Master Guide

[wildicv]

Seems like a lot of the information people are looking for is spread out in the forums. So we are getting repeated questions. To help clean the mess I have gathered the most frequently asked questions and answered them below. If you have more to add please feel free to do so.

Can the Unreal Engine make so and so game:

The answer is simply yes. Please no more topics about if unreal is suitable for so and so game. It can do anything you can imagine as long as you have an understanding of how to script it out.

How to create a new empty game project:

Open your Development/Src directory and make a new directory whatever your game/mod is to be called. Then in that directory create a Classes folder. Now create a new file called main.uc . Open this file inside a text editor and put the following in.

class main extends GameInfo;
DefaultProperties
{
}

Now Open UTGame.ini which is inside the UTGame/Config directory.
At the top of the file there are two lines we need to change.

DefaultGame=MyMod.main
DefaultServerGame=MyMod.main

Change MyMod to your game name.

Next open UTEngine which is inside the UTGame/Config directory.
Scroll down till you find

;ModEditPackages=

We need to change this to our game/mod name so remove the ";" in front of ModEditPackages you should now have.

ModEditPackages=MyMod

Finally Open the Unreal Frontend and click "Make" if you did everything right you should see it compile your new game/mod.

Change the splash screen:

Modify Splash.bmp in the UTGame\Splash\PC directory. NOTE: In order to stay in legal terms with Unreal you must have the UDK Logo somewhere on your games splash screen.

Do I have to remove the UT files in order to make a new game:

No you do not have to remove anything you simply just don’t use / reference any files from UT and they will not be packaged in your game.

What directories do I use to make my game separate from the UDK examples:

As long has you don’t use any of the UT3 Maps they won’t be compiled into your final setup.exe. When you package your game only the assets needed by your game are put into the final package. So if you don’t reference any of the UDK example files they won’t be compiled in.

Where do I put my game code:

You put your game code inside your mod folder example would be. Src/MyMod

How to start makes a third person game:

Inside the editor using the unreal kismet you can setup a camera actor to follow a character. Then you would write a script to control the movement of said character as well has the movement of the camera.

When I make my own game, how to compile correctly and distribute:

First you modify the UTGame.ini and UTEngine.ini to point to your "mod”. Then you open the unreal frontend. You will need to create a list of maps to "cook". Cooking from my understanding prepares the map to be distributed. After your maps are cooked you will want to click "Package Game" this will start creating an installer "UTSetup.exe" and this is what you will distribute.

If I want publish my game to sell, how much I have to pay of license and how much per game I have to pay (royalties):

If you cannot afford the Unreal License and still want to publish your game you pay $99 up front to unreal then after you make your first $5000 usd you pay 25% of whatever you make. So if you make $10000 usd you pay unreal $2500 usd.

How do I package my game:

This is simple using the unreal frontend you cook the maps your game needs. This is done by creating a simple list in the form of a .txt file that contains each map name. Then press the make button to make sure everything is built. Finally click the package game button give your game a long and short name and the frontend will do the rest.

How do i enable DX10 in my games:

Open the UTGame/Config directory and open the UTEngine.ini file. Find the line AllowD3D10=False and change false to true.

How to get a bare install of UDK *no UT assets*:

This is simple download the stripped udk files from Mirror 1 Mirror 2
Then go to your udk directory and delete the "Development and UTGame folder" Unzip the file you downloaded into your udk directory. Finally using the UnrealFrontend open the Editor. Unreal will then compile everything * this takes a lot of time* Once it’s complete you will have a bare install. [Credit to Allar]

Video Tutorials:

Youtube Video Channel: This contains many video tutorials specific to the UDK everything from scripting to level modeling. http://www.youtube.com/user/UDKBase

[Xero]

Wow the UDK community is really taking off. I've been jump from thread to thread trying to pick up as much info as I can. It's nice to have one convenient place for beginners to get their questioned answered.
Thanks wildicv.

[twoflyingpigs]

Thanks wildicv. A informative FAQ is definitely what I need.

[Zomy]

You are my hero!
Just what i need!
Thanks a lot!

EDIT: How do i cook the maps i made? o.o

[Brexer]

You are my hero!
Just what i need!
Thanks a lot!

