Overview

This project-based course empowers learners to design, develop, and implement a complete 2D-style arcade shooter game using Unreal Engine’s Blueprint system—no coding required. Through four progressive modules, students will configure core gameplay systems, construct reusable Blueprint classes, and apply loop-based logic to create responsive, scalable mechanics. Each module focuses on a key area of game development: input handling, camera control, object spawning, damage systems, and material feedback. Participants will begin by setting up project environments, binding user inputs, and structuring controller logic. They will then construct fixed camera systems, develop obstacle hierarchies, and apply data-driven control flows using Structs, Enums, and Arrays. Later lessons focus on building asteroid actors, configuring health and collision systems, and managing actor lifecycles with timers and destruction events. Learners will also explore applying material blend modes and transparency techniques to enhance visual design. By the end of this course, students will be able to: • Create modular and reusable Blueprints for common arcade mechanics • Apply flow control structures such as loops and conditional execution • Design flexible actor behavior using class inheritance and editable properties • Implement real-time interactions, damage logic, and spawn timing • Analyze gameplay systems for performance and responsiveness This course is ideal for aspiring game developers, designers, and technical artists seeking a hands-on introduction to gameplay logic without writing C++ code. All concepts guiding learners to apply, analyze, construct, and evaluate their own game systems in Unreal Engine.

Syllabus

Lighting, Interactions, and Wall Blueprints

This module introduces learners to the foundational concepts of working with lights and interactive elements in Unreal Engine using Blueprints. Students will explore how to toggle light visibility, configure various light types like Spot Lights, and create reusable blueprint classes for dynamic and modular level design. Through structured lessons, participants will also learn to incorporate player input, expose editable light attributes, and implement construction scripts to enhance design-time control and efficiency. By the end of this module, learners will be able to create interactive, customizable, and reusable lighting blueprints for immersive in-game environments.

Blueprint Class Design and Structuring

This module explores the structuring and organization of Blueprints in Unreal Engine, focusing on class hierarchy, reusable data structures, and execution logic. Learners will gain practical knowledge on customizing Blueprint class hierarchies, creating and managing Structs for organized data handling, and implementing Enums to control execution flow. The lessons emphasize modular design, efficient scripting, and data-driven logic to enhance Blueprint scalability and maintainability in real-world projects.

Working with Arrays and Loops

This module introduces the foundational concepts of handling arrays and implementing loop structures in Unreal Engine Blueprints. Learners will explore the creation and manipulation of arrays, use different types of loops such as For Loops, For Each Loops, and While Loops, and apply them to automate repetitive tasks like placing static meshes and managing data-driven gameplay logic. The module emphasizes practical applications like spawning multiple actors, dynamic placement using indexing, and flow control techniques to enhance performance and interactivity in level design.

Arcade Shooter Project

This module guides learners through building a simple arcade-style shooter game using Unreal Engine Blueprints. Starting with player setup and input configurations, the lessons cover camera systems, obstacle design, asteroid behavior, damage handling, spawning systems, and material effects. Learners will progressively design and implement functional game mechanics by creating reusable Blueprints, handling collisions, applying visual feedback, and managing actor lifecycles. The module concludes with performance-aware spawning and health systems for a complete arcade experience.