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DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. Approval given by 88 ABW/PA, 88ABW-2018-4671, 20 Sep 2018.
Developed by:
Aaron Brumbaugh
Summer, 2017
Virtual Escape Room
Challenge Problems and Resources
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. The Challenge ................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1. Key Questions ........................................................................................................................................ 3
1.2. Background and Application .................................................................................................................. 3
1.3. Potential Tools ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Aspects of a Solution ..................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1. Technology Resources ........................................................................................................................... 4
2.1.1. Hardware ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1.2. Software ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2. Potential Issues...................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1. Interacting with keypad ................................................................................................................. 5
2.2.2. Changing widgets .......................................................................................................................... 8
3. Example Game ............................................................................................................................................ 10
3.1. Door Bluebrints ................................................................................................................................... 11
3.2. Keypad Asset Blueprints....................................................................................................................... 13
3.3. Widget Blueprints ................................................................................................................................ 16
3.4. 3D Modeling and Game Assets ............................................................................................................. 19
3.5. Importing Video Textures..................................................................................................................... 22
3.6. Modifying 1st Person Template............................................................................................................. 29
3.7. Lighting ............................................................................................................................................... 32
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1. THE CHALLENGE
We live in a world where video games have evolved into rich, interactive experiences that are
enjoyed by people of all ages. Video games have the capability of placing players in unique
situations, and presenting players with problems that require careful and creative thought to
overcome. This medium has the potential to create an engaging and powerful experience for
students in the classroom. During this challenge, students will utilize a variety of computer
software in order to develop a Breakout/Escape Room-style puzzle-adventure game that
teaches players academic material and concepts as they progress through the game.
1.1. KEY QUESTIONS
How can students create a non-violent video game that teaches specific academic
content standards in an engaging way?
What video games exist that teach specific content (e.g., mathematics, science, social
studies) standards?
How are video games created?
What software is best suited for game development?
How can the game determine if a player’s answer is correct? How can the game allow
multiple “correct” answers to a question?
How will information/clues/teaching be incorporated into the game so that players who
are unfamiliar with the content can learn and progress through the game?
What gameplay elements can be incorporated to make the game more fun and/or
competitive?
How can 3D models be imported into a game engine?
How do video games impact the learning of specific content material?
How can students make their games accessible to a wider audience?
1.2. BACKGROUND AND APPLICATION
Video games and their development house great potential for teaching, learning, and the
acquisition of 21st century skills. In several studies, video games have shown to increase
students’ engagement and retention of key academic concepts. There have been seemingly few
studies, however, that focus on the creation of a game by high school students and how this
development task impacts student learning.
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1.3. POTENTIAL TOOLS
3D modeling tools such as SketchUp, 3DS Max, Blender, etc.
3D game engine software such as Unity3D, Unreal Engine 4, Source Engine, etc.
Programming can be introduced through software and online applications such as
Scratch, FreeMAT, Python, etc.
2. ASPECTS OF A SOLUTION
A solution was created during the summer of 2017 by this educator in collaboration with the
Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory® (GRILL®). The solution that follows was
created within a five week timeframe. It is important to note that this is not the only solution to
the problem, nor is it intended to be the best method to solve the problem. The purpose of this
solution is to provide guidance for future use. This section details the software used to attain
the solution as well as some of the issues that were encountered along the way.
2.1. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
The following list identifies the software that this educator used to complete this Challenge
Problem during the summer of 2017 at the GRILL®. It is worth noting that newer versions of the
software or other free, open source technology may be available for students to solve the
problem. Students should not be limited solely to the software mentioned in this document.
Furthermore, students should be encouraged to look for and research a variety of technology
and resources that allow them to progress toward their solution.
2.1.1. HARDWARE
PC
- The solution used Windows 10.
- 8 GB of RAM
- Intel® Core™ i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHz
- NVIDIA GTX 750 TI Graphics Card
2.1.2. SOFTWARE
3D modeling software
- The 3D models in the solution utilized SketchUp Pro 2017, 3ds Max, and Unreal
Engine 4.
