Is multiplayer technology just for games?

As you have read so far, multiplayer networking is an incredibly powerful tool for creating immersive and entertaining games. However, you may be wondering whether this technology is just about gaming.

The short answer is no.

The networking technology available in game engines such as Unreal Engine can be an incredibly useful tool beyond just gaming. Collaborating remotely in real time can have a huge impact on productivity and can be applied to almost any type of project, ranging from educational purposes to architecture, up to cinematography.

Cinematography

Multiplayer technology has become more and more important in movie productions with the advent of virtual production (VP).

VP is a workflow that combines computer-generated imagery (CGI), motion capture, and real and virtual assets combined in a real-time visualization. VP enables content creators (usually filmmakers) to have more efficient and cost-effective productions.

One of the best examples of multiplayer technology used in a VP pipeline is virtual scouting, which is the process of exploring and evaluating potential shooting locations without leaving their own studios. This is usually leveraged by a mix of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

A good example of using Unreal Engine in VP can be found in The Mandalorian series for the streaming service Disney+.

Architecture

Unreal Engine can be used in architecture to create real-time interactive visualizations of architectural projects. These simulations can be run on a multiplayer networking system providing online collaboration capabilities between architects. During the design process, architects can use Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in a networked system to access the same model and make changes simultaneously, being more collaborative and efficient.

Real-time rendering software with multi-user capabilities helps designers and architects connect with stakeholders in every phase of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) life cycle, enabling faster, better communication.

Reflect (https://unity.com/products/unity-reflect), a service developed by Unity Technologies, is a good example, letting users experience virtual environments with a mix of 3D rendering, VR, and AR.

Education

Unreal Engine’s multiplayer capabilities can be an amazing tool for educators and students, providing immersive and interactive learning experiences. Any teacher with some practical knowledge of the game engine can create a virtual classroom where students can interact with each other in real time.

Games such as Fortnite and its Fortnite Creative version (https://www.fortnite.com/creative) have been used lately as an educational tool in many schools, letting students develop problem-solving skills and engaging them in a fun way.

Unreal’s Collab Viewer template

The Unreal Engine Editor has a couple of excellent templates that can be immediately applied as a networked collaborative environment: Collab Viewer for Architecture and Collab Viewer for Automotive, Product Design and Manufacturing.

In Figure 1.4, you can see Collab Viewer for Architecture selected and ready to be generated:

Figure 1.4 – The Collab Viewer template selected in Unreal Editor

These project templates provide an amazing starting point for collaborative industrial and architectural projects; everything has already been set up (even a login panel to access the application), so all you have to do is add your own environment and export the application.

As a teacher, I have often used these Unreal Engine templates as a quick way to create multiplayer educational experiences such as virtual museums or for displaying students’ projects.

Figure 1.5 shows the application in action emulating three users on a single machine (don’t worry, we will get back to this very soon!).

Figure 1.5 – Collab Viewer in action

Knowing how to use Collab Viewer and its many features (VoIP, real-time annotations, VR mode, etc.) is beyond the scope of this book, but if you are interested in this topic, Epic Games has an exhaustive section in the Unreal Engine documentation: https://docs.unrealengine.com/5.1/en-US/collab-viewer-templates-in-unreal-engine/.