Learn the essential steps to package your Unreal Engine project into a standalone, distributable game for platforms like Windows, macOS, or Linux.
First, go to Edit > Project Settings. Under the Project section, select Maps & Modes. Set your Game Default Map and Editor Startup Map to ensure your game starts correctly.
In Project Settings, navigate to the Packaging section. Here you can set the Build Configuration. Choose Shipping for a final release build or Development for a test build with debug information.
In the main editor window, click on the Platforms button in the toolbar. A dropdown menu will appear showing all available target platforms (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).
Hover over your desired platform (e.g., Windows) in the Platforms menu and click Package Project from the sub-menu.
A file explorer window will open. Select an empty folder where you want Unreal Engine to save the packaged game files and click Select Folder.
The packaging process will begin. You can monitor its progress by opening the Output Log (Window > Output Log). This may take a significant amount of time depending on your project's size.
Tips for a Successful Build
Always use the Shipping configuration for public releases. It creates the most optimized build, removing debug tools and resulting in better performance and a smaller file size.
If the packaging process fails, the Output Log is the first place to look. It will contain detailed error messages in red that can help you diagnose the problem.
Before packaging, delete or exclude unused assets. A smaller project with fewer assets will cook and package much faster.
After packaging, test your game on a computer that does not have Unreal Engine installed. This helps ensure all necessary dependencies are included in your packaged build.
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