Overview

Create your own custom video game that you can share and play with friends. In this class, your instructor, Lucas Ridley, will teach you how to use Unreal Engine to make an entire video game using game logic, a timer and obstacles for any video game character to try to conquer. Created for animators who are ready to dive into the deep end of video game creation, each lesson will bring you closer to a finished video game that you can share and play with your friends in a timed obstacle course. With Lucas as your guide, you’ll: - Create a player start from scratch - Connect a custom Metahuman player to your game - Set up state machines for your character like crouching - Add an intro cinematic, timer and obstacles like rotating objects and danger areas Plus, you’ll get a behind the scenes look at how Lucas would design a short obstacle course video game as a full-time 3D animator. Whether you’ve always dreamed of creating video games for a living or just want to put your 3D animation skills to the test with an interactive and shareable project, you’ll leave this class with a customized video game that you can share in your portfolio, with a potential employer or just with your friends. To take this class, you should have intermediate knowledge of Unreal Engine so that you can navigate the software with ease. In addition to the Unreal Engine software, you’ll also need a computer and a three button mouse. Instructor bio: A popular animation teacher, Lucas Ridley first got into 3D animation when searching for a way to work on film projects with realistic characters, captivating settings and riveting storylines without needing to scout a location, get filming permits, hire actors and rent expensive equipment. Now a professional 3D animator and filmmaker, Lucas has been able to work on movies like Avengers Infinity War and Disney’s Aladdin as well as video games like The Last Of Us Part 2 and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League—right from his desk. After building a successful career, Lucas wants to share how you can use 3D animation to create your own films or video games.

Syllabus

Introduction & Core Setup

Begin your journey into Unreal Engine by laying the technical groundwork for your game world. In this module, you’ll create a new project, explore essential tools, and establish a basic playable environment. You'll also connect a custom playable character and set up a starting point—foundational steps toward building an interactive experience.

Character State Machine

Dive into the core of player control by building a state machine for your character. This module focuses on setting up animations and transitions between movement states like idle, walking, and crouching. You'll learn how to configure and test the state machine to ensure responsive, fluid behavior based on player input.

Gameplay Flow & Logic

Bring your game to life with dynamic elements that engage the player. This module guides you through integrating game logic—such as timers, obstacles, and danger zones—while adding cinematic polish with an animated intro sequence. You'll design interactive moments that shape the pacing and challenge of gameplay.

Finalizing & Sharing Your Game

Complete your project by packaging your game into a playable format for sharing or showcasing. You’ll reflect on your creative process, identify areas for growth, and learn best practices for deploying your finished game. By the end of this module, your custom Unreal Engine game will be ready to play and distribute.