Source Project Behind the Scenes: Transitioning DCF to Unreal Engine 5.4.4 / Server Integration

In this first installment of our Source Project 'Behind the Scenes' series, we take you through the exciting journey of transitioning the Digital Creative Framework (DCF) to Unreal Engine 5.4.4. At Oranje 44, we’re not just building a game—we’re crafting a robust and scalable framework that can adapt and evolve with the latest advancements in game development technology.

In this video, we dive deep into the process of updating our DCF project to run on the newly released Unreal Engine 5.4.4. Initially, we had planned to add a bit of 'movie magic' to demonstrate this transition, but Epic Games surprised us with the release of Unreal Engine 5.4.4 just in time, giving us the perfect opportunity to put our systems to the test.

We started by compiling our own source engine using a tutorial that we’re particularly proud of—'How to Build a Source Engine,' originally created for Unreal 5.0.8. This tutorial has stood the test of time, and we’re thrilled to report that it’s still just as relevant for Unreal 5.4.4. Following our own guide, we successfully compiled the new engine and integrated it into our DCF project.

But we didn’t stop there. Next, we turned our attention to networking capabilities, specifically the integration of headless TCP/IP servers. These servers are crucial for hosting multiplayer sessions without the need for a graphical interface, making them more efficient and scalable. We followed another one of our tutorials—'How to Add Headless TCP/IP Servers'—to seamlessly integrate these servers into our newly compiled engine.

Once everything was set up, we put DCF through rigorous testing. We tested traditional gameplay hosting, headless server hosting, and multiplayer sessions with multiple clients attached. The results were impressive: DCF handled everything smoothly, maintaining stable performance and ensuring a seamless experience for all connected players.

This successful transition and integration reaffirm the strength and flexibility of our Digital Creative Framework. DCF is now running efficiently on Unreal Engine 5.4.4, fully equipped to handle the complex multiplayer and networking challenges we plan to explore in the future.

We’re excited to share this journey with you and look forward to bringing you along as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in game development. Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights as we develop and refine DCF.

For more detailed guidance on the processes covered in this video, check out our tutorials:

Thank you for watching, and if you’re passionate about game development, creativity, and innovation, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on this incredible journey with Oranje 44!