Game engine
- Unreal Engine 4
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2.2. POTENTIAL ISSUES
While working on the solution for this Challenge Problem at the GRILL® summer 2017 program,
a number of different challenges were encountered along the way. The following sections cover
some of the likely issues teachers or students may encounter when they attempt to create a
solution to this Challenge Problem. Based on how a teacher or student approaches the
Challenge Problem, as well as what tools they use, these highlighted issues may not arise.
2.2.1. INTERACTING WITH KEYPAD
When developing the video game for this Challenge Problem, there were difficulties in getting
the player character to interact and communicate with the keypad asset. This interaction was
necessary as it would allow the player to see the problem that needed to be solved to exit the
room, as well as provide the player a way to respond to the problem. The initial approach taken
to program this mechanic was to use a linetrace (as was recommended by a few resources
found on the Internet) that determined when the player was communicating with the keypad;
however, this method was unsuccessful.
2.2.1.1. RESEARCH
The issue was researched utilizing Google searches for “Unreal Engine 4 Keypad”, “Unreal
Engine 4 blueprint interaction”, and ultimately, “Unreal 4 Door Animation.” These searches led
to a variety of video and text resources, many of which proved beneficial in some capacity. A
resolution was found after borrowing selections of information from the resources found.
2.2.1.2. RESOURCES
Unreal Engine 4 Tutorial – Security Keypad Panel (video and forum comments)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB4wHlp3kYY
Unreal Engine 4 – Blueprints Keypad Tutorial (video and forum comments)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GHY17PtOBQ&t=1147s
How to make a normal door in Unreal 4 Very Easy (video and comments)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ7VbGhMDMo
Blueprint Communication Usage
- https://docs.unrealengine.com/latest/INT/Engine/Blueprints/UserGuide/Bluepri
ntCommsUsage/
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2.2.1.3. RESOLUTION
To reiterate, a linetrace was initially used to determine when a player character was within
range to interact and communicate with the keypad asset in the game. While the linetrace
could be seen physically intersecting with the keypad, it was not communicating with the user
interface (i.e., problem widgets and editable textbox for player answers.) After researching
ways for blueprints to interact with one another (e.g., 1st Person Character blueprint with
Keypad blueprint), it was apparent that there might be another way to resolve the issue
without using a linetrace. In a video on how to animate a door in Unreal Engine 4, the presenter
explains how to open the door by pressing the E key on the keyboard. In order for this to work,
the player character must be in close proximity to the door. This proximity is determined by a
box trigger that must be placed on the door. Once the player character is within the box trigger,
he/she is allowed to interact with the door (i.e., call the animation of the door). The box trigger
represents a “gate” and the gate can be opened or closed with the press of the E key. By
pressing the E key, the door animation plays. By using this line of thinking, a workaround for the
linetrace problem was found.
After removing the code using linetrace, code similar to the door animation was created. First, a
box (trigger) component was added to the mesh of the keypad blueprint, ensuring that all
instances of the keypad would contain a box trigger associated with them (see Figure 1: Box
Trigger on Keypad blueprint).
Figure 1: Box Trigger on Keypad blueprint
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Using the box trigger, it was then possible to use the “On Component Begin Overlap” and “On
Component End Overlap” events to determine when the player character could interact with
the keypad. By entering the box trigger (i.e., get close to the keypad), the player character can
press E on the keyboard and it will call the question widget to the screen and allow the user to
view the question and enter the answer. During the timeframe when this issue was solved, the
code was the same as Figure 2. This method seemed to work well with all of the keypads within
the game.
2.2.1.4. REFLECTION
It is apparent that there are many different viable solutions to the issue that arose here. For
one, a better understanding of how blueprints interact with one another and how linetracing
functions on a deeper level could have led to a solution requiring minor changes to the original
code. This issue also illustrates that there can be useful information that can be used to solve
problems by looking at seemingly unrelated issues (e.g., door tutorial).
Figure 2: Initial Keypad Code for Widget Creation
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2.2.2. CHANGING WIDGETS
Another issue experienced during the completion of this project revolved around widgets (i.e.,
the component of the project that displays images of the problems that are to be solved to
advance through the game). Specifically, every keypad within the game would display the same
problem when interacted with despite each keypad containing a different password or answer.
When applying a new picture to a particular keypad, the end result was that all pictures on all
keypads changed to the new one.
