UE4 Particle Cannon

March 2020

Video Demo

Github Code
Project Writeup

Summary

As a project to learn how to use Unreal Engine 4 and its graphics systems to their fullest potentials, we decided to recreate Zarya's Particle Cannon from Overwatch. In the end, we managed to recreate two of the cannon's effects, namely the burst grenade launcher and the laser beam. Throughout the project, we had a lot of fun (and difficulty) learning the intricacies of UE4's Blueprints and C++ implementations, as well as its new Niagara particle system, which had not yet been officially released or documented.

Team: Alfred Lam, Art Parkeenvincha, Terence So

Takeaways

  • UE4 Blueprints and C++- I learned how UE4 utilizes Blueprints that can inherit from C++ classes, as well as the code macros that the engine uses to make C++ class members and methods available in the editor and blueprint graphs. I also gained familiarity with the engine's gameplay architecture, and the relationships between Actors, Controllers, Gamemodes, and the other main classes of the engine.
  • Niagara Particle Editor - As the main focus of the project, I spent a lot of time learning the Niagara particle system in the engine, which can be used to create modular, complex particle effects in the engine. Using a combination of UE4 blueprints and code, I can add specifically designed visual effects to gameplay that enhance the game, using just the in-editor Niagara system.