Games built with Unreal Engine often show the engine version in their game files or sometimes in a log file if you examine them.
Ever been curious about the tech powering your favorite games? Many modern titles use Unreal Engine, and it’s handy to know which version a game uses for modding or general tech info. Figuring out how to tell unreal engine version of game isn’t always obvious, but there are methods for it. We’ll guide you through the simple steps to uncover this information.
How to Tell Unreal Engine Version of a Game
Figuring out which version of the Unreal Engine a game uses might seem like a secret code, but it’s totally doable! Game developers use different versions of the Unreal Engine to build their games, just like how you might use different LEGO sets. Each version has its own special features and tools. Knowing which version a game uses can help you understand how it was made and sometimes even how to fix problems if you run into any. Let’s explore the methods we can use to find this info.
Why Knowing the Unreal Engine Version Matters
Before we jump into the detective work, let’s talk about why knowing the engine version is actually useful:
Troubleshooting: If a game is crashing or having problems, knowing the engine version can help you find solutions faster on forums or online communities. People who have played games made with the same engine version might have already found fixes or workarounds.
Modding: For those who like to change or add things to games (modding), knowing the engine version is absolutely essential. Mods are often made specifically for a particular engine version. Trying to use a mod from a different version might not work or could even break the game.
Technical Understanding: Knowing the engine used gives you a better idea of what technologies the game uses, such as how the graphics are rendered or how the physics work. It allows you to appreciate the game development process at a deeper level.
Performance: Different engine versions might be more optimized than others, which can affect how well a game runs on your computer. Knowing this can help you understand why a game might run smoothly or struggle.
Game Comparison: You can compare the visual style and technical aspects of different games, especially if they use different engine versions. It helps to see the evolution of game development.
For Aspiring Game Developers: For anyone hoping to make their own game, understanding how different engine versions work and perform is very valuable. It’s great way to start learning about the technology behind games.
Method 1: Checking Game Files and Folders
This method involves snooping around the game’s installation folder. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. We are looking for tell-tale signs inside the game files that can give away the engine version.
Looking for Specific Folder Names
Many Unreal Engine games leave specific folders with names indicating the engine version they use.
Common Folder Names: Look for folders with names like “Engine,” “UE4” (for Unreal Engine 4), “UE5” (for Unreal Engine 5), or “UnrealEngine”. If you see a folder with such a name, there is a great chance that is an indicator of the game’s core technology.
Version Specific Folders: In some cases, you might find more specific folder names. For example, folders like “UE4.27,” “UE5.0,” or “UE5.1” reveal the exact version of the engine that was used. These exact version numbers are a treasure trove of information!
Location: Typically, these folders are located in the main game installation directory. The main game directory is usually located in the following location:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\[Game Name]
Or a different location, based on where the game is installed.
Examining DLL Files
DLL files, or Dynamic Link Library files, are like helper files that programs use. Many game files and some DLLs reveal the Unreal Engine version they use.
Common DLLs: Keep a keen eye out for files with names similar to “UE4-\[Version]-Win64-Shipping.dll,” “UnrealEditor.dll,” “Engine.dll” or similar ones. For example, a file named UE4-Win64-Shipping.dll or UnrealEditor.dll is a strong indicator of Unreal Engine 4. If you find UE5-Win64-Shipping.dll this is a clue that the game uses Unreal Engine 5.
Checking File Details: You can often right-click on these files, go to “Properties,” and then look for the “Details” tab. Inside the Details tab, there is a version property, which might also list the specific version information.
For Example: If we right click on UE4-Win64-Shipping.dll and check file details, you can find Product Version or File Version number. This number will indicate the exact unreal engine version, that is used by the game.
How to Check DLL File Details:
1. Navigate to the game installation folder.
2. Find the game executables (.exe) and related DLL files.
3. Right click on these files.
4. Click Properties.
5. Go to the Details tab.
6. Look for version information.
Method 2: Using Third-Party Tools
Sometimes, the game files don’t give up their secrets easily. In those cases, some special third-party tools can help:
Unreal Engine Finder Tools
There are community created tools that are specifically designed to find out which unreal engine version a game is using. These tools analyze the files of a game and tell you the unreal engine version.
How They Work: These tools usually scan the game’s executable and related DLL files. They look for specific patterns, like the DLL files and folder names discussed earlier, and try to determine the Unreal Engine version.
Ease of Use: These tools are usually very easy to use, often just requiring you to point to the folder that contains the game files.
Availability: You can find these tools on online forums like Reddit, or on specialized modding sites. Make sure the tools you use are from trusted sources.
Game File Analyzers
Some tools can help analyze various game files and find the underlying technology. These are not designed specifically for Unreal Engine but can provide useful information.
