GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

GAV4002-B History and Conventions of Computer Games

The Unreal Element
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Labs
 Log in to system
 Run the UE4 Launcher
 Load engine
 (Wait there!)

 Engine Number and version (4.xx.x)

I want to know how out of date these are, so I can get “IT Services” to update them!

 Hands Up For…
 4.20 (eyy)
 4.27.1
 4.27.2
 4.27.3
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Folder Locations
 UE4 runs as default “C:\Users \”UserName” \Documents \Unreal Projects“

 We want it to be somewhere much shorter than that because of a compiler

“feature” (read: bug)

 If you have a USB, use it, if not put it on the root of your H:\ drive

 (this guide will help

https://www.worldofleveldesign.com/categories/ue4/ue4-change-move-project
-folder.php
)

 We want you to be able to take it with you! Backups are ESSENTIAL!

 YOU WILL LOSE WORK!!

 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Data Backups
 Implementation of content is as close to industry as we can get here

 Seemingly each machine has a personality, they’re all the same, but different,
but still the same.

 You may find differences in speed, network download speed, mouse dpi, and
loading times, some machines may be more stable than others, some may
not work at all. Some may be really greasy and disgusting (The Story of A1)

 Always have a 3 point backup: one on your profile, one on usb, and one on
OneDrive/ google drive

 No excuses for lost content (you wont get extensions for something you
should have!!
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Autosave
 By default, UE4 does an auto save every 10 minutes

 It can slow things down a lot – you may want to change/ disable this feature

 (how to disable it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD1_uQoR9Ts

 (how to change time/ frequency)

https://docs.unrealengine.com/en-US/Engine/UI/EditorSettings/index.html

 It will always seem to trigger at the worst possible moment. (Compiling,

saving, building) and has a good chance to freeze and crash
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Example Pieces
 The Eye Candy level demo.

 A step by step on how to do game environments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDWefOaiBaY&index=4&list=PLsPHRLf
6UN4m1LQhNlRM22np4-4bIcDa4

 This is pretty, but ultimately not a game,

 DO NOT HAND THIS IN AS YOUR FINAL PIECE,

 However check out his other content, its rather good! (

https://www.youtube.com/user/OnlineMediaTutor/playlists)
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Further Examples
 Beginner Content

 General/Basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0qNO6_xPx0

 Open door with E –Key

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlhaO7M4tOo

 Light Switches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWv4tylDokM
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Advanced Content
 For more of a challenge

 Door to next Scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LggvN6GZ3G4

 Light Flicker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZMcZqL1Eqw

 Character Animations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPdPmys9JWY
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

Final Ideas
https://docs.unrealengine.com/en-US/index.html

 This is the Unreal Ed 4 Documentation home.

 It can answer questions pretty well.

 However,

 DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE (insert favourite search engine here)!!!

 20% of this module will be almost constant aggressive googling of errors and
“how to” guides to make things work.

 Rob doesn’t have all the answers, but can probably find them!
 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

A few Hints…
 The marking team (Me, Pete and “External”) like new and unique stuff.

 I (Rob) like racing games (as some of you will know already) and 2d side
scrollers.
 Pete likes FPS’s and platformers.
 “External” Likes Puzzle Games and 3d platformers.

 We don’t want “Deathmatch” content, anything that resembles a MOBA, or

anything built for VR.

 To reiterate, it is IMPOSSIBLE to make “MOBA” or “network play multiplayer

games” on the University network. Please don’t attempt this, the network
security will not let this work

 Carl’s Example – Crash 1 Boulder race!

 GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

A bit of Fun: The Kill Counter

 Every time UE4 crashes

 Stand up, hold you hand in the air, say “Unreal Crashed!”

 Did you backup before it?

 Did you lose anything?

 We will keep a running tally

 The current record is 22 times and 4 lost hours work during one lab session
for one user!
(There may be a prize for the most crashes in class at the end of term)
GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352

 42

Questions?
GAV4002-B – History and Conventions Of Computer Games - University of Bradford - Designed by Rob Redman - UB 90024352