How to Create Game Data File
To create a new game data file within the Unreal Engine Editor, open the Content Drawer, right-click in the desired folder, and select in the Create Advanced Assets section Miscellaneous → Game Data menu option. Name your game data file and proceed according to the instructions in the dialog window that appears.
Step By Step
Open Content Drawer: Open the Content Drawer window in the Unreal Engine Editor.
Select Folder: Right-click in the desired folder where you want to create the game data file.
Create Game Data: Navigate to Create Advanced Assets → Miscellaneous → Game Data from the context menu.
Name the File: In the Content Drawer window that appears, enter a name for your game data file.
Check for Errors: Ensure there are no error messages in the dialog window that opens, then press Next.
Wait for Module Generation: Allow time for the new module to be generated, watching the wizard in the dialog proceed to the next step automatically.
Review Summary: Check the summary and verify there are no suspicious errors in the Output Log window.
Recompile C++ Code: Use your IDE of choice to recompile the C++ code. Restart Unreal Engine Editor if needed.
Import Game Data: Reopen the Content Drawer window and click the Import button.
Select .gdjs File: Locate and select the .gdjs game data file you named in step 4, then click Ok.
Choose Game Data Class: Select the Game Data class, which should match the game data file name. If it’s not listed, return to step 7.
Save .uasset File: Save the newly created .uasset file after completing the import process.
Throubleshooting
Game data creation or code generation/compilation may encounter issues under certain circumstances:
Insufficient File System Rights or File Creation Errors
- Problem: Lack of sufficient rights to the OS file system, or errors during file creation (e.g., file name too long, antivirus block).
- Solution: Check the Output Log window for errors or the most recent log file in <project-dir>\Intermediate\Charon\logs and attempt to resolve them.
Class Name Collision Within Project
- Solution 1 (Game Data Class Name Collision): Delete the newly created .gdjs game data file and the generated module. Then, start over with a new name and clean your .Target.cs files from the generated module name.
- Solution 2 (Schema Class Name Collision): Open the game data in another editor (Online, Standalone), rename the schema, and try again.
No Game Data Class in Import Window
- Problem: The generated game data module is not being compiled.
- Solution: Ensure it’s added to your <project-name>.Target.cs and <project-name>Editor.Target.cs files as an extra module.
If missing, include following expression in both target files:
ExtraModuleNames.Add("<module-name>");
Additionally, verify that your .uproject file includes the generated module definition. If it’s absent, add the following module definition to the Modules list:
{
"Name": "<module-name>",
"Type": "Runtime",
"LoadingPhase": "Default"
}