UEC++ From Basics to Advanced | M20-001: Plugin Type Overview Part 1

This video begins our exploration of Unreal Engine plugin types by categorizing the three primary classifications: Runtime plugins, Editor plugins, and Developer plugins. Understanding these categories is fundamental because each type has different loading behavior, dependency rules, and use cases that affect how you structure your plugin code. We dive deep into Runtime plugins, which are loaded during game execution and can contain gameplay logic, asset types, and subsystems that persist throughout the application lifecycle. We examine the loading phases, module initialization order, and how to configure the ModuleType in your .uplugin file to match your intended usage scenario. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to distinguish between Runtime, Editor, and Developer plugins at the architectural level and select the correct module type for your specific plugin development needs.