Unveiling How Epic Games' Horde Transforms Game Development for African Gamers

Epic Games’ Horde: Enhancing Build Processes for Game Development

The presentation titled How Epic Games Uses Horde to Make Builds Better sheds light on the intricacies of build systems crucial for developing video games. Although the topic may seem dry at first glance, it underscores a vital element that can make or break game development, especially for aspiring game developers and enthusiasts in Africa.

In How Epic Games Uses Horde to Make Builds Better, the focus is on the innovative practices at Epic Games, providing insights that we are keen to expand upon for our audience of aspiring developers.

What is Horde?

Horde is Epic Games' Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) system specifically designed for Unreal Engine. It not only builds code but also manages testing and distributes tasks across multiple servers, making the workflow smoother. For game developers—both amateur and professional—knowing how such a system works and its benefits can be enlightening.

Why Choose Horde for Build Processes?

One of the biggest draws of Horde is its tailor-made design for Unreal Engine, a popular game engine among developers. Unlike traditional CI/CD tools that can be complicated to set up, Horde operates almost seamlessly with Unreal projects. This synergy ensures that builders spend less time troubleshooting their CI/CD systems and more time focusing on creativity and innovation.

The Perforce Connection

Horde employs a smart connection to Perforce, an essential source control system in game development. This connection allows for stable builds by utilizing multiple servers: if one experiences an issue, development continues without significant interruptions. Such robustness is a valuable lesson in reliability for young developers learning the ropes of game creation.

Automating Build Health Monitoring

For a budding game developer, understanding what goes wrong in a build is crucial. Horde features automated notifications that inform developers via Slack when builds fail, providing immediate insight into issues. This automation simplifies tracking down problems and aids in efficient troubleshooting, thus saving time and improving productivity.

Unlocking Future Development with UBA and Cost-Effective Solutions

Utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Universal Build Agents (UBA), Horde not only speeds up build processes but also reduces costs. These innovations are vital in promoting sustainable gaming practices, something particularly relevant for emerging markets like Africa where budgets can be constrained.

In conclusion, the insights from the presentation on Horde provide a foundational understanding of how Epic Games refines its development processes using technology tailored for Unreal Engine. This knowledge can be particularly beneficial for young gamers in Africa aspiring to enter the game development industry. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, embracing cutting-edge tools like Horde could set the stage for the next generation of developers.

Stay engaged with emerging technologies and consider exploring the possibilities of game development using cutting-edge tools like Horde!