Building an RPG with Unreal 4.x

Steve Santello, Alan R. Stagner

• Publisher: Packt Publishing
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781785281280
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Programming Games
• Index: Computer Science

Get to grips with building the foundations of an RPG using Unreal Engine 4.xAbout This Book• Utilize a mixture of C++, Blueprints, and UMG to create a role playing game (RPG) efficiently• Create reusable code chunks and elements that can easily be integrated into other games• A cost effective, step-by-step guide to building and customizing an entire framework for your RPGWho This Book Is ForIf you are new to Unreal Engine and always wanted to script an RPG, you are this book's target reader. The lessons assume you understand the conventions of RPG games and have some awareness of the basics of using the Unreal editor to build levels.What You Will Learn• Program gameplay elements in C++ in Unreal• Create custom game data for entities such as players and enemies• Create a turn-based combat engine• Design menu systems and blueprint logic• Create an NPC and dialog system• Integrate equipment and items• Develop the foundations of a saving and loading systemIn DetailNow that Unreal Engine 4 has become one of the most cutting edge game engines in the world, developers are looking for the best ways of creating games of any genre in the engine. This book will lay out the foundation of creating a turn-based RPG in Unreal Engine 4.12.The book starts by walking you through creating a turn-based battle system that can hold commands for party members and enemies. You'll get your hands dirty by creating NPCs such as shop owners, and important mechanics, that make up every RPG such as a currency system, inventory, dialogue, and character statistics. Although this book specifically focuses on the creation of a turn-based RPG, there are a variety of topics that can be utilized when creating many other types of genres.By the end of the book, you will be able to build upon core RPG framework elements to create your own game experience.Style and approachYou will follow a series of lessons detailing the elements that contribute to an RPG. By the end of the book, you will have considerably leveled up your ability to make your own game

Building an RPG with Unreal 4.x

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Table of Contents

Building an RPG with Unreal 4.x

Credits

About the Authors

About the Reviewers

www.PacktPub.com

Support files, eBooks, discount offers, and more

Why subscribe?

Free access for Packt account holders

Preface

What this book covers

What you need for this book

Who this book is for

Conventions

Reader feedback

Customer support

Downloading the example code

Downloading the color images of this book

Errata

Piracy

Questions

1. Getting Started with RPG Design in Unreal

Tools for game design

Google Drive

Google Docs

Google Spreadsheets

Pencil and paper

The design and concept phase

Concept

Design

Describing the game's features and mechanics

Tropes in existing role-playing games

Stats and progression

Classes

Special abilities

RPG design overview

Setting

Exploration

Dialogue

Shopping

Gold

The pause screen

Party members

Equipment

Classes

Soldier

Combat

Combat stats

Combat actions

Attack

Ability

After combat/victory

Loot

Experience

Experience and leveling

Stat increases

Learning abilities

Game over

Choosing the right formula

Summary

2. Scripting and Data in Unreal

Downloading Unreal

Downloading Visual Studio

Setting up Visual Studio for Unreal

Adding the Solution Platforms drop-down list

Disabling the Error List tab

Setting up a new Unreal project

Creating a new C++ class

Blueprints

Creating a new Blueprint

Adding a Blueprint to the scene

Blueprints for Actor classes

Using Data Tables to import spreadsheet data

The spreadsheet format

A sample spreadsheet

The Data Table struct

Importing the spreadsheet

Querying the spreadsheet

Summary

3. Exploration and Combat

Creating the player pawn

The Pawn

The GameMode class

Adding the skinned mesh

Defining characters and enemies

Classes

Characters

Enemies

Party members

The GameInstance class

Turn-based combat

Performing actions

Making decisions

Target selection

Dealing damage

Combat UI with UMG

UI-driven decision making

Creating the game over screen

Summary

4. Pause Menu Framework

UMG pause screen initial setup

UMG background color

UMG text

UMG buttons

The UMG inventory submenu

The UMG equipment submenu

Key binding

Button programming

Summary

5. Bridging Character Statistics

Getting character data

Getting player instances

Displaying stats

Summary

6. NPCs and Dialog

Creating the NPC Character Blueprint

Interacting with the NPC

Dialog box setup

Creating an NPC welcome box

Adding an NPC talk box

Summary

7. Gold, Items, and a Shop

Setting and getting gold instances

Item data

The shop screen framework

The item button framework

Linking the item data

Summary

8. Inventory Population and Item Use

Creating the FieldPlayer Booleans

Determining whether the inventory screen is on or off

Logical difference between the inventory and shop items

Finishing the inventory screen

Buying items

Using items

Summary

9. Equipment

The weapons Data Table

Setting the weapon and equipment screen variables

Creating the weapon button

Revisiting the equipment screen

Setting the equipment screen Text Blocks

Correcting the character stats when equipping

Summary

10. Leveling, Abilities, and Saving Progress

XP and leveling source code

Data Table starting values

Displaying levels and experience in the pause menu

Applying the correct damage in combat

Setting up the abilities array

Abilities logic

Saving and loading game progress

Saving

Loading

Summary

Index

Building an RPG with Unreal 4.x

Copyright © 2016 Packt Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews.

Every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the authors, nor Packt Publishing, and its dealers and distributors will be held liable for any damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.

Packt Publishing has endeavored to provide trademark information about all of the companies and products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, Packt Publishing cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

First published: January 2016

Production reference: 2100816

Published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

Livery Place

35 Livery Street

Birmingham B3 2PB, UK.

ISBN 978-1-78217-563-6

www.packtpub.com

Credits

Authors

Steve Santello

Alan R. Stagner

Reviewers

Patrick Dinklage

Scott Hafner

Marcin Kamiński

Alankar Pradhan

Commissioning Editor

Edward Bowkett

Acquisiti...