Today, we see a lot of games ranging from multiplayer online battles, RPG, Adventure, MMORPG, Simulation games, Arcade games, Survival games and Casino games. Visual graphics and playing experience are the main factor in any game we play.
To make this realistic experience, game developers use the advanced game development engines like Unreal, Unity, Godot. Infact, looking at the staggering numbers(23%) Unreal games on the Steam platform, Unreal Engine is set to position itself as the leading tool in realistic game development.
In this blog, we are going to cover up everything about how to develop games using the Unreal engine, costs associated for unreal engine game development, Games developed using Unreal and much more. Let’s get started.
Indie developers and Big game players are wanting to make a revolution in the gaming industry through significant technologies. But they have to be careful in choosing the reliable platforms for development.
One such game engine technology is Unreal. If you have chosen Unreal as your development platform, read this further to know how to create a game in Unreal.
First and foremost you have to practice yourself with the Unreal Engine interface. Explore the various tools, micro options for editing, default templates, edit modes and features.
You need to experiment with any dummy projects and get hands-on experience. If you have in-house game developers, lead them with experienced unreal engine developers.
When nobody knows anything in it, the development becomes seriously tough for you.
In this stage, you can bring your imagination to life by creating the environment for your game. The Unreal Engine offers a wide range of assets, textures, and landscapes by default to help you build an immersive world.
Everything is drag-and-drop functionality so you can effortlessly design the setting for your game.
Creativity matters on the stage. Let your creative thinking be applicable in designing your characters, objects, colors, movements or environment in the game.
You should not underestimate the importance of characters and objects in making your game stand out.
There is already an extensive library of assets provided by Unreal Engine to design characters with distinct personalities and objects that add depth to your gaming experience.
Sketch your idea before getting into development. Make a list of things to develop in designing that will help you save time. Develop the characters one by one and merge all of them into the connected gaming space.
In this stage, every character or object gets life in the game. Creating gameplay in Unreal Engine is done by Blueprint programming. The blueprint programming is the visual scripting system created by unreal engine for implementing dynamic AI behaviors, incorporating interactive environments, and defining core game mechanics.
You can further enhance the gaming experience with thrilling audio and visual effects. The sound system plays a crucial role in game user experience.
You need to conduct thorough playtesting, and seamlessly integrate multiplayer functionalities. If you are developing blockchain powered games, you need to integrate that in parallel with unreal engine projects.
If you need guidance on this, consult with our blockchain game developers, they can give you solutions.
After implementing gameplay in Unreal Engine, the next steps can be playtesting. Invite a set of gamers from the gaming community to test your game. Get ideas from them and work on even the small improvements.
In this beta release, you need to regularly refine the UI/UX, balance game mechanics, and conduct quality assurance in visual effects.
Make everything prepared in documentation so that you can’t miss out the valuable feedback. Also, you need to double check the latency which is essential for creating immersive and responsive games. When the game is having poor latency, the gamers lose the interest in playing further.
Once you are satisfied with your game, Unreal Engine paves the easiest way to publish your game. Export it on your local and Choose the platforms where you want to publish your game.
Common platforms include Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, or even your own website. You can also create developer accounts in those game platforms and follow their specific guidelines for submission.
Don’t forget to make a game playing tutorial that really helps players in playing.
Exactly finding the cost associated for Unreal engine game development can be tricky. People who have gone through the development stages can only know how it would cost.
In our experience as well, we see different budgets for our clients since everyone has their own idea and concepts.
Based on our prediction, we calculated the average development cost in unreal game development here. Here’s for your reference.
