename BP.

In this video (objectives)…

Import sound, create Metasound with random pitch, add notify on animation.

In this video (objectives)…

Import holding animation and create state in Anim BP.

Island Creation

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will create a beautiful tropical island environment, where our course will take place. We will use megascan assets to build the whole island, with that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Import assets from Quixel Bridge.

In this video (objectives)…

Create new level, create a landscape, and add the sand material with tessellation.

In this video (objectives)…

Enable the Water plugin and add it to the level. Make the island’s shape and enable caustics.

In this video (objectives)…

Paint foliage, rocks, and coral to the island. Tune lighting too.

Stats System

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will create the player stats system, including health, hunger, thirst, and stamina. We wil create a separate Actor component to build modular code, and we will setup some progress bars for the UI. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Create actor component and add it to the player BP. Create the 2 functions, leaving them empty.

In this video (objectives)…

Implement code to the 2 functions.

In this video (objectives)…

Add the looping timers to each stat.

In this video (objectives)…

Implement damage , HUD animation and sounds.

In this video (objectives)…

Create new widget with progress bars and icons.

In this video (objectives)…

Create red screen animation and sound.

In this video (objectives)…

Create input and logic in BP.

In this video (objectives)…

Add icons to widget.

Inventory System

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will begin to create the inventory system, creating a structure and a database will all of our items, and an Inventory component with all of the functionaility. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Create item structure and database.

In this video (objectives)…

Create actor component and add it to the player BP. Add the database variable.

In this video (objectives)…

Add function to add items with stacking.

In this video (objectives)…

Add function to remove item from stack.

In this video (objectives)…

Create Inventory widget and grid widget.. Add the grid to the widget.

In this video (objectives)…

Create item slot widget, and implement functionality to set the icon and amount.

In this video (objectives)…

Open and close inventory widget. Add item slots when opening the inventory.

In this video (objectives)…

Select item slot, equip it into hand, update slot color.

In this video (objectives)…

Change item slot color when equipped.

In this video (objectives)…

In the HUD widget, add a layout for equipped Item.

In this video (objectives)…

Add overlay to HUD and animate it with the added item.

In this video (objectives)…

Change color when hovering. Add tooltip when hovering over item slots.

Item Pickup and Resources System

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will create the pickable items, and tree chopping so that we can harvest resources from the world. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Create Item Blueprint with model and item database variable.

In this video (objectives)…

Create interactable interface that can pick up items.

In this video (objectives)…

Create parent blueprint for resources that can mine.

In this video (objectives)…

Add more items to the database and create more resources.

In this video (objectives)…

Create Item Action Blueprint with attack and harvest action.

In this video (objectives)…

Create foliage class and chopping system.

In this video (objectives)…

Create Niagara Effect and implement it.

In this video (objectives)…

Increase item slots size in widget.

Item Crafting System

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will create the crafting system so that we can craft items and remove resources from our inventory. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Create S_Recipe

In this video (objectives)…

In the BPC Inventory a function that results in a boolean.

In this video (objectives)…

Create crafting widget, crafting slot, and resource slot.

In this video (objectives)…

Add widgets to WB_Inventory.

In this video (objectives)…

Join functionality to widgets.

In this video (objectives)…

Fill in all the crafting slots.

Inventory Polish and Character Viewport

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will improve the Inventory widgets and UI, and add a character viewport in the widget. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Add text headers, background and corners to widget:

In this video (objectives)…

Add scene capture component and create a material for the render target.

In this video (objectives)…

Add character material to inventory HUD.

In this video (objectives)…

Add hover sounds and click sounds for item slots.

In this video (objectives)…

Create animation.

Building System

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will create the building system by creating another structure, database, and actor component. This will make sure that our code is modular. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Create build part struct and database.

In this video (objectives)…

Create actor component for building. Implement basic preview logic.

In this video (objectives)…

Build placement preview.

In this video (objectives)…

Build update with traces.

In this video (objectives)…

Add placement logic.

In this video (objectives)…

Create child classes for all build parts and set pivots on meshes.

In this video (objectives)…

Implement sockets and functionality.

In this video (objectives)…

Create build parts items and integration in actions BP.

Animal AI

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will create some basic animal AI. They will have 2 states, a wondering, and chasing. They will add life into he island. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Create actor blueprint and add prototype mesh.

In this video (objectives)…

Create the wandering state and chasing state.

In this video (objectives)…

Sense player and chase and attack.

In this video (objectives)…

Add event Any Damage node and implement health and death.

In this video (objectives)…

Import tiger animations and integrate with blueprint child.

