Game Dev Setup Engine — Engine Configuration Wizard

🎯 Purpose

Guide users through configuring a game engine project from scratch. Handles Godot 4.6, Unity 7, and Unreal Engine 5.6 with version-aware settings, renderer selection, and platform target configuration.

🤖 Multi-Platform Notes

🔍 Phase 1: Engine Detection

Step 1.1 — Ask

"Which engine are you using?"

1) Godot 4.6
2) Unity 7
3) Unreal Engine 5.6
4) Other (specify)

Step 1.2 — Check Installed Version

If on a terminal-capable platform, run:

Godot:

godot --version
# Expected: 4.6.stable or similar

Unity:

# Check Unity Hub for installed versions, or:
find /Applications/Unity -name "Unity" -type f 2>/dev/null
# Windows:
where Unity 2>/dev/null

Unreal:

# Check Engine association (Windows)
# Look in: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\UE_5.6\

Step 1.3 — Version-Aware Config Reference

⚙️ Phase 2: Project Initialization

Godot 4.6

Create project.godot:

[application]
config/name="My Game"
config/description="A game made with Godot 4.6"
config/icon="res://icon.png"
run/main_scene="res://scenes/main.tscn"

[rendering]
renderer/rendering_method="forward_plus"  # or "mobile" or "compatibility"
renderer/anti_aliasing/quality="high"     # or "medium", "low", "disabled"

Then ask:

"Create the standard folder structure?"

res://
├── assets/        # Raw assets (sprites, models, audio)
│   ├── art/
│   ├── audio/
│   └── fonts/
├── scenes/        # .tscn files
├── scripts/       # .gd / .cs files
├── resources/     # .tres / .res files
├── addons/        # Plugins
├── levels/        # Level scenes
└── tests/         # Unit tests (GDScript 2.0 unit test)

Render pipeline: Forward+ default. Switch to Compatibility for 2D-only. Switch to Mobile for mobile targets.

Unity 7

Create project with Unity Hub, then set up:

Assets/
├── _Project/
│   ├── Scripts/
│   ├── Scenes/
│   ├── Prefabs/
│   ├── Art/
│   ├── Audio/
│   ├── Resources/
│   └── Settings/
├── ThirdParty/
└── Plugins/

Render Pipeline Selection:

• URP (Universal Render Pipeline) — default for most projects. Good for mobile, cross-platform, 2D, and mid-range 3D.
• HDRP (High Definition RP) — high-end PC/console 3D only.
• Built-in RP — legacy. Only use for existing projects.

Ask: "URP or HDRP? If you're not sure, pick URP."

Input System:

• New Input System Package (recommended for all new projects)
• Legacy Input Manager (existing projects)

Version Control:

• Generate .gitignore for Unity
• Default meta file tracking
• Ask about Unity Version Control if on a team

Unreal Engine 5.6

Create via Epic Games Launcher or manually:

Project/
├── Content/
│   ├── Characters/
│   ├── Environments/
│   ├── UI/
│   ├── Audio/
│   └── Blueprints/
├── Source/
│   └── [ProjectName]/
│       ├── [ProjectName].h
│       ├── [ProjectName].cpp
│       └── [ProjectName].Build.cs
├── Config/
└── [ProjectName].uproject

Render Pipeline: Deferred Renderer (default). Switch to Forward for VR or high-framerate targets.

Startup settings:

• Ask: "Blueprint-only or C++ ?"
• Ask: "Template? (Blank, Third Person, Top Down, etc.)"

🔧 Phase 3: Platform Configuration

Step 3.1 — Target Platforms

Ask:

"Which platforms will you target?"

1) Windows/Mac/Linux (desktop)
2) Web (HTML5/WebGL)
3) Mobile (Android/iOS)
4) Console (requires approval)
5) All of the above

Step 3.2 — Platform-Specific Settings

Step 3.3 — Version Control Setup

Generate .gitignore based on engine:

• Godot: https://github.com/github/gitignore/blob/main/Godot.gitignore
• Unity: https://github.com/github/gitignore/blob/main/Unity.gitignore
• UE: https://github.com/github/gitignore/blob/main/UnrealEngine.gitignore

Ask: "Initialize a git repo and create .gitignore?"

✅ Phase 4: Verification

Step 4.1 — Build Test

Ask:

"Should I try to build an empty project to verify the setup?"

If terminal-capable:

Godot:

godot --headless --build-solutions --quit

Unity:

# Requires Unity CLI path setup
Unity -projectPath . -buildTarget StandaloneWindows64 -quit -batchmode -logFile build.log

UE:

# Generate project files
# Windows:
"[Epic Games]\UE_5.6\Engine\Build\BatchFiles\Build.bat" [ProjectName]Editor Win64 Development -project="[full path]"

Step 4.2 — Basic Scene

Create a default scene with:

• A camera
• A light (for 3D)
• A test object (cube or sprite)
• Attach a script that prints "Hello, World!"

Ask: "Want me to create a test scene to verify everything works?"

📋 Setup Summary

After completing, output a setup summary:

# Engine Setup Complete

## Project
- **Project:** [project name]
- **Engine:** [engine + version]
- **Location:** [path]
- **Renderer:** [renderer name]

## Configuration
- [ ] Folder structure created
- [ ] Version control initialized
- [ ] Platform targets set: [list]
- [ ] Test scene created and verified

## Next Steps
- Run `game-design-doc` to write the GDD
- Run `architecture` for system design
- Run `sprint-dev` to start development

🚨 Troubleshooting

Godot

• GDScript not highlighting? Install Godot extension for your editor.
• .NET not detected? Install .NET 8 SDK.
• Export templates missing? Install via Godot → Editor → Manage Export Templates.

Unity

• Package errors? Re-import from Package Manager → My Assets.
• Scripts not compiling? Check .NET profile and API compatibility level.
• "No Unity version associated" — open with Unity Hub.

Unreal

• Visual Studio not detected? Install Game Development with C++ workload.
• Shader compilation errors? Update GPU drivers.
• Slow startup? This is normal for first launch.