Package both builds

Two packages from one Unreal project: a server build with no graphics, and the game build players stream. The server build is the one with a catch.

First: the engine you package with matters

The binary Unreal Engine from the Epic Launcher cannot package a dedicated server

It fails with "Unknown Error" at the end. The cause is one line above BUILD FAILED in the output log: Server targets are not currently supported from this engine distribution. If you have already hit that wall, this is why. You need a source build of the engine.

Packaging failing with an unknown error on a binary engine build
The failure the Launcher build produces. Look for “Server targets are not currently supported from this engine distribution.” just above BUILD FAILED.
Epic binary (Launcher)Epic source (GitHub)E3DS source build
Packages a dedicated serverNoYesYes
You have to build the engine—Yes — around 50 GB to download and 350 GB of disk for UE 5.5No — it is pre-built
Hardware needed—16 GB RAM and an 8-core CPU, or the build takes a very long timeNothing special

Switching your project to it

  1. Extract the archive — the UE 5.2 build is a .7z, so use 7-Zip for that one.

  2. Under Engine\Binaries\Win64, make a desktop shortcut to the Unreal Editor executable so you can launch this engine directly.

    Creating a shortcut to the source-build Unreal Editor

  3. Right-click your .uproject, choose Switch Unreal Engine version, and point it at the extracted folder.

    Switching the project to the extracted engine build

  4. Open the project and let it regenerate.

Package the server build

  1. Edit → Project Settings → Packaging, search for list of maps, and add your map — ThirdPersonMap for the template.

    The map added to the packaging list of maps

  2. Set the build target to YourProjectNameServer.

    Selecting the server build target

  3. Platforms → Windows → Package Project, into an empty folder.

    The server build packaging successfully

Package the game build

The same operation with the ordinary target. Make sure the Pixel Streaming plugin is enabled first — the game build is the one that streams, so it needs it; the server does not.

  1. Set the build target to YourProjectName.

  2. Platforms → Windows → Package Project, into a different empty folder.

You now have two packages

A server that runs headless and a game that streams. Before uploading either, it is worth running them together on your own machine — two clients connecting to one server proves the pair works while both are still in front of you.

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