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

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a level using tilemaps in Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) for a 2D platformer. This process utilizes the Paper2D system within UE4, allowing you to design engaging levels for your games. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a foundational understanding of tilemap creation, tile collisions, and visual enhancements like skyspheres.

Step 1: Creating Tilemaps

1. Open Unreal Engine 4 and create a new project or open an existing one.
2. Add a Tilemap Layer:
   • Navigate to the Content Browser.
   • Right-click and select Paper2D > Tile Map.
   • Name your tilemap appropriately.
3. Configure Tilemap Settings:
   • Double-click your newly created tilemap to open the Tile Map Editor.
   • Set your desired tile size (e.g., 32x32 pixels).
4. Create Tiles:
   • In the Tile Palette, import your tile sprites.
   • Drag and drop tiles from the palette onto the tilemap grid to start building your level layout.

Step 2: Setting Up Tileset Collisions

1. Select Your Tileset:
   • Click on the tileset in the Tile Palette.
2. Define Collision Properties:
   • In the details panel, find the Collision section.
   • Set the collision settings for each tile (e.g., Block All, Overlap, etc.).
3. Test Collisions:
   • Playtest your level to ensure that player interactions with the tiles are functioning as expected. Make adjustments if necessary.

Step 3: Update Skysphere

1. Add a Skysphere:
   • In the Content Browser, find the Skysphere asset.
   • Drag it into your level.
2. Configure Skysphere Settings:
   • Select the Skysphere in your scene.
   • Adjust parameters such as cloud speed, brightness, and color to enhance the aesthetic of your level.
3. Playtest the Skysphere:
   • Run the game to see how the updated skysphere interacts with your level's lighting and atmosphere.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to create and configure tilemaps for a 2D platformer in Unreal Engine 4. You set up tile collisions and enhanced your level with a skysphere. As a next step, consider experimenting with different tile designs and additional gameplay mechanics to further enrich your platformer. Happy game developing!