Unreal Engine is one of the most popular game engines in the world, used by developers to create immersive and interactive experiences. It has a wide range of features, including powerful graphics rendering capabilities, advanced physics simulation, and built-in support for C++ scripting. But what about C? Can Unreal Engine use C as well? In this article, we will explore the scripting possibilities of Unreal Engine with C and discover how developers can take advantage of this feature to create more efficient and maintainable code.

C Support in Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine has supported C scripting since version 4.20. This allows developers to write scripts using C, which is a popular programming language that is widely used in the game development industry. With C support, developers can take advantage of its many features, including:

• Garbage collection: C automatically manages memory allocation and deallocation, reducing the risk of memory leaks and other issues.
• Type safety: C provides strong type checking, which reduces the likelihood of errors and makes code more maintainable.
• Asynchronous programming: C supports asynchronous programming, allowing developers to write code that runs in parallel without blocking the main thread.

Using C Scripting in Unreal Engine

To use C scripting in Unreal Engine, you will need to install the C package from the Unreal Engine Marketplace. Once installed, you can create C scripts using Visual Studio or any other C IDE. Here are some steps to get started:

1. Create a new Blueprint Class: In Unreal Editor, go to “File” > “New” > “Blueprint Class”. Choose “C Script” as the class type and give it a name.
2. Open Visual Studio: Once you have created your C script, open Visual Studio and create a new project by selecting “Create a new project”. Choose “Unreal Engine” as the project template and select your Unreal Engine version.
3. Write your code: In Visual Studio, write your C code using the Unreal Engine C API to interact with the game world. You can use Blueprints to create graphical interfaces and connect them to your C scripts.
4. Build and run your project: Once you have written your code, build and run your project from Visual Studio. Your changes should be reflected in the Unreal Engine editor.

Case Studies

Let’s look at some real-world examples of how developers are using C scripting in Unreal Engine to create amazing games and applications.

The Wild by Ubisoft:

The Wild is a virtual reality game developed by Ubisoft that uses Unreal Engine and C scripting to create an immersive wildlife experience. Players can explore a virtual forest filled with animals and interact with them in unique ways. The game’s developers used C scripting to create custom AI for the animals, which allowed them to react to player actions in a more realistic way.

The Lab by Valve:

The Lab is a virtual reality game developed by Valve that uses Unreal Engine and C scripting to showcase new VR hardware and software. The game features a series of interactive experiments that demonstrate the capabilities of VR technology, including motion tracking, hand tracking, and 3D audio. The developers used C scripting to create custom physics simulations that allowed objects in the virtual world to behave more realistically.

The Unreal Tournament:

The Unreal Tournament is a popular eSports game that uses Unreal Engine and C scripting to create fast-paced action games with stunning graphics and competitive gameplay. The game’s developers used C scripting to create custom AI for the characters, which allowed them to react more quickly and intelligently to player actions.

FAQs

Q: Can I use both C++ and C in Unreal Engine?

A: Yes, you can use both C++ and C scripting in Unreal Engine. This allows developers to choose the programming language that best suits their needs and preferences.