Do I Need To Know C++ For Unreal Engine? The Updated 2025 Guide

Quick Answer: While C++ isn’t strictly required for Unreal Engine development thanks to Blueprint visual scripting, learning it unlocks advanced capabilities and significantly expands your development options. For beginners, you can start with Blueprints and gradually learn C++ for Unreal Engine as your projects grow more complex.

C++ is used to program and create video games on different platforms.

What This Guide Covers

Whether you’re a complete beginner or transitioning from another engine, this comprehensive guide answers the most common questions about C++ and Unreal Engine development. You’ll learn when C++ is necessary, what alternatives exist, and how to make the best choice for your project goals.

The Short Answer: Blueprints vs C++

You can absolutely create games in Unreal Engine without knowing C++. Unreal’s Blueprint visual scripting system allows you to build complete games using a node-based visual interface instead of traditional code. Many successful indie games have been built entirely with Blueprints.

However, C++ becomes valuable when you need:

• Maximum performance optimization
• Complex gameplay mechanics
• Custom engine modifications
• Integration with third-party libraries
• Advanced AI systems

However to get the most out of UE and improve at the fundamentals, you should not be using blueprints or C++ exclusively. Ideally, you should learn how to use both. If you want to learn more about C++ vs Blueprints , we’ve discussed in another article about when to use Blueprints or C++ when developing games.

Is Unreal Engine good for beginners?

Unreal Engine is a great game engine for beginners as it provides access to a lot of templates and assets completely for free (unless your game earns >$1M gross annually) . However, it is also expansive and powerful enough for experienced developers as well. If you are familiar with other platforms, such as Unity or previous Unreal Engine versions, you will be able to jump right in and start creating video games using Unreal Engine C++. A virtual game and graphic studio that specializes in Unreal Engine C++ development can also be a great resource for learning the language and developing your skills.

The process of developing a game with Unreal Engine is not difficult to understand, but it does require a lot of time and practice, knowledge of the language, and commitment. And one of the very first questions is: where do I begin?

Do you need to know how to code for Unreal Engine?

Creating entire games with Unreal Engine can be a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and skills, you can make amazing programs. Some basic knowledge of coding—and C++ to an extent—is required, but it is not necessary to be an expert. The Unreal Engine is not just intended for developers but also for creators; and a game programmer is not limited to working with Unreal Engine.

It is even possible to create full-fledged games without any coding background. Popular gaming engines like Unity or Unreal Engine offer visual scripting tools or no-code solutions for managing game assets. Unreal has its Blueprint scripting process wherein you can use nodes to replace normal programming logic.

But if you want to dive into the nitty gritty, learning about the fundamental language of which the engine is based on a surefire way to greatly increase both your options and your efficiency. Additionally, many other game development platforms, such as Unity and GameMaker, use similar coding languages. Knowing how to code for these platforms will help you get started in the game development industry.

Learning Path Recommendations for Complete Beginners

1. Start with Blueprint Fundamentals
   • Complete Epic’s Blueprint tutorials
   • Build simple games (Pong, basic platformer)
   • Understand Unreal’s component system
2. Learn Basic C++ Outside Unreal
   • Master fundamental programming concepts
   • Practice with simple console applications
   • Understand object-oriented programming principles
3. Transition to Unreal C++
   • Start with simple C++ components
   • Gradually replace Blueprint functionality with code
   • Learn Unreal-specific C++ conventions and macros

READ MORE: Install and set up Unreal Engine with Visual Studio.

When is C++ essential then?

C++ coding becomes essential when you’re dealing with specific use cases and the blueprints system is not sufficient anymore.

• Performance-Critical Applications

C++ provides direct memory management and system-level control that Blueprint scripting cannot match. For AAA games, VR experiences, or applications requiring 60+ FPS with complex systems, C++ often becomes necessary.

• Advanced Game Systems

While Blueprints excel at prototyping and standard gameplay, certain advanced features require C++ implementation:

• Custom rendering pipelines
• Specialized physics calculations
• Multi-threaded operations
• Platform-specific optimizations

• Professional Development

Most professional game studios expect C++ knowledge for Unreal Engine positions. Understanding both Blueprint and C++ makes you more versatile and employable in the game development industry.

• Custom Gameplay Mechanics

With C++, you can implement complex gameplay logic that goes beyond what is possible with Blueprints. This includes creating custom character controllers, AI behaviors, and game rules.

• Creating components and 3D environments

Components are the basic building blocks of Unreal Engine. Components can be used to create 3D environments, menus, and other user interface elements. These components can be exported to other platforms.