EDIT: How do i cook the maps i made? o.o

You do that using "UnrealFrontend.exe" in the UDK binaries directory.

[Froyok]

Thanks for this !

[Zomy]

You do that using "UnrealFrontend.exe" in the UDK binaries directory.

Yep, but when i make clic on "import map list" i dont see any map...

[Masakari]

Yep, informative thread, some good info compiled here, thanks.

[Zomy]

I give up u.u.
I cant make this thing work XD.
Somebody steal the maps!
http://img694.imageshack.us/gal.php?...1002014545.png

BTW: Sticky!

[MadGrenadier]

Wasn't it decided that DefaultProperties should be

DefaultProperties
{
}

not

DefaultProperties{
}

Otherwise it gets a silent error and doesn't read it?

Other then that, good call on the collected thread. Should definitely cut down on some of the simpler questions.

[Allar]

I love you.

[xcarface]

wildicv, do you know where I can find high resolution UDK logos to put on my splash screen? I tried google but I had no luck...
Thanks!

[chrustec]

Maybe if we all ask the lads at Epic REALLY nicely they might release a media pack for modders and indie devs if they do not already have one floating around somewhere containing high res UDK/Epic/Unreal Engine logos we can use for our splash screens and sites

[steph]

Thanks for the info!

[wildicv]

For the udk logo i just cropped out the logo from the default splash.

[Malan]

I'm still baffled why I still can't get a new blank project working in the editor, I've followed the tutorials, even this one which seemed the best one and my project isn't showing up in the content browser? I've followed the instructions here step by step, it builds my project and it even shows it loading when the editor is booting up, but it isn't showing up on the content page?

(Edit)

Okay it does seem to work, when I run a map in the editor it is blank, as in no game content, just a camera that can move around, I just thought the content browser was supposed to show you project?

[wildicv]

You have to make a new package inside your editor. Open the Content Browser and click the "New" button then just name your package and press ok. You now have an empty package area. Then import your assets into the package folder.

[lodi]

I think we need to start collecting some of this info on a wiki.

Regarding third-person: there's a 'GameThirdPersonCamera.uc' file in '/Development/Src/GameFramework/Classes' that implements a lot of functionality. I'm currently digging through related files.

Regarding royalties: my understanding is that if you make $10,000 in total, the net fees will be $99 + ($5000*0.25) = $1349 since you don't pay anything on the first $5000. If you make $100,000 in total you would pay $99 + ($95,000*0.25) = $23,849.

[wildicv]

Malan make sure you have created a map inside the editor to be used with your game. If you have a blank project *meaning you followed the instructions on this thread you wont see anything*.. Im going to make a video tutorial later on how to start a empty project.

[wat2k]

Im going to make a video tutorial later on how to start a empty project.

Wow ... I love to watch that video. plssss make it today

[G0rdon]

one thing i still don't know:

isn't it possible to make a new folder for assets,scripts,configs

like UTGame?

or do i need to use the UTGame folder for my game/mod?

i know its possible to edit ini files to load from different folders but this
would be better.

[wildicv]

You would make it like any other directory. You would just need to point your UTGame.ini UTEngine.ini and UTEditor.ini to the correct location.

[xcarface]

For the udk logo i just cropped out the logo from the default splash.

That would work for now. Hopefully the generous guys at Epic release an official package of UDK logos for us to use for the splash screen.

[wat2k]

wildicv, Pleaseee... make vdo for us . I'm counting on you.

[Sir_Brizz]

I think we need to start collecting some of this info on a wiki.

Good idea. There already is a widely accepted one

http://wiki.beyondunreal.com

We are certainly interested in suggestions to how to make Unreal Wiki more useful if it seems not useful right now.

[xcarface]

Wildicv, you need to tell us how you learned all this stuff, I am itching to make a game but don't know how to even start. What websites/tutorials/books did you use?

[thelaw]

I've followed the steps and got my game that extends GameInfo to compile but when I run the Game, it still loads UT3's game menu and asks me to pick a game type.

I was hoping that extending from GameInfo would leave me with a blank game that I can then start to build from the menu.

