Unreal Engine 4 - Making a 2D Platformer in UE4 - Tilesets

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to create a simple 2D platformer in Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) using Paper2D systems. We will focus on extracting tilesets from free marketplace assets and setting up collisions for tilesets. This guide is designed for beginners who want to get hands-on experience with UE4's capabilities in 2D game development.

Step 1: Extracting Tilesets

To begin, you need to extract the tilesets you will use for your platformer.

1. Access the Free Marketplace Assets

   • Visit the Unreal Engine Marketplace and navigate to the free assets section for April 2021.
   • Download the relevant tileset assets that fit your game design.

2. Import the Tilesets into UE4

   • Open your UE4 project.
   • Go to the Content Browser and right-click to select "Import to /Game."
   • Locate the downloaded tileset files on your computer and import them.

3. Organize Your Assets

   • Create a new folder in the Content Browser for the tilesets to keep your project organized.
   • Move your imported tileset files into this folder for easy access later.

Step 2: Setting Up Tileset Collisions

Once you have your tilesets imported, the next step is to set up collisions.

1. Open the Tileset Editor

   • Double-click on the tileset asset in the Content Browser to open it in the Tileset Editor.

2. Configure Collision Settings

   • In the Tileset Editor, find the ‘Collision’ section.
   • Set the collision properties for each tile as needed:
     • Use simple shapes like boxes or polygons to define collisions.
     • Adjust the collision settings based on the gameplay requirements (e.g., whether the player should jump through or collide with the tile).

3. Test Your Collisions

   • Save your settings and return to your main level.
   • Place the tiles in your level and test the collisions by playing the game.
   • Make adjustments to the collision properties if the player can walk through or gets stuck on tiles unexpectedly.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to extract tilesets from the Unreal Engine Marketplace and set up their collision properties for a 2D platformer in UE4. These foundational skills are essential for creating engaging gameplay experiences. For your next steps, consider adding more features to your platformer, such as player mechanics and interactive elements. Happy game developing!