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From Fortnite to Your First Game: A Guide to Game Development

/* by Tirth Bodawala - Jun 28, 2023 */

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Are you fascinated by the world of online gaming and aspire to create your own game? If so, let's deep dive into the tech stack of one of the most popular games in recent years - Fortnite. We'll break down its core technologies and provide resources to help you get started in game development. Also, we'll discuss how Atyantik Technologies can be your ally in creating robust APIs to support large-scale games like Fortnite, even if you are new to game development.

From the vantage point of a software development company like Atyantik Technologies, the world of game development can seem like a different universe. Even though we don't create games, we are amazed at what game developers accomplish, and we're intrigued by the technology stacks they use. Today, we're focusing on the tech stack behind Fortnite, one of the most popular games in recent history.

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is a game developed by Epic Games, first released in 2017, and has since gained massive popularity with millions of players worldwide. It's known for its vibrant visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and the ability for players to "build" within the game, creating structures in real-time as part of their strategy.

The incredible success and transformative impact of Fortnite could not have been possible without the tireless dedication, creativity, and ingenuity of the team behind it. The development team at Epic Games deserves immense praise for not only creating a game but a social platform that has captivated millions of players worldwide.

Their commitment to innovation and constant improvement is evident in the way Fortnite continuously evolves, offering fresh experiences and unique in-game events that keep players engaged and invested. This level of dedication requires a deep understanding of the gaming landscape, a keen eye for detail, and a willingness to push boundaries - traits that the Epic Games team has exhibited in spades.

It's also important to commend the technical prowess of the team. From developing the game in the new Unreal Engine 4 to the implementation of their robust Epic Online Services, their technological contributions have been significant not just for Fortnite, but for the broader gaming industry. The set of cross-platform gaming services they've developed, originally built for Fortnite, are now available for free to other developers, showcasing their commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the industry.

In essence, the Epic Games team has not just created a game, but they've set new standards in the gaming industry and paved the way for future innovations. Their hard work and dedication are indeed commendable and serve as an inspiration to game developers worldwide.

Fortnite's Tech Stack

Fortnite was developed using several technologies. Let's explore the main ones:

Unreal Engine 4

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At the heart of Fortnite is the Unreal Engine 4, a game engine developed by Epic Games. This engine was used to create the stunning visuals and immersive gameplay that players love. It provides tools for creating interactive software, particularly video games, and is known for its high degree of portability. Fortnite was initially started in the Unreal 3 engine, but as the developers progressed, they saw the opportunity to work in several of the new feature sets and scripting language offered by Unreal 4.

C++ and Blueprints

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The core game logic of Fortnite is written in C++, a powerful language that provides control over system resources. Fortnite also uses Unreal Engine 4's Blueprint system, a visual scripting system that allows game designers to create game mechanics and interactive systems without writing code.

Epic Online Services (EOS)

Epic Online Services.png

EOS is a set of cross-platform gaming services that help game developers implement functionality like authentication, player progression tracking, matchmaking, voice chat, statistics, anti-cheat, and more. These services were originally built for Fortnite and are now available for other game developers to use for free.

Other Tools

In addition to these core technologies, Fortnite likely uses a variety of other tools for aspects such as 3D modelling (possibly using Maya or 3D Studio Max), sculpting (perhaps with ZBrush or Mudbox), and textures/graphics (likely using the Substance software set).

Starting a Career in Game Development

If you're interested in starting a career in game development, there's no better time than now. Start by learning a programming language like C++, and then get your hands dirty with a game engine like Unreal Engine 4 or Unity. From there, consider studying more specialized topics like 3D modelling or network programming. And of course, don't forget to make games! There's no substitute for practical experience.

How Atyantik Technologies Can Help

While Atyantik Technologies doesn't currently have experience in game development, our expertise in creating robust APIs can support large-scale games. We can help create the backend services that power your game, handling tasks like user authentication, data storage, and real-time updates.

Resources

Sources:

  1. Fortnite
  2. Fortnite - Wikipedia
  3. Unreal Engine 4 - Wikipedia
  4. Epic Online Services - Epic Games
  5. Epic Games will release network tools used in Fortnite