Wireframe 2019

wfmag.cc \ 37

Creating a jetpack in Unreal Engine 4

Toolbox

to the right of the FPS variable we added, and
pick Get Velocity.
Moving back the last Branch node we
created, let’s drag out from the True arrow and
search for a Launch Character node. We’ll tell
the node about our character, so select the
value Target pin and left-drag out, search for the
Get Player Character node, and place it. Now
right-click on the node on the words Launch
Velocity and select Split Struct Pin as this will
allow us to set a force in one direction only. We
now select an open space on the Event Graph
and search for another division node – again,
this will appear as float / float in the search.

For the top type-in value on the division node,
change this from 0.0 to 1.0 and then plug in the
most recently created FPS variable to the bottom
pin of this node.
Now left-drag from the return value pin of the
division node and search for a multiplication
node, which should show as float float. We
should have linked the division node to the top
pin, and we want to type in the value of 60.0
to replace the value of 0.0. Select the velocity
variable, left-drag out from the return value, and
search for another multiplication node – again,
pick float float as our option. Finally, plug in
the return value from the other multiplication
node into the one we just created, so into the
bottom pin below the velocity variable. With

all that done, drag out from the return value

on this same multiplication node and plug this

into the Launch Velocity Z pin of the Launch

Character node.

We’re now ready to run a final compile on

the blueprint. We can then select the tab called

FirstPersonExampleMap, which is our level,

and preview our final mechanic by pressing the

SPACE key. All we need to do then is select the

Play icon from the viewport Toolbar. We can

use up all our jetpack fuel to gain maximum

height, or if we tap SPACE, we can hover for

a longer distance. There’s obviously room for

improvement, as we could add a particle effect

to the jetpack, or some HUD elements to show

fuel usage – really, the sky’s the limit.

FREE STUFF

Epic has several free asset

packs that include elements

from such games as Paragon

and Infinity Blade. The studio’s

also made several deals with

content creators to give away

marketplace content every

month. This is extremely

useful when prototyping your

own creations, and can be

found in the Marketplace

under Free content.

“We could add a particle effect

to the jetpack, or some HUD

elements to show fuel usage”

 Jetpacks have a huge impact

on mechanical – and

fun-related – aspects.

 The completed logic

for our jetpack is now

in place: we’re finally

ready to ascend.