• Advanced AI Systems

Create sophisticated AI systems using C++ for behavior and decision-making processes for non-player characters (NPCs) and other game elements such as custom pathfinding algorithms, decision-making systems, and behavior trees.

• Create logic and integrate with scripts

Logic is the code that controls how players interact with each component. Scripts are a special type of code that is more visual. Using both C++ and scripting for Unreal  allows for seamless development in their games.

• Test and debug games

Testing and debugging games is an important part of the game development process. When you work with mechanics created using C++, verifying that component will most likely require C++ knowledge as well. Problems that can be debugged include crashes, missing textures, and incorrect game logic.

Blueprint vs C++ Performance Reality

When Performance Differences Matter

The performance gap between Blueprint and C++ varies significantly by use case:

• UI and Menu Systems: Minimal difference
• Simple Gameplay Logic: Negligible impact for most games
• Heavy Calculations: C++ shows clear advantages
• Frame-Critical Systems: C++ often necessary for consistent performance

Hybrid Approach Benefits

Most successful Unreal projects use both systems strategically. Learn more here.

• Blueprints for: UI, game flow, designer-friendly tweaking
• C++ for: Core systems, performance-critical code, complex algorithms

Highly Recommended for Unreal C++ 

If you do decide to code using C++ for Unreal Engine, you will most likely download Visual Studio, the official IDE of choice for developing C++ games in Unreal Engine. It provides an extensive list of navigations, refactoring, auto-suggestions and syntax highlighting for C++ development.

However, Visual Studio also caters to C/C# and unfortunately, the support and tooling for C++ may seem relatively weaker at first glance. Furthermore, Unreal Engine has bespoke coding elements and syntax. This may lead to frustrations when developing Unreal C++ games in the IDE because some basic navigations and features such as syntax highlighting may be unresponsive, or may be unavailable completely.

For these cases, it is highly recommended to install a supplementary plugin like Visual Assist which improves the overall IDE experience and replaces the frustrating elements with tailored features made for C++ Unreal Engine development. It makes the IDE features responsive and adds “understanding” so that basic features such as code highlighting, search, and auto-suggestions work properly.

Unreal Engine & C++ FAQ: What Beginners and Pros Ask Most

Is C++ necessary for Unreal Engine in 2025?

Not strictly. You can build complete games in Unreal Engine using Blueprints, but C++ becomes necessary for performance-heavy projects, advanced AI, custom gameplay mechanics, and professional studio work.

Can I make a game in Unreal Engine without coding?

Yes. Unreal’s Blueprint system allows you to create games visually without writing code. However, knowing some C++ helps when projects grow in complexity.

Should I learn C++ or Blueprint first for Unreal Engine?

For beginners, it’s best to start with Blueprints to quickly see results. As you advance, learning C++ gives you more flexibility, performance control, and access to Unreal’s full potential. Many developers use a hybrid approach.

Does Unreal Engine 5 use C++ or C#?

Unreal Engine 5 uses C++ as its main programming language. Unlike Unity, which uses C#, Unreal relies on C++ for coding while offering Blueprints for visual scripting.

Is Blueprint slower than C++ in Unreal Engine?

For simple gameplay and UI, Blueprint performance is fine. But in performance-critical areas—like physics, rendering, or AI—C++ is faster and more reliable. That’s why advanced projects often integrate both.

Do I need coding knowledge to start with Unreal Engine?

No deep coding knowledge is required to start. You can begin with Blueprints and gradually pick up coding skills. However, having a basic understanding of programming concepts will help you progress faster.

Do professional game studios expect Unreal developers to know C++?

Yes. Most studios hiring Unreal Engine developers expect at least working knowledge of C++, as it’s essential for creating custom systems and handling advanced development tasks.

Can I use Python with Unreal Engine instead of C++?

Unreal does support Python, but it’s mainly for automation and scripting inside the editor—not for gameplay coding. For game logic and performance-heavy tasks, C++ is still the standard.

Is C++ hard to learn for Unreal Engine beginners?

C++ has a steeper learning curve than Blueprints. But if you start small, practice with console apps, and then move into Unreal-specific C++, it becomes manageable. Combining both tools makes the process smoother.

When should I switch from Blueprints to C++ in Unreal Engine?

You should consider switching when you need custom gameplay mechanics, heavy performance optimization, or advanced systems that Blueprints can’t handle efficiently. Most developers begin with Blueprints and gradually transition to using both C++ and blueprints as their projects grow.