2.2.2.1. RESEARCH
The issue led to Google searches of “Changing widgets”, “Widget blueprints”, and “Creating
instances of widgets.” The searches provided some information on how to create widgets and
how they work within an Unreal 4 project. While useful, the information did not lead to a direct
solution to the issue. Contact was made with a software engineer to help fix the issue.
2.2.2.2. RESOURCES
Making an Instance of a Class Object
- https://answers.unrealengine.com/questions/174401/making-an-instance-of-a-
class-object.html
How to Change Text of a Widget From Another Blueprint
- https://answers.unrealengine.com/questions/561135/how-to-change-text-in-a-
widget-from-another-bluepr.html
Using Images Within Widgets Unreal 4
- https://forums.unrealengine.com/showthread.php?58079-Import-a-picture-
texture-in-an-UI-Widget-Blueprint
2.2.2.3. RESOLUTION
After consulting a software engineer, a resolution to the issue was found. The issue occurred
due to editing the original widget, which caused a change in all instances of the widget. To fix
this, new variables that store the various images needed to be created. In the widget blueprint,
a public variable of the Texture 2D type was created to handle the different problem images
posed to the player throughout the game (see Figure 3: Texture 2D Variable). Furthermore, a
function needed to be created that would handle the setting of the images for each keypad.
Unreal Engine 4 had a built-in function called Set Brush from Texture that could be used to set
the images (see Figure 4).
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The Set Brush from Texture function required two different inputs. The first input, Target,
determines where the picture is applied. The area of the widget that could display pictures was
named DoorQuestion1. The second input of the function was Texture, which is the image that
would be displayed in the area of the Target. The newly created Image variable was used for
this as it would allow the pictures in the widget to change based on the keypad being accessed
within the game. The Event Construct event executes the Set Brush from Texture function
whenever the widget is created, which happens anytime a user interacts with a keypad.
Next, the Keypad blueprint needed to be able to communicate with the widget blueprint. To do
this, another variable was created in the Keypad blueprint called ImageNumber (Figure 5) of
type Texture 2D, which is the same type as the Image variable in the widget blueprint. The new
variable appears in the Details panel of the Keypad blueprint when it is placed into the game
level (Figure 6). With this variable, it was possible to easily apply a unique image to each keypad
by simply dragging and dropping the 2D image that represented the problem to be solved onto
the ImageNumber variable in the Details panel.
Figure 3: Texture 2D Variable Figure 4: Function for Setting Problem Image
Figure 5: ImageNumber Variable for Keypad Blueprint
Figure 6: Keypad Blueprint with ImageNumber Variable
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Figure 7 illustrates where these new variables were crucial in overcoming this issue. Within the
Keypad blueprint, this section of code causes a new widget to be created when a user interacts
with a keypad. In order for the new widget to be created, it must set the widget blueprint and
image. To determine the image to be used, the program receives the ImageNumber variable’s
value and returns the associated picture for the keypad.
2.2.2.4. REFLECTION
The work for fixing this issue required more time and effort than was expected. A better
understanding of variable types, and also brush textures and their associated functions would
have proved useful at the beginning of the project. The problem helped this educator gain a
deeper knowledge of getting and setting variables within the Unreal Engine 4 framework, as
well as how two blueprints can work together.
3. EXAMPLE GAME
Developing a video game can be a challenging, yet very rewarding, task for students. The
development process allows students to work with a variety of software, collaborate with their
peers, engage with non-routine problems that require research to overcome, and display their
creativity. With this Challenge Problem in particular, students must also demonstrate their
knowledge of specific content standards.
The following sections illustrate a sample game (Figure 8, Figure 9, and Figure 10) created for
this Challenge Problem along with its associated code. The example presented here is not the
only way to create the game, nor is it necessarily the best or most efficient way. These sections
are provided merely for guidance in solving the problem.
Figure 7: Code for Creating Widget on Screen
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Figure 8: Sample Game Starting Location
Figure 9: Sample Game Basic Room
Figure 10: Sample Game Final Room with Video Playing
3.1. DOOR BLUEBRINTS
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One of the main mechanics in the game is to get each door to open so that the player can
progress through the level. The following screenshots highlight how this educator set up the
blueprints for the door animation. There are several ways to animate a door; however, by using
a blueprint, the work becomes less tedious. With blueprints, only one door needs to be coded
and it can be reused over and over again. It is not necessary to go through the level and
tediously program each and every door.
