Packt Publishing Unreal Engine 5 Game Development with C++ Scripting, Paperback

Some learners want to understand programming concepts first, others learn best by applying them to a game project. This paperback takes the project-based route, teaching C++ in the context of Unreal Engine 5 and building from a first-person shooter toward a complete multiplayer game.

Along the way, it connects general C++ and object-oriented programming concepts to Unreal-specific scripting workflows.

Everyday use

The book is designed for aspiring game developers, programmers new to Unreal Engine, and artists or designers moving from Blueprint to C++. It starts with project setup in Visual Studio, then guides readers through writing reusable code and organizing source files. That practical sequence gives learners a way to connect programming lessons with the parts of a game they are building, rather than treating C++ as a separate topic.

Where it shines

The central project begins as a first-person shooter and develops into Pangaea, a multiplayer game. Its progression brings character control, animation blueprinting, player input, collision detection, and hit processing into one development workflow. Later chapters cover UI creation with C++ and UMG, plus networking concepts such as replication, RPCs, and RepNotify. Readers can follow how individual systems fit into a larger UE5 project, from prototyping through packaging.

Compared with resources focused on theory or Blueprint-only workflows, this book puts Unreal Engine C++ scripting at the center. That makes it relevant when the goal is to move beyond visual scripting or understand how game features can be implemented in code. How does that approach translate into day-to-day learning? Each topic is tied to the evolving game, giving readers a concrete project context for the concepts.

Customer feedback describes the book as informative and praises its explanations of Unreal Engine concepts and hands-on teaching approach. Some readers also report errors, including C++ typos and code-indentation issues, so working through examples carefully is part of using the material.

Technical overview

• Type: Book
• Format: Paperback
• Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.87 x 9.25 inches
• Weight: 2.31 pounds

Questions before you buy

What game project does the book build? It begins with a first-person shooter and develops into Pangaea, a multiplayer game, connecting the programming topics to a growing UE5 project.

Which Unreal Engine topics are covered? The material includes character control, animation blueprinting, input mapping, collision and hit processing, UI with C++ and UMG, networking, replication, RPCs, and RepNotify.

Who is the book intended for? It is aimed at aspiring game developers, programmers learning Unreal Engine, and artists or designers who want to transition from Blueprint to C++ scripting.

When it makes sense

Choose this book when you want a guided, hands-on path into Unreal Engine 5 C++ and prefer learning through a game that grows from a first-person shooter into a multiplayer project. Its combination of programming foundations, engine-specific systems, and a connected development pipeline suits readers who want to put C++ concepts into the context of building a UE5 game.