This book explores the use of Unreal Engine 4.x for development of real-time digital interactive contents to be used in computerized games or simulations. The engine is to be considered in three main iterations; from the basic use of the engine to build games and simulation content out of the box, to intermediate design of interactive content by building on the pre-supplied contents from the base engine, and through advanced implementations geared towards custom made contents and networking and multiplayer settings.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

UNREAL TECHNOLOGY BASICS: INTRODUCTORY DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES Setting Up Unreal Project Templates Introduction Unreal Project Types Blank Projects and Content Migration First Person Projects Third Person Side Scroller Top Down Templates Summary Exercises Introduction to Level Design in Unreal Introduction and Objectives Establishing the Geometry Improving the Level Aesthetics with Materials Refining the Geometry and Adding Meshes Refining the Level with Lighting Adding Functionality Summary Exercises Unreal Blueprints Introduction to Unreal Blueprints A Tour of Unreal Blueprint Editor Types of Blueprints Variables, Functions, and Events Class Blueprints Vs. Level Blueprints Construction Script Components Mode Creating Your Own Class Blueprints User Input and Interaction Summary Exercises Materials in Unreal Technology Introduction What is a Material Unreal Material Editor Physically Based Materials in Unreal Engine 4 Anatomy of an Unreal Engine 4 Material Material Expressions in Unreal 4 Summary Exercises MAKING GAME WORLDS STAND OUT: INTERMEDIATE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS Advanced Material Concepts Introduction More About Unreal Engine's Shading Models Material Blend Modes More Advanced Material Expressions Blends Physically Based Materials In Unreal Engine 4 Material Functions in Unreal Engine 4 Material Attributes Expressions Layered Materials Material Instances and Dynamic Material Modifications Decals Post Process Materials Refraction and Reflection Summary Visual Effects in Unreal Introduction Anatomy of Visual Effects Unreal Cascade Particle System Editor Particle Specific Materials Setup CPU-Based Sprite Emitters GPU-based Sprite Emitters Working with Sub UVs Particle Type Data Modules Summary Exercises Designing Terrains and Outdoor Environments Introduction to Landscapes Landscape Setup Landscape Materials Editing Landscapes Landscape Splines Foliage and Foliage Editor Water in the Landscape Summary Exercises EXAMPLE GAMES: ADVANCED GAME DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS Advanced Blueprint Concepts Introduction Communication Between Blueprints Chapter Synopsis Creating The HUD Saving and Loading Game Data Summary A Top-Down Game With Blueprints Synopsis Setting Up the Level Character, Controller and Game Mode Blueprints Character Movement and User Input Projectile Class Blueprint and Functionality Creating the Enemy Class and Implementing Damage Implementing Game Over!!! AI and Enemy Spawning Particle Systems and Visual Effects Summary Appendices: Unreal Engine 4 Material Expressions Reference Introduction Atmosphere Expressions Color Constant Expressions Coordinate Expressions Depth Expressions Font Expressions Function Material Attributes Expressions Math Expression Parameters Expressions Particles Landscape Texture Utility Vector Operations Vector Expressions Distributions in Unreal Engine 4 Introduction Float Distributions Vector Distributions The Curve Editor in Unreal Engine 4 Introduction Curve Editor Layout Curve Editor Controls Interpolation Modes References Index.