PCG Spawner

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will use PCG to procedurally spawn all of our items and animals in the island. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Enable plugin and create class.

In this video (objectives)…

Sample points and place items.

In this video (objectives)…

Sample more points and place animals.

In this video (objectives)…

Make them blueprints.

In this video (objectives)…

Drink water trace and eat items.

Day Cycle

In this video (objectives)…

In this section, we will create the day cycle system and add a sleeping functionality to a bed. With that said, let’s get started.

In this video (objectives)…

Create actor component and add it to the directional light in the level. Implement Rotating logic on event tick.

In this video (objectives)…

Create build part bed and sleeping functionality.

In this video (objectives)…

Adjust size of meat, banana, and axe.

In this video (objectives)…

So that’s it guys! You have successfully completed the whole course and now you have a survival game. So, what next? Well I recommend that you keep expanding this project, by adding more items, more functionality, expanding the island, and much more. I hope that you enjoyed the course, if you did leave a review, and check out all of my tutorials on YouTube, at Gorka Games. With that said, bye bye.

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Activities

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Career center

Learners who complete Unreal Engine 5: Build a Complete Survival Game in UE5 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Unreal Engine Developer
An Unreal Engine Developer brings virtual worlds to life. This role involves designing, developing, and implementing interactive experiences using the Unreal Engine. Learning to craft, battle enemies, and build environments, as taught by a course, is directly applicable to this role. The course's focus on a modular inventory, robust crafting systems, and enemy artificial intelligence will especially help one become proficient in developing engaging gameplay mechanics, which will be valuable to a prospective Unreal Engine Developer.
Indie Game Developer
An Indie Game Developer works independently or within a small team to create and publish video games. This role requires a diverse skillset, including programming, design, and art. Building a complete survival game in Unreal Engine 5 provides a comprehensive foundation for an Indie Game Developer. The course covers a wide range of topics, from crafting and resource management to enemy artificial intelligence and building systems. This end-to-end experience can enable an Indie Game Developer to bring their own game ideas to life.
Gameplay Programmer
A Gameplay Programmer focuses on implementing the core game mechanics and player interactions within a video game. This involves coding player controls, game rules, and interactive elements. A course that teaches how to build a survival game in Unreal Engine 5 is invaluable for a Gameplay Programmer. The course's emphasis on crafting systems, inventory management, and resource gathering helps one gain hands-on experience in creating engaging and immersive gameplay loops. The modular coding approach taught during this course enables a Gameplay Programmer to write clean, maintainable, and scalable code.
Game Designer
A Game Designer conceptualizes and designs the gameplay, rules, and story of video games. This role demands a strong understanding of game mechanics and player experience. A course on building a complete survival game in Unreal Engine 5 directly relates to the responsibilities of a Game Designer. The course helps one learn how to design and implement core mechanics, such as crafting, resource management, and enemy artificial intelligence, which are crucial skills for creating engaging and balanced gameplay. The hands-on experience gained from this course allows a game designer to prototype and refine game ideas effectively.
AI Programmer
An AI Programmer specializes in designing and implementing artificial intelligence for video game characters and systems. This role requires a strong understanding of programming principles and AI algorithms. A course that explores enemy artificial intelligence development using Unreal Engine is directly relevant to the work of an AI Programmer. The course helps one gain practical experience in creating AI behaviors, such as chasing, attacking, and reacting to player actions. The knowledge gained from the course's structured approach to AI implementation makes it highly beneficial for an AI Programmer looking to enhance their skills.
Technical Artist
A Technical Artist bridges the gap between art and programming in game development. This role requires a blend of artistic skills and technical knowledge to optimize game assets and implement visual effects. Diving deep into the creation of a survival game within Unreal Engine will greatly assist a prospective Technical Artist. The course focuses on environment design, which facilitates the integration of assets and the creation of visually appealing environments. The knowledge of Unreal Engine's tools and systems gained from the course will enable a Technical Artist to effectively optimize game performance and create stunning visual experiences.
Level Designer
A Level Designer crafts engaging and functional game levels. A Level Designer uses specialized software to arrange the environment, place enemies, and script events to create a compelling player experience. The island creation aspect of the course can enable a prospective level designer to learn how to sculpt landscapes, integrate assets, tune lighting, and design areas conducive to survival gameplay. Experience with building systems and enemy AI is applicable to the work of a Level Designer because it helps to build a full and complete level.
Unreal Engine Instructor
An Unreal Engine Instructor teaches others how to use Unreal Engine for game development, virtual production, or other applications. This role requires a deep understanding of the engine and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly. Building a complete survival game in Unreal Engine 5 provides the hands-on experience needed to become an effective instructor. This course covers a wide range of topics, from core mechanics to modular coding practices. The comprehensive knowledge gained through the course allows an Unreal Engine Instructor to teach with confidence and authority.
Extended Reality Developer
An Extended Reality Developer designs and develops virtual, augmented, and mixed reality software applications. They may create training simulations or entertainment. This course helps an Extended Reality Developer gain practical experience in designing interactive 3D environments. You might learn how to create a fully immersive simulation. The design of environments and enemy artificial intelligence could be especially applicable to extended reality game development. One might find this course helpful in expanding into the field of game design.
Virtual Reality Developer
A Virtual Reality Developer creates immersive experiences for virtual reality platforms. This role requires a strong understanding of 3D development and VR principles. Building a complete survival game in Unreal Engine 5 helps a VR Developer gain practical experience in creating interactive 3D environments. The course may be useful in learning level design, particularly how to optimize it for performance, and implementing interactive mechanics, which are essential skills for creating compelling VR experiences. The course’s design of environments and enemy artificial intelligence could be applicable to VR game development.
Serious Games Developer
A Serious Games Developer creates games for purposes beyond pure entertainment, such as education, training, or healthcare. These games often require a blend of engaging gameplay and instructional content. The experience of building a complete survival game might be helpful in learning how to create interactive and engaging learning experiences. The course focuses on core mechanics like crafting, resource management, and enemy artificial intelligence. The modular coding practices taught in the course could be applied to developing serious games with complex systems and interactions.
Game Engine Programmer
A Game Engine Programmer works on the underlying technology that powers video games. This role requires a deep understanding of computer science principles and game engine architecture. While this course does not focus on engine architecture itself, it provides practical experience in using Unreal Engine 5 to build a complete game. This experience may be useful to a Game Engine Programmer. The course touches on topics such as rendering, physics, and scripting, all within the context of a real-world project. One might find that the focus on modular coding practices and optimization helps a Game Engine Programmer better understand how to design and improve game engine systems.
Simulation Developer
A Simulation Developer creates realistic simulations for training, research, or entertainment purposes. These simulations often involve complex systems and interactions. Building a survival game in Unreal Engine 5 may be useful when learning how to develop interactive simulations. The course focuses on creating realistic environments, implementing character movement, and designing artificial intelligence. The ability to create modular systems, as taught in the course, could be useful for creating complex and scalable simulations.
Environment Artist
An Environment Artist is responsible for creating the visual look and feel of game environments. This role requires a strong understanding of art principles and 3D modeling techniques. While this course does not focus solely on environment art, the island creation portion may be useful for an Environment Artist. This course offers a foundation in using Unreal Engine 5 to build and populate a tropical island environment. Learning how to use Megascan assets, create landscapes, and paint foliage offers an opportunity to practice essential environment art skills within a game engine.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of software and systems. They work on a range of projects, from mobile applications to operating systems. Although this course focuses on game development, it may enable a Software Engineer to learn valuable skills in software creation, software design, modular code, and project structuring. These skills may be transferable to software development, so that someone can build practical software solutions informed by game design principles.