[wildicv]

Wildicv, you need to tell us how you learned all this stuff, I am itching to make a game but don't know how to even start. What websites/tutorials/books did you use?

The way I’m learning is just reading the forums and trying to answer every question I see. The only way to learn when there’s little to no documentation is to poke around and try things.
Ok I finished making the video last night you can find the low-res and hi-res downloads at:

Tutorial Directory.

I’m also uploading the low-res to YouTube for those who don’t want to download the video. It’s being processed and I will update the Master Guide with the YouTube link when it’s done. I’ve also updated the master guide to include the links.If you like this video ill make more as i figure out things.

thelaw: make sure to edit your UTGame.ini and UTEditor.ini. Or the engine won't use your mod.

[Crozz]

Thank you wildicv. This stuff is invaluable. I'd like to see more videos too

[thelaw]

thelaw: make sure to edit your UTGame.ini and UTEditor.ini. Or the engine won't use your mod.

Do you mean UTGame.ini and UTEngine.ini, I had edited both of these and when I play in the editor I get a fly through camera but I get UT3 when I run the game.

It seems I also have to edit my DefaultGame.ini otherwise DefaultGame and DefaultServerGame are set back to UTGame.UTDeathmatch.

When I check my Launch.log the game being run is my custom game though I'm still getting UT3. I have to pass "dm-deck?game=HCWGame" to get it to work.

Thanks for the video tutorial, I'm downloading it, hope it helps me find my problem.

[wat2k]

Thanks wildicv million times. Without this vdo, I don't know really know how to make a new game.

This vdo should be the master vdo tutorial.

Hope you will make more vdo, I love to see how to script a character controller please.

[eeyk]

The way I’m learning is just reading the forums and trying to answer every question I see. The only way to learn when there’s little to no documentation is to poke around and try things.
Ok I finished making the video last night you can find the low-res and hi-res downloads at:

Tutorial Directory.

I’m also uploading the low-res to YouTube for those who don’t want to download the video. It’s being processed and I will update the Master Guide with the YouTube link when it’s done. I’ve also updated the master guide to include the links.If you like this video ill make more as i figure out things.

thelaw: make sure to edit your UTGame.ini and UTEditor.ini. Or the engine won't use your mod.

Thank You, now finaly all that UT Stuff are gone

[jjobby]

How can I create infinite terrain and apply the sky in this engine? From what I've read in the tutorial, my only option is to create a very large interior and apply the material on it, right?

PS: Thanks for the video! It's really helpful.

[steph]

Thanks for the effort!

[wildicv]

How can I create infinite terrain and apply the sky in this engine? From what I've read in the tutorial, my only option is to create a very large interior and apply the material on it, right?

Ill look into it but hopefully someone who is a level designer pro would know how to do this if not ill look into it.

Thanks wildicv million times. Without this vdo, I don't know really know how to make a new game.This vdo should be the master vdo tutorial. Hope you will make more vdo, I love to see how to script a character controller please.

Do you mean as in controlling a character as in WASD movement etc. Can you be a little more specific?

[Brexer]

How can I create infinite terrain...

Take a look here

http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/LevelStreamingHowTo.html
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Level...ngVolumes.html

[wat2k]

Ill look into it but hopefully someone who is a level designer pro would know how to do this if not ill look into it.



Do you mean as in controlling a character as in WASD movement etc. Can you be a little more specific?

Yes ,some basic movement. How to code WASD movement and may be left mouse click to punch.
Thank you ,, (and sorry If I ask too much)

[Loki Jam]

doesn't create the default character with a gun anymore, how do i fix this?

[xcarface]

wildicv, thanks you so much for this video!!!! you rock!

[xcarface]

Guys, I found this link floating in the forum---> http://www.icecreamyou.com/ut3#1
It has a really good compilation of different tutorials. Here is a list of the sections they talk about:

Introduction to Mapping: Theory, Technique, Time, Tips
The Basics
Lighting
Effects
Movement with Movers
Terrain
Item Placement and Advanced Bot Navigation
Kismet
Materials
Advanced Techniques
Beyond UnrealEd: External Content, UnrealScript, and Modding
Help and Resources