Figure 11: Door Mesh
Figure 11 illustrates the initial setup of the blueprint and door mesh. Starter Content was
enabled when this Unreal Engine 4 project was created. The SM_DoorFrame from the Props
folder (under the Starter Content folder) was used to create the blueprint. The SM_Door was
then added as a Mesh Component to the blueprint and parented to the SM_DoorFrame.
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Figure 12: Custom Event for Opening Door
Figure 12 shows the nodes and connections necessary within the Event Graph of the blueprint
needed to make the door move properly.
A custom event, named OpenDoor, was created so that the blueprint could be accessed by
other code in the game. In this script, a timeline named DoorRotation, was used to create the
animation for the door (Figure 13).
Figure 13: DoorRotation Timeline
3.2. KEYPAD ASSET BLUEPRINTS
Another main gameplay mechanic is that players will interact with an environmental object that
presents them with a problem and provides the player a way to state their answer. Part of that
mechanic is handled by the Keypad asset blueprints in the sample game. Specifically, the
Keypad blueprint determines when a question is displayed, takes the player’s answer, and
communicates with the DoorBP blueprint when a player enters a correct answer.
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Figure 14: Keypad Mesh and Blueprint Setup
Figure 14 shows the initial setup of the Keypad blueprint. The model used for the keypad was
created using a 3ds Max, an external 3D modeling program. A box component was added to the
blueprint to determine when a player is close enough to interact with the keypad. Several
variables were also created that were necessary for reference in different parts of the code.
Figure 15: Determining if Players is Close Enough to the Keypad
In Figure 15, the code that determines when a player can interact with a keypad can be seen.
The player has the ability to use the keypad when he/she is within the box component, and is
unable to use the keypad when they are outside the box component.
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Figure 16: Creating Widget on Screen
Figure 16 shows the code used for creating the widget after a player presses the E key when
within range of the keypad. When the widget is created, a specific problem must be set within
the widget, thus the need for the Set Image node and the Image Number variable. Lastly, when
a player interacts with the widget on screen, the input mode is changed to UI Only so that the
player cannot move their character while they are entering their answer to the question. Many
of the nodes are references to other blueprints within the project (e.g., Create Password Panel
1 Widget, Set PasswordPanelBP). These references will be set up in the next section.
Figure 17: CorrectPassword Custom Event
The last section of the code for the Keypad blueprint is a custom event (Figure 17) named
CorrectPassword that calls the OpenDoor event when the player types the correct answer into
the keypad.
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3.3. WIDGET BLUEPRINTS
Figure 18: Widget Design Setup
The widget used for the sample game is comprised of several components that were dragged
and dropped into the design area from the Palette tab. The widget consists of a gray
background, an editable text box with instructions on how to submit answer, an Image box that
displays the question for the keypad, and a button. The widget with an example problem image
can be seen in Figure 18.
Next, some code needs to be applied to the widget in order for it to behave properly within the
game. The first section of code (see Figure 19 below), determines what happens when a player
clicks the Enter button on the widget interface. The event causes a sequence of actions to play
out. First, all widgets (i.e., picture of problem) will disappear from the screen. Next, the input
mode will be set back to Game Mode Only so that the player can control the movement of their
character. The mouse cursor will also be removed from the screen so that it does not interefere
with the player as he/she navigates through the level. Lastly, the IsCorrect function is called
when the Enter button is clicked.
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Figure 19: OnClicked Event
Error! Reference source not found. shows the remainder of the section of code in Error!
Reference source not found.. The IsCorrect function takes the “Password” contained within the
instance of the Keypad and the “Password” supplied by the player and compares them. If the
two values match, then the code follows the “True” path at the branch, which will call the
CorrectPassword event (recall that the CorrectPassword custom event communicates with the
Door blueprint and tells a door to open). If the passwords do not match, then the code follows
the “False” path at the branch, and the message “Incorrect. Try again” is displayed on the
screen.