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of Unreal Engine 5, from installation and setup to advanced topics such as virtual reality and augmented reality.
Covers effects and simulations in Unreal Engine 5, providing a deep dive into the topic.
Focuses on AI and machine learning in Unreal Engine 5, providing a comprehensive look at the tools and techniques used to create intelligent systems.
Covers virtual reality and augmented reality in Unreal Engine 5, providing a deep dive into the topic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the game development process, covering everything from game design to programming to art and sound design. It's a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about game development.
Classic in the field of game design, and it's a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the art and science of creating great games.
Practical guide to writing efficient and maintainable game code. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to improve their programming skills.
Great introduction to game programming for beginners. It uses a simple programming language called Game Maker Language (GML) to teach the basics of game development.
Comprehensive guide to game development with Python. It covers everything from game design to programming to art and sound design.
Deep dive into the architecture of game engines. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how game engines work.
Explores the psychological principles behind game design. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to create games that are fun and engaging.
Comprehensive guide to level design. It covers everything from the basics of level design to the more advanced techniques used by professional level designers.
Practical guide to writing great game narratives. It covers everything from the basics of storytelling to the more advanced techniques used by professional game writers.
Comprehensive guide to game development and production. It covers everything from the basics of game development to the more advanced techniques used by professional game developers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of AI, covering a wide range of topics such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.

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