Faster Alternative: Edgegap's Unreal Engine Plugin for Game Server Hosting

Use Edgegap's plugin for Unreal game servers as a simpler approach. The plugin allows you to add multiplayer functionality and make any Unreal game playable for free. Installation takes minutes through the marketplace.

The plugin automatically handles containerization and deployment across Edgegap's 615 global locations. It reduces latency by 58% while scaling to 14M CCU in 60 minutes. Built-in DDoS protection and anti-cheat features eliminate security concerns.

This allows game developers to focus on game development instead of server infrastructure management.

The step-by-step guide is the following:

1. Install the Docker Extension: Download and install the Edgegap plugin into your Unreal project. Docker Extension

2. Set Up Requirements: Ensure you have Docker installed, built Unreal from Source and Unreal's Linux cross-compilation toolchain configured. Docs

3. Build and Push: Within the Unreal Editor, use the plugin to build your project for Linux, containerize it, and push it to Edgegap's platform. Docs

4. Deploy the Server: Once uploaded, you can deploy your game server globally across Edgegap's network of over 615 locations.

This method allows for rapid deployment and scalability without the need to manage infrastructure manually. For a comprehensive guide, visit Edgegap's integration tutorial.

Manually Adding Game Servers to Unreal Engine

Edit: Introducing Edgegap's Docker Extension, which which helps Unreal developers create builds from container! It concretely means game devs have the ability to create builds much faster (from 2.5 hours to 8.5 mins on avg.) thanks to not having to build Unreal from source. Lean more here.

The following, while accurate, has therefore just become the "harder and longer" route with no major benefits versus the Docker Extension. Kept it for visibility:

• Step 1: Build Unreal from Source

  • Create a GitHub account, connect it to Unreal, link it, and download Unreal Engine source code from GitHub. Building from source is required for dedicated server functionality. Epic doesn't include server builds in the standard launcher version.

  • Clone the repository and run Setup.bat to install dependencies. Generate project files using GenerateProjectFiles.bat. Build the engine in Development configuration through Visual Studio.

• Step 2: Create Server Target File

  • Create a new target file for your server build. Name it [ProjectName]Server.Target.cs in your project's Source folder. This file defines server-specific compilation settings.

using UnrealBuildTool;

public class YourGameServerTarget : TargetRules

{

    public YourGameServerTarget(TargetInfo Target) : base(Target)

    {

        Type = TargetType.Server;

        DefaultBuildSettings = BuildSettingsVersion.V2;

        ExtraModuleNames.Add("YourGame");

    }

}

• Step 3: Configure Project Settings

  • Modify your project's build configuration. Set the target platform to Linux for most hosting scenarios. Configure networking settings in Project Settings under Engine > Network.

  • Enable "Use Pak File" for optimized server builds. Disable unnecessary features like audio and rendering for headless servers.

• Step 4: Install Linux Toolchain

  • Download and install Unreal's Linux cross-compilation toolchain. Set the LINUX_MULTIARCH_ROOT environment variable to point to your toolchain installation. Regenerate project files after installation.

• Step 5: Package for Server

  • Select your server target in the Project Settings. Choose Linux as the target platform. Package your project through File > Package Project > Linux.

  • The build process creates a headless server executable. Test locally before deploying to cloud infrastructure.

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By following these methods, you can effectively add dedicated game servers to your Unreal Engine project, either through manual setup or automated deployment using Edgegap's services.