Figure 20: Calling of IsCorrect Function
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Figure 21: IsCorrect Function
The IsCorrect function (Figure 21) is not necessary to create a working game, but adds some
versatility to the way a player may answer. For instance, if a door password is set as 2, 4, then a
player would be able to type 2, 4 or 4, 2 or even 2, 4 with several extra spaces.
The IsCorrect function works by taking both a keypad’s and player’s passwords, trimming any
spaces between, before, or after any characters, converting all letters to capitals, and then
creating an array for each password. Another function, RemoveWhiteSpace (Figure 22), is also
called within the IsCorrect function for an extra layer of trimming to player answers. The
elements in each array are then compared to one another. Each time two elements match, the
value of the CorrectCount variable is incremented by 1. After comparing all elements between
the two arrays, if the value of CorrectCount is the same as the length (number of elements) of
the correct password array, then players have correctly answered the question.
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Figure 22: RemoveWhiteSpace Function
The last section of code in the widget blueprint handles the changing of questions for each
keypad in the game (Error! Reference source not found.). The Set Brush from Texture function
was used to apply a new picture to the DoorQuestion1 area based on the value of Image. For
more information on this code, see Section 2.2.2 of this document.
Figure 23: Event for Changing Questions
3.4. 3D MODELING AND GAME ASSETS
A minimal number of 3D models were created for this sample game; however, a solution may
contain more to make the game more immersive. Both SketchUp Pro and 3ds Max were used to
create the game models. After building a model, it then had to be exported as an .FBX file
before it could be imported into Unreal Engine 4. See Figure 24, Figure 25, Figure 26, and Figure
27 for pictures of the models used within the game.
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Figure 24: SketchUp House
Figure 25: How to Play Sign
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Figure 26: Keypad Model
Figure 27: TV Model
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3.5. IMPORTING VIDEO TEXTURES
The primary method for presenting clues to players in the sample game was through videos.
The videos in the sample game were .mp4 files that were downloaded from the Internet.
Despite this, it is this educator’s opinion that it would be most beneficial for students to create
their own videos to teach the player about the content. Students can use cellphones, tablets,
and computers to record and save their videos in the .mp4 format.
The following steps were used to create video textures in the sample game:
1) Ensure that a video file is stored on the computer and is saved as an .mp4 file.
2) With Unreal Engine 4 project open:
a. Right click in the blank space of the Content Browser.
b. Choose “Add New Folder.”
c. Rename the folder to Movies (see Figure 28).
3) Right click on the Movies folder and select “Show in Explorer.” This will open up
the Movies folder in a new window. Find the .mp4 file that is located on the
computer. Copy and paste the file into the Movies folder (Figure 29). Close the
Movies folder window.
Figure 29: Video in Movies Folder
Figure 28: Movies Folder in Content Browser
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4) Return to Unreal Engine 4 and open up the Movies folder in the Content Browser
by double clicking the folder. Within the Movies folder:
a. Right click in the blank space of the folder.
b. In the menu, select “Media,” followed by “File Media Source.”
c. Rename the File Media Source asset if necessary (Figure 30).
Figure 30: Creating a File Media Source Asset
5) Double click the File Media Source asset icon to open it. Set the file path for the
video by clicking the ellipsis (…) next to the words “File Path.” Navigate to where
the video for the game is located, which should be in the Movies folder. Select
the video and click “Open.” The file path should now be set (Figure 31). Click
“Save” at the top of the window and the File Media Source tab can be closed.
Figure 31: Setting File Path for Video
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6) With the File Media Source tab closed:
a. Right click in the empty space of the Movies folder.
b. In the menu that appears, select “Media” followed by “Media Player”
(Figure 32).
c. The Create Media Player window should appear. Make sure that “Audio
Output Soundwave Asset” and “Video Output Media Texture Asset” are
both selected, and click OK.
d. Rename the media player if necessary.
Figure 32: Setting Up Media Player
7) Double click the Media Player asset to open the media player and the video.
Ensure that the option “Play on Open,” located underneath the details panel, is
checked. Close the media player window.
8) Open the Content folder in the Content Browser. Open the “Starter Content”
followed by the “Shapes” folder. In this folder, left click and hold on the
Shape_Cube. Drag this shape out into the viewport. Place, resize, and/or rotate
the cube so that it looks like a monitor or TV. A model created in an external 3D
modeling program can be imported too.
