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Does Steam Use Unreal Engine? A Deep Dive

The direct answer is: Steam itself, the platform and store, does not use Unreal Engine. Steam is developed and maintained by Valve Corporation using their own proprietary technologies and development tools. However, a vast number of games available on Steam are created using Unreal Engine. Steam provides the platform for developers to distribute and sell their games, regardless of the engine used to create them. Think of Steam as the marketplace, and Unreal Engine as one of many tools game developers can use to build their products. The two are related in that Unreal Engine is a popular choice for creating games found on Steam, but they are not directly integrated at a fundamental level.

Understanding the Relationship: Games and Game Engines

The core concept to understand is the distinction between the game platform (Steam) and the game engine (Unreal Engine). Steam is a distribution service, digital storefront, and community hub. Unreal Engine, on the other hand, is a suite of development tools that allows creators to build video games, simulations, and other interactive experiences.

Unreal Engine provides tools for:

Rendering Graphics: Creating visually stunning worlds and characters.
Physics Simulation: Simulating realistic physical interactions within the game.
Artificial Intelligence: Implementing intelligent behaviors for non-player characters (NPCs).
Networking: Developing multiplayer experiences.
Gameplay Scripting: Defining game mechanics and rules.

Many developers choose Unreal Engine for its powerful features, robust toolset, and cross-platform capabilities. This results in a substantial number of Unreal Engine games being released on Steam. However, games built with other engines like Unity, Godot, or even custom-built engines are equally welcome on the Steam platform.

The Online Subsystem Steam API in Unreal Engine

The provided article excerpt mentions the “Online Subsystem Steam API” in Unreal Engine. This is a crucial element that connects Unreal Engine games to Steam’s functionalities. It essentially allows developers to integrate Steam features directly into their Unreal Engine games.

This API enables features such as:

Matchmaking: Finding and connecting players for multiplayer games.
Leaderboards: Tracking and displaying player scores and rankings.
Achievements: Rewarding players for completing in-game objectives.
User Authentication: Verifying player identities through Steam accounts.
Cloud Saves: Storing player progress on Steam’s servers.
Steam Workshop: Integrating a system for user-generated content.

Therefore, while Steam doesn’t use Unreal Engine, Unreal Engine games utilize Steam’s functionalities through this API. It’s a collaborative relationship that benefits both developers and players.

Why Unreal Engine is Popular for Steam Games

Several factors contribute to Unreal Engine’s popularity among developers creating games for Steam:

High-Quality Visuals: Unreal Engine is renowned for its ability to produce stunning graphics, making it ideal for visually demanding games.
Comprehensive Toolset: The engine provides a vast array of tools and features, streamlining the development process.
Blueprint Visual Scripting: This allows developers to create gameplay mechanics without writing code, making it accessible to a wider range of creators.
Cross-Platform Support: Unreal Engine supports multiple platforms, including Windows PC, consoles, and mobile devices, allowing developers to reach a broader audience through Steam (and beyond).
Active Community and Support: A large and active community provides ample support, tutorials, and resources for developers.
Royalty Model: Unreal Engine’s royalty model (5% after $1 million in gross revenue) is considered favorable by many developers.
AAA Game Standard: Its established use in AAA game development makes it a reliable and powerful choice.

FAQs: Unreal Engine and Steam

Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the relationship between Unreal Engine and Steam:

Can I release a game on Steam if it’s made with Unreal Engine? Absolutely! Unreal Engine is a popular choice for games on Steam. You just need to fulfill Steam’s publishing requirements.
Do I need to pay extra fees to Steam if I use Unreal Engine? Steam takes a revenue share from game sales, regardless of the engine used. Unreal Engine also has a royalty model that applies if your game earns over $1 million.
Is it easier to get a game on Steam if it’s made with Unreal Engine? The engine used doesn’t affect your chances of being accepted on Steam. Steam focuses on the quality and content of the game itself.
What are the best Unreal Engine games on Steam? There are countless fantastic Unreal Engine games on Steam. Some popular examples include Fortnite, Borderlands 3, Gears 5, BioShock Infinite, and many more.
Does Valve use Unreal Engine for any of their games? Valve primarily uses its own Source engine, but they haven’t ruled out using other engines in the future.
Can I use the Steam Workshop with an Unreal Engine game? Yes, the Online Subsystem Steam API allows you to integrate Steam Workshop functionality into your Unreal Engine game, enabling user-generated content.
How do I connect my Unreal Engine game to Steam? You’ll need to use the Online Subsystem Steam API, which provides functions for authentication, matchmaking, leaderboards, and other Steam features.
Is Unreal Engine 5 better for Steam games than Unreal Engine 4? It depends on your needs. UE5 offers advanced features like Nanite and Lumen, but UE4 is still a robust and viable option. Consider your project’s requirements and your team’s expertise. The Games Learning Society can help you discover resources to develop your skillset!
Can I use Blueprints in Unreal Engine to create a full game for Steam without coding? While Blueprints can handle a lot, some programming knowledge is beneficial for complex game mechanics and systems. You can certainly create a prototype or even a simple game entirely with Blueprints.
What are the alternatives to Unreal Engine for making games on Steam? Popular alternatives include Unity, Godot, GameMaker Studio 2, and custom-built engines.
Does Unreal Engine offer specific templates for Steam games? Unreal Engine provides templates and example projects that demonstrate how to integrate with Steam’s Online Subsystem.
How do I test my Unreal Engine game on Steam before release? Steam provides tools for developers to test their games, including Steamworks SDK and Steam Playtest.
What kind of support does Epic Games provide for releasing Unreal Engine games on Steam? Epic Games offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and community forums to help developers release their games on various platforms, including Steam.
Is it expensive to release a game made with Unreal Engine on Steam? Steam charges a fee to list your game. Unreal Engine’s royalty only kicks in after your game has earned more than 1 million USD.
Where can I learn more about using Unreal Engine for game development? Epic Games provides free learning resources on their website. There are also many online courses, tutorials, and communities dedicated to Unreal Engine development. Consider exploring the resources at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

While Steam doesn’t inherently use Unreal Engine, it serves as a major platform for distributing games created with it. The Online Subsystem Steam API within Unreal Engine bridges the gap, allowing developers to seamlessly integrate Steam features into their games. Unreal Engine’s power, versatility, and strong community support make it a popular choice for developers aiming to release visually stunning and engaging experiences on Steam. Ultimately, the choice of game engine depends on the specific project requirements and the development team’s expertise.

Does steam use Unreal engine?