How to Develop Games in Unity or Unreal Engine with Pure Code

Creating games using only pure code, without relying on visual editors, allows for greater control over the game's mechanics, performance, and architecture. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to develop games in both Unity and Unreal Engine using coding techniques. Both engines support extensive customization through code, offering game developers the flexibility to build highly unique and complex titles.

Setting Up Your Project in Unity

Step 1: Installation and Setup

Download and install Unity Hub and the latest version of Unity. Create a new project and select a template (2D or 3D).

Step 2: Scripting with C#

Open the Project window and right-click to create a new C# script. Name your script (e.g., PlayerController).

Step 3: Structure and Logic

highlightusing UnityEngine; class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour { void Start() { // Initialization code here } void Update() { // Game logic that runs every frame float move 0; } } /highlight

The code above demonstrates how to implement basic game structure and logic in Unity. The Start method is called once before the first frame. The Update method runs every frame, allowing for continuous game logic updates.

Setting Up Your Project in Unreal Engine

Step 1: Installation and Setup

Download and install Unreal Engine via the Epic Games Launcher. Create a new project and select a template (First Person, Third Person, etc.).

Step 2: Scripting with C

Create a new C class by right-clicking in the Content Browser and selecting Create C Class. Select a base class like Actor or Character. Name your class (e.g., MyPlayer).

Step 3: Basic Game Structure

highlight// MyPlayer.h #pragma once #include "CoreMinimal.h" #include "GameFramework/Actor.h" UCLASS() class MYGAME_API AMyPlayer : public AActor { GENERATED_BODY public: AMyPlayer(); virtual void Tick(float DeltaTime) override; virtual void BeginPlay() override; }; // MyPlayer.cpp #include "MyPlayer.h" AMyPlayer::AMyPlayer() { PrimaryActorTick.bCanEverTick true; } void AMyPlayer::BeginPlay() { Super::BeginPlay(); } void AMyPlayer::Tick(float DeltaTime) { Super::Tick(DeltaTime); // Movement logic here } /highlight

The code above demonstrates the structure and basic logic implementation in Unreal Engine. The Tick and BeginPlay methods are essential for running game logic and initialization respectively.

Tips and Best Practices

Documentation: Both Unity and Unreal Engine have extensive documentation and tutorials. Make use of these resources to understand specific functionalities. Version Control: Implement version control with tools like Git to manage your project and collaborate with others effectively. Community: Engage with the development community through forums, Discord servers, or Reddit for support and feedback.

By focusing on pure coding, you can achieve greater control over your game's mechanics, performance, and architecture. This approach requires considerable programming skills but results in highly customized and high-performance games. Good luck with your game development!