Unreal Engine is one of the most popular tools for making video games and interactive experiences. If you are just getting started, this is one of the first questions you will ask.
Unreal is built on C++, but beginners often start with Blueprints Visual Scripting, which lets you build gameplay without traditional coding.
The Short Answer for Beginners: What Language Does Unreal Engine Use?
Unreal Engine “uses”:
- C++ for professional level programming and performance focused gameplay systems.
- Blueprints for visual scripting, meaning you build gameplay logic by connecting nodes instead of writing code.
- Python mainly for scripting and automating tasks inside the Unreal Editor (more on this later).
- HLSL when you write custom shader code (optional, usually later).
- Verse if you are building gameplay inside Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN).
For most beginners, your first “language” in Unreal Engine will realistically be Blueprints, and your long-term growth language will be C++.
Unreal Engine’s main programming language: C++
Why Unreal uses C++
Unreal Engine is designed for games that need high performance: smooth frame rates, complex physics, large worlds, detailed graphics, and multiplayer systems. C++ is widely used in game development because it is fast and gives you deep control over how software runs.
What C++ looks like in Unreal Engine
When you work in Unreal with C++, you are still writing standard C++ syntax, but Unreal adds its own framework and tools so your code can talk to the editor. Epic’s documentation describes creating gameplay classes in C++ and seeing those changes reflected in the Unreal Editor after compiling.
In practical terms, C++ is commonly used for:
- Custom gameplay systems (combat, inventory, abilities)
- Performance heavy mechanics (AI behaviours, large scale logic)
- Building reusable code foundations for a team
Do you need C++ to start?
No. You can start building games in Unreal without writing C++ right away, because Unreal was built to support non-programmers too. That is where Blueprints come in.
The Beginner-Friendly Option: Blueprints Visual Scripting
What are Blueprints?
Blueprints are Unreal’s built-in visual programming language. You create gameplay by connecting nodes in a graph, instead of typing lines of code. Epic describes Blueprints as a node-based visual scripting system for creating gameplay elements.
Why Beginners Often Start with Blueprints?
Blueprints are ideal when you are still learning how game logic works, because:
- You can learn concepts like events, variables, and logic flow visually
- You can prototype ideas quickly and test them inside the editor
- You spend less time fighting syntax errors and more time building
Epic also explains that Blueprint markup inside the C++ implementation lets programmers create baseline systems that designers can extend. That is a key point: Blueprints and C++ are designed to work together, not compete.
What kinds of things can you do with Blueprints?
A lot. Blueprints can drive many common game features:
- Player input and movement logic
- Doors, switches, pickups, triggers
- UI interactions and menus
- Basic AI behaviours
- Level scripting and events
If your goal is to build a playable portfolio project as a beginner, Blueprints are often the fastest route to something you can actually show.
Other Languages Unreal Uses (Optional)
Python in Unreal Engine
Unreal supports Python primarily for editor scripting and pipeline automation, like speeding up content production tasks inside the Unreal Editor. Epic documents this workflow as “Scripting the Unreal Editor Using Python.”
This matters because modern game development is not just gameplay code. Studios also care about efficient pipelines, tools, and production workflows.
HLSL for Materials and Shaders
If you go deeper into graphics, Unreal’s Material Editor can translate node graphs into shader code, and Unreal also supports writing custom shader code where needed. Epic notes that shader code written in a custom node must be valid HLSL.
Most beginners do not need HLSL early on, but it is useful context if you are interested in technical art or visual effects later.
Verse for UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite)
Verse is a programming language from Epic used to create gameplay in Unreal Editor for Fortnite, and Epic positions it as beginner-friendly for first-time programmers in that environment.
If your future path includes Fortnite creative development, Verse is part of the Unreal ecosystem. For traditional Unreal Engine game development, your core focus remains Blueprints and C++.
What About C#?
Unreal Engine is primarily built around C++ and Blueprints. Some third-party plugins exist that allow C# workflows, but that is not the standard Unreal path and it can vary by plugin and project.
A Practical Learning Path for Beginners
If you are new, here is a realistic progression that matches how many students learn:
- Learn the Unreal Editor basics: How to move around, place objects, use lighting, and build a simple level.
- Use Blueprints to create gameplay: Start with triggers, interactions, and basic player mechanics. This teaches game logic in a visual way.
- Add C++ when you are ready: Once you understand how gameplay systems fit together, C++ becomes less intimidating and more useful.
- Build a portfolio project: A finished playable project matters more than knowing every feature.
Build Skills and Portfolio with VCAD
Self-learning Unreal Engine is possible, but many beginners hit the same roadblocks: scattered tutorials, gaps in fundamentals, and no clear plan for building a portfolio. That is where a structured program can help, especially one that teaches Unreal in context with the full game pipeline.
The VCAD Game Development and Design Diploma program is built around developing both creative and technical skills, and it is offered online. The program is a diploma with a listed duration of 72 weeks.
What makes it relevant to Unreal Engine beginners is the tool stack and outcomes:
- VCAD highlights industry-standard tools including Unreal Engine, Maya, Houdini, and Python, plus production tools like Adobe Photoshop and Substance tools.
- The program overview emphasizes mentorship and hands-on projects, with the goal of graduating with a professional portfolio.
- VCAD’s own Unreal spotlight content explicitly notes students learn Unreal Engine using both C++ tools and Blueprint visual scripting, along with building levels, designing characters, animating assets, and creating a playable game for a portfolio.
If your long-term goal is to become a game developer, the subtle advantage of a diploma program is not just learning “what language Unreal uses.” It is learning how Unreal fits into a real workflow: design, modelling, environment creation, animation, gameplay scripting, asset integration, and portfolio presentation.
Beginner FAQ: Unreal Engine Languages
Q1. Can I make a game in Unreal Engine without coding?
Yes. Blueprints are designed so you can create gameplay using a node-based visual scripting system.
Q2. Should I learn C++ first?
Not required. Many beginners start with Blueprints to learn logic and then transition into C++ as they grow.
Q3. Is C++ still important if I use Blueprints?
Yes, especially if your goal is to work professionally. Unreal’s C++ layer is the foundation, and Blueprints are designed to work alongside it.
Q4. Does Unreal use Python?
Yes, mainly for scripting and automating tasks inside the Unreal Editor.
Final Thoughts
Unreal Engine mainly uses C++ and Blueprints, and that combination is why it works for both beginners and future professionals. Start with Blueprints to build confidence, then grow into C++ when you want deeper control.
If you prefer a clear roadmap and a portfolio-focused learning experience that includes Unreal Engine and other industry-standard tools, the VCAD Game Development and Design Diploma program is designed to support that full journey from beginner skills to a playable project you can show.
