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Creating a jetpack in Unreal Engine 4Toolbox
Use Unreal Engine 4’s Blueprint system to
create your own dizzying jetpack mechanicn issue 13, we looked at making
an Overwatch-style blink ability in
Unity; this time, let’s turn to Unreal
Engine 4, and take to the skies with
a jetpack mechanic. By moving over
to UE4, we can look at another way of scripting
your logic, since UE4 uses its own Blueprint
system. This is often referred to as a Visual
Scripting Language, because it replaces code
with nodes that link together to build logic.
This allows game designers to quickly prototype
ideas and mechanics.
The first thing to do is download the Epic
launcher that will give us access to the Unreal
Engine. This is the same launcher that you
can use to purchase games from, so if you
own Fortnite, then you’ll have access to the
launcher already. If not, head to wfmag.cc/
unreal and follow the registration process.
Install the launcher as you would with any other
application, launch it, and fill in your login details
as applicable.
On the bottom of the list on the left, you’ll
see text that reads Unreal Engine. Click on it,
and then click Library at the top of the launcher
menu. You should be presented with some
subheadings; next to Engine Versions, select the
+ symbol and choose the most recent version- at the time of writing, this is 4.21.2, but your
Creating a
jetpack in
Unreal Engine 4
I
version may differ. Next, click Install to start the
download process. Now you can start the engine
for the first time by clicking Launch.
You’ll now see the Unreal Project Browser
window; this will allow you to select existing
projects, or in our case, create a new one. Select
the New Project tab and then pick the Blueprint
tab. You’ll be presented with several templates
designed to get you started on your first project.
We’re going to select the First-Person template,
as this gives us a basis for our Jetpack mechanic.
You can leave the settings for the project
as is, but be sure to fill in the name of your
project with something easy to recognise – for
example, Jetpack – and then click Create Project.
It may take a few moments for the project to
be generated.AUTHOR
STUART FRASER
Stuart is a former designer and developer of high-profile
games such as Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, and also worked
as a lecturer of games development.MORE HELP
For a more specific tutorial,
you can select the mortarboard
icon on the top-right of the
UE4 editor window. This is
a detailed guide of all the
windows and their roles within
the development process. ^ All versions of UE4 you’ve downloaded will appear here, along with any
projects you have in development.