9) With the cube placed, go to the Content folder and open the Movies folder. Hold
Ctrl key and left click both the audio and video files in the Movies folder (Figure
33). Drag both of these files onto the TV model placed in the viewport (Figure
34).
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Figure 33: Selecting Sound and Video Files
Figure 34: Sound and Video Texture Initial Application
10) Open the Level Blueprint (Figure 35).
Figure 35: Level Blueprint
11) On the left hand side of the level blueprint, click the “+” icon in the Variables
section. This will create a new variable. Call the variable “MediaPlayer”. Now go
to the right hand side of the screen and change the variable type. Select the drop
down menu and in the search bar type “media player”. This will bring up the
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Media Player variable type. Select “MediaPlayer” followed by “Reference” (see
Figure 36). Compile and save the code (buttons in the upper left hand corner.)
Figure 36: Media Player Variable
12) After compiling and saving, a default value for the variable can be given. On the
right hand side of the Level Blueprint, under the Default Value tab, click the drop
down menu and select the media player created earlier (Figure 37).
Figure 37: Setting Media Player
13) Left click and drag the MediaPlayer variable into the Level Blueprint area. Choose
Get when prompted (Figure 38).
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Figure 38: Getting Media Player Variable
14) Drag out from the pin on the MediaPlayer variable into space. When the search
window appears, type in “Open Source.” Select the Open Source node. On the
Open Source node, click the drop down menu underneath the Media Source
header, and select the imported video to be played (Figure 39).
Figure 39: Open Source Node
15) Right click in the empty space of the Level Blueprint, and search for
“EventBeginPlay” and select it. From the EventBeginPlay node, drag off from the
execution pin to the execution pin of the Open Source node (Figure 40). Compile
and Save.
Figure 40: Adding EventBeginPlay Node
16) Press the Play button to begin the game. If the previous steps have been
followed correctly, the video texture and sound should play (Figure 41).
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Figure 41: Finished Video Texture
It is worth noting that the above steps are for setting up a single video texture that plays when
the game is started. Some modification to the Level Blueprint code was used for the sample
game (see Figure 42). This method accommodated multiple videos within a single game and
allowed players to turn videos on and off by pressing the E key near a TV’s wall switch.
Figure 42: Stopping and Starting Video Texture with Switch
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3.6. MODIFYING 1S T PERSON TEMPLATE
After creating a game project in Unreal Engine 4, the user will be prompted to choose a
template to serve as a foundation for his/her game. There are several templates to choose from
(Figure 43). For the sample game, the First Person template was used.
Figure 43: Unreal Engine 4 Project Browser
By default the First Person template’s character is carrying a gun. To make the project
appropriate for a school setting, the character mesh and code had to be slightly modified. The
modifications can be seen in the following pictures (Figure 44, Figure 45, Figure 46, Figure 47,
and Figure 48). These changes made it possible to play the game in the first person perspective
without having a gun in hand.
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Figure 44: First Person Mesh with Gun
Figure 45: First Person Character with Mesh Removed
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Figure 46: First Person Character Event Graph
Figure 47: Modified First Person Character Event Graph
Figure 48: First Person Modified Construction Script
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3.7. LIGHTING
Whenever an object is imported into Unreal Engine 4, the lighting will need to be built. During
this procedure, the game engine will determine what space the mesh objects occupy, calculate
the angles created between light sources and the mesh objects, and construct the appropriate
shadows cast by the mesh objects, among other things.
When a building is imported into to Unreal Engine 4 and the lighting is built, the interior of the
building will be completely dark and need lights to create a playable environment. For this
project, point lights were used to illuminate the space within the building. An issue occurred
when placing point lights in close proximity with one another (see Figure 49 and Figure 50). A
few methods were tried to remedy this such as relocating light sources, resizing light sources,
and changing each light’s intensity. This often resulted in inconsistent lighting in each room.
Figure 49: Improper Lighting
Figure 50: Lighting Error Message
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To fix the lighting issue, the mobility of each light had to be changed. By default, when a point
light is imported into a project, the mobility of the light is set to Station. This setting is the
source of the error. The problem was remedied by changing the mobility of each light from
Station to Static (Figure 51).
Figure 51: Proper Lighting with Static Mobility