How they work: These tools look at various files within a game, including executables and DLLs. They find clues related to software libraries, compilers and other technologies that help to pinpoint the game engine.
More Detail: These tools sometimes offer more technical information, that is helpful for understanding the inner workings of a game.
Advanced Knowledge: Using these tools might require a bit more technical knowledge, but they are a very effective way of determining the unreal engine version.
Method 3: Community and Online Resources
The internet is a big place, full of helpful information about games and their technologies. The community is always ready to share information they have gathered.
Gaming Forums and Subreddits
Many gamers are interested in these details, and they discuss these things often. So, this is a good place to find answers.
Specific Game Forums: Search forums for the specific game you’re researching. Players often post about engine versions. You can also search for threads specifically discussing the unreal engine version of the game.
General Gaming Communities: Places like Reddit’s r/gaming or r/unrealengine often have threads where users share this information. You can search using the game’s name or create a new post asking about the engine version.
Benefits: You might find discussions about the game’s development history that include information about the engine version.
Game Development Websites and Databases
Some websites and databases specifically track the game engines used in games. These are usually maintained by enthusiasts and can be reliable sources.
Dedicated Databases: Some wikis and databases compile information about which engines different games use. Search for these resources using the game’s name.
How They Are Maintained: Usually, members of the community contribute to these databases, which are always updated.
Accuracy: These are generally reliable as they are usually checked and confirmed by multiple people before being included.
Developer Blogs and Interviews
Sometimes, the game developers themselves will discuss which version of Unreal Engine they used to make the game.
Developer Websites: Check the official website of the game or the studio’s website. They might have development blogs, news articles, or press releases that talk about the engine.
Interviews: Look for interviews with game developers where they might discuss the game development process.
Behind-the-Scenes Content: Sometimes developers release videos, podcasts, or behind-the-scenes content that shows which engine version they have used.
Method 4: Analyzing Game Executables
This method is a bit more technical but can be quite effective. It involves looking inside the game’s main executable file.
Using a Text Editor
You can use a text editor to search for text strings within the game’s executable that can reveal the engine version.
Text Search: Open the main executable (.exe) file with a text editor such as Notepad or Notepad++. Don’t try to edit the file, just open it to search. Search for strings like “Unreal Engine,” “UE4,” or “UE5,” or specific version numbers like “4.27,” “5.0,” or “5.1”.
Looking for Clues: If you find these text strings, they are often accompanied by the actual version number of the Unreal Engine used. This can be a direct way to find the engine version.
How to Search using Text Editor:
1. Locate the game’s .exe file.
2. Right click and click “Open with” then select Notepad or Notepad++.
3. Press Ctrl+F to open the search box.
4. Search for keywords such as “Unreal Engine”, “UE4” or “UE5”.
Using Hex Editors
A hex editor is a more advanced tool that lets you look at the raw data of a file.
Hexadecimal Data: Hex editors display data in hexadecimal format (numbers and letters from 0-9 and A-F). This might look like gibberish, but specific patterns can reveal information.
Looking for Patterns: You might look for hexadecimal representations of version numbers or strings related to the engine. This process can be more technical and may require some experience with hex editors.
Benefits: Hex editors can sometimes find data that is hidden from regular text searches. This means they can find information that simpler methods might miss.
How to Search using Hex Editors:
1. Download a hex editor (like HxD).
2. Open the game’s .exe file using the hex editor.
3. Search for the keywords or specific patterns.
Things to Remember
Here are some additional points to keep in mind:
Not All Games Reveal Their Engine Version: Some game developers take extra steps to hide the engine version information for different reasons. In these cases, it might be difficult to get accurate information.
Engine Upgrades: Sometimes a game might get updated from one engine version to another. Games can be initially developed with Unreal Engine 4 and then later updated to Unreal Engine 5. So be mindful of this and search for any information about updates the game has received.
Combined Methods: Try using a combination of these methods for the best chance of success. Sometimes one method alone might not be enough to find the engine version.
Be Cautious with Third-Party Tools: Ensure that you download any tools from trusted sources. Always be careful when running programs from the internet, especially game-related tools.
By combining these methods, you’ll be well-equipped to figure out which Unreal Engine version powers the games you love. Knowing the engine version can give you new insights into game development and help you make a better experience with the games you play. And if you ever get stuck, remember that there are entire communities ready to help you solve the mystery!
Learning Unreal Engine Be Like
Final Thoughts
In summary, you can often identify a game’s Unreal Engine version by checking game files or using third-party tools. Game logs, for example, might directly state the engine version used during development. Specific file names sometimes reveal the engine generation.
Different methods offer different success rates, so trying multiple approaches is useful. Therefore, learning how to tell unreal engine version of game requires a bit of investigation and familiarity with game files.
