Core Game Setup and Basic Horror Mechanics

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. This course guides you through the fundamental processes of creating a game in Unreal Engine, focusing specifically on horror mechanics. You'll start with the basics, learning how to set up game instances, modes, states, and player controls, ensuring you have a solid foundation to build on. You’ll work through detailed instructions on how to create an engaging HUD, player controller, and character setup that sets the stage for immersive gameplay. Once the core setup is complete, the course shifts focus to character movement mechanics, like camera handling, WASD movement, and jumping. This section is crucial for designing a responsive first-person character, laying the groundwork for a seamless gameplay experience. The course then delves into specific horror mechanics—flickering lights, door interactions, flashlight systems, and realistic physics-based features that enhance the horror atmosphere. By the end, you will have created key elements needed for an eerie, tension-filled game environment. Designed for aspiring game developers with basic knowledge of Unreal Engine, this course provides a step-by-step guide to mastering game design principles. You’ll learn how to build immersive environments and mechanics that are central to creating suspense in horror games. Whether you are crafting a prototype or building a full game, this course provides the knowledge and practical skills to bring your horror concepts to life. This course is ideal for aspiring game developers and Unreal Engine enthusiasts who have a basic understanding of game development. Prior experience with Unreal Engine is recommended, but not required, as the course covers essential setup processes.