Unreal Engine 5.6 Multiplayer Demo

Example Project for IADE - University of Creative Arts

This project is developed as part of the Games and Apps Development course at IADE - University of Creative Arts, Portugal, specifically for the Emergent Game Technologies and Distributed Programming classes.

📋 Project Overview

ExampleProject is a multiplayer Unreal Engine 5.6 demonstration showcasing:

• Network Programming: Client-server architecture implementation
• Replication Systems: Player state synchronization across network
• Gameplay Mechanics: Interactive collectible system with real-time updates

🎮 Features

Core Gameplay

• Third-Person Character Controller: Multiple character variants (Combat, Platforming, Side-scrolling)
• Collectible System: Interactive coins with network replication
• Player State Management: Synchronized coin collection across all clients
• Visual Effects: Particle systems for collectible interactions

Network Architecture

• Server Authority: Server controls game state and validates actions
• Client Prediction: Local feedback for responsive gameplay
• State Replication: Automatic synchronization of player statistics
• Role-based Debugging: Comprehensive logging system for network troubleshooting

🛠️ Technical Implementation

Network Components

• AMyPlayerState: Replicated player state with coin collection tracking
• ACoinActor: Networked collectible with collision detection
• AExampleProjectCharacter: Base character class with networking support
• AGameManager: Game state management and coordination

Key Classes

Source/ExampleProject/
├── Core/                       # Core game systems
│   ├── ExampleProjectCharacter.h/cpp    # Base character controller
│   ├── ExampleProjectGameMode.h/cpp     # Game mode implementation
│   ├── ExampleProjectPlayerController.h/cpp  # Player controller
│   ├── MyPlayerState.h/cpp     # Player state with replication
│   └── CoinsGameStateBase.h/cpp # Game state management
├── Collectibles/               # Collectible system
│   └── CoinActor.h/cpp         # Collectible implementation
├── Gameplay/                   # General gameplay mechanics
│   ├── EnemyCharacter.h/cpp    # Enemy character implementation
│   └── LevelCompleteArea.h/cpp # Level completion detection
├── Variant_Combat/             # Combat-focused variant
│   ├── CombatCharacter.h/cpp   # Combat character
│   ├── CombatGameMode.h/cpp    # Combat game mode
│   ├── AI/                     # AI systems
│   ├── Animation/              # Animation notifies
│   ├── Gameplay/               # Combat gameplay elements
│   ├── Interfaces/             # Combat interfaces
│   └── UI/                     # Combat UI elements
├── Variant_Platforming/        # Platforming variant
│   ├── PlatformingCharacter.h/cpp  # Platforming character
│   ├── PlatformingGameMode.h/cpp   # Platforming game mode
│   └── Animation/              # Platforming animations
└── Variant_SideScrolling/      # Side-scrolling variant
    ├── SideScrollingCharacter.h/cpp  # Side-scrolling character
    ├── SideScrollingGameMode.h/cpp   # Side-scrolling game mode
    ├── AI/                     # Side-scrolling AI
    ├── Gameplay/               # Side-scrolling mechanics
    ├── Interfaces/             # Side-scrolling interfaces
    └── UI/                     # Side-scrolling UI

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Unreal Engine 5.6 or compatible version
• Visual Studio 2022 (for Windows development)
• Git for version control

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone [repository-url]
   cd ExampleProject

2. Open ExampleProject.uproject with Unreal Engine 5.6

3. Allow the engine to rebuild the project files

4. Compile the project in your IDE

Running the Project

1. Single Player: Launch directly from the editor
2. Multiplayer Testing:
   • Use "Play in Editor" with "Number of Players" > 1
   • Or package the project and run multiple instances

🎯 Learning Objectives

This project demonstrates:

• Client-Server Architecture: Understanding authority and replication
• Network Programming: Implementing multiplayer game mechanics
• State Synchronization: Keeping game state consistent across clients
• Debug Techniques: Network troubleshooting and logging
• Unreal Engine Networking: Using UE5's replication system

📁 Project Structure

ExampleProject/
├── Content/                    # Game assets and blueprints
│   ├── Characters/            # Character models and animations
│   ├── ThirdPerson/           # Third-person game variant
│   ├── Variant_Combat/        # Combat-focused variant
│   ├── Variant_Platforming/   # Platforming variant
│   └── Variant_SideScrolling/ # Side-scrolling variant
├── Source/ExampleProject/      # C++ source code (organized)
│   ├── Core/                  # Core game systems
│   ├── Collectibles/          # Collectible mechanics
│   ├── Gameplay/              # General gameplay elements
│   └── Variant_*/             # Variant-specific implementations
├── Config/                    # Engine configuration files
└── Plugins/                   # Unreal Engine plugins

📄 License

Educational Use License

This project is created for educational purposes as part of the Emergent Game Technologies and Distributed Programming courses at IADE - University of Creative Arts.

Copyright Notice:

• Educational Institution: IADE - University of Creative Arts, Portugal
• Course: Games and Apps Development
• Classes: Emergent Game Technologies, Distributed Programming
• Purpose: Academic learning and demonstration
• Usage: This project is intended solely for educational purposes within the context of the specified classes

Restrictions:

• This code may not be used for commercial purposes
• Distribution is limited to educational contexts
• Modifications should maintain educational value and proper attribution

Attribution: When using or referencing this project, please include:

• Course: Games and Apps Development
• Institution: IADE - University of Creative Arts
• Purpose: Educational demonstration

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This project demonstrates practical implementation of multiplayer game development concepts using Unreal Engine 5.6, focusing on network programming and distributed systems in game development.