Integrating My API and Social Services into Unreal Engine
I've been working on an exciting integration project, bringing together my backend API and social services with Unreal Engine. The backend is built using:
- NestJS
- Postgres
- Redis
To facilitate this, I'm developing a custom SDK plugin for the Holodeck API in Unreal Engine. This SDK handles a variety of tasks including authentication, fetching user data, fetching friends lists, and more. Let's dive into the details of how this integration is taking shape.
API and SDK Overview
The first component I focused on was fetching user data by ID. For this, I developed an HTTP module that queues up HTTP requests and executes them synchronously. The responses, returned as JSON, are then parsed into struct/object types for use within Unreal Engine. Check this out – it’s awesome.
Fetching Connected Accounts
Next, I added the capability to fetch third-party connected accounts for users. For instance, our user "Phresh" on Holodeck has linked his Steam account under the name "Phreshtex." Here's a demo of how that looks in action.
Fetching Mutual Friends
One of the coolest features I implemented is the ability to fetch mutual friends with a specific user. This allows for a more connected and interactive social experience within Holodeck.
Implementation Details
HTTP Module
The HTTP module is a crucial part of the integration, ensuring smooth communication between Unreal Engine and the API. It handles all HTTP requests, ensuring they are processed in order and without delay.
JSON Parsing
Once the HTTP responses are received, they are parsed into appropriate struct/object types. This conversion is essential for utilizing the data within Unreal Engine, making it easy to manage and display user information.
Authentication
Handling authentication securely and efficiently is a top priority. The SDK manages user sessions and tokens, ensuring that each request is authenticated properly without compromising performance or security.
Future Developments
There's still a lot more to come. I'm planning to expand the SDK with more features, including:
- Enhanced friend management tools
- Real-time notifications and updates
- More extensive social integrations
This integration project is a significant step forward, enhancing the capabilities of Holodeck and providing users with a richer, more connected experience.
Stay tuned for more updates!