Category |
Estimated Cost (USD) |
Unreal Engine License |
Free for development, with a 5% royalty on gross revenue after the first $1 million |
Development Hardware |
PC or Mac with specifications suitable |
3D Models and Assets |
$1,000 to $10,000+ (Varies based on complexity and quantity of assets needed) |
Audio Assets |
$500 to $5,000+ (Varies based on the extent of custom audio requirements) |
Software Licenses |
$500 to $2,000+ (Varies based on additional software tools or plugins) |
Personnel Costs |
Salaries for developers, designers, artists, etc. (Varies based on team size and expertise) |
Marketing and Promotion |
$5,000 to $20,000+ (Varies based on promotional strategy and scale) |
Testing and QA |
$2,000 to $10,000+ (Varies based on the depth of testing required) |
Distribution Fees |
Varies based on distribution platforms; e.g., Steam or Epic Games Store may charge a percentage of sales. |
Miscellaneous |
$1,000 to $5,000+ (Varies based on unforeseen expenses and contingencies) |
1. Hollow Knight(Team Cherry)
Genre: Metroidvania, Action-Adventure
Description: "Hollow Knight" is a beautifully created 2D action-adventure game with hand-drawn art. Players explore a mysterious, interconnected world filled with challenging enemies and immersive platforming.
2. Undertale(Toby Fox)
Genre: Role-Playing, Indie
Description: Developed by a solo developer, Toby Fox, "Undertale" is a unique RPG that emphasizes player choice and interaction. The game gained acclaim for its engaging story and unconventional combat system.
3. A Plague Tale: Innocence (Asobo Studio)
Genre: Action-Adventure, Stealth
Description: Developed by Asobo Studio, the game tells a gripping narrative set in medieval France. Players navigate through a dark and atmospheric world, facing challenges that blend action and stealth.
4. The Witness (Jonathan Blow, Jonathan Blow, and Luis Antonio)
Genre: Puzzle, Exploration
Description: Created by Jonathan Blow, "The Witness" is a first-person puzzle game set on a mysterious island. Players solve intricate puzzles while exploring a visually stunning open-world environment.
5. Cuphead(Studio MDHR)
Genre: Run and Gun, Indie
Description: Known for its unique 1930s cartoon art style, "Cuphead" is a run-and-gun game with challenging boss battles. Studio MDHR developed this indie game, combining tight gameplay with engaging elements.
6. Inside (Playdead)
Genre: Puzzle-Platformer, Adventure
Description: The creators of "Limbo," Playdead, returned with "Inside." This atmospheric puzzle-platformer features a compelling narrative and a distinctive visual style, showcasing the studio's mastery in creating immersive experiences.
7. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (Ninja Theory)
Genre: Action, Adventure
Description: While Ninja Theory is not a traditional indie studio, "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice" is a noteworthy title with a smaller team. The game explores mental health themes through a gripping action-adventure experience.
8. Oxenfree (Night School Studio)
Genre: Adventure, Mystery
Description: Night School Studio developed "Oxenfree," an atmospheric adventure game with a focus on narrative and player choices. The game unfolds a supernatural mystery on an abandoned island.
9. Gris (Nomada Studio)
Genre: Platformer, Indie
Description: "Gris," developed by Nomada Studio, is a visually stunning platformer that explores themes of grief and loss. The game received praise for its emotional storytelling and artistic design.
10. Soma (Frictional Games)
Genre: Horror, Adventure
Description: From the creators of "Amnesia: The Dark Descent," Frictional Games developed "Soma." This sci-fi horror game explores existential themes and psychological horror in an underwater setting.
Making the game using unreal engine takes a lot of combined efforts from developers, game designers, technical consultants behind them. Unreal is just a tool that makes the process easier.
It has a lot of untold features, functionalities that only experienced people can know. Believing that you can develop such realistic games can be achievable.
But making that reality is only done with the help of expert game developers at last.
iMeta Technologies, an unreal game engine development company, has proven records in developing games in multiple genres.
We have shown our capabilities in previous projects right from the beginning to the end. We have people available in all areas of game development like 3D modelers, game designers, VR/AR consultants, blockchain game developers, and audio specialists.
Feel free to discuss with us for your project requirements.
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