Securing Single-Player Games in Unreal Engine - by Sheikh Sohel Moon (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Master practical, code-driven techniques to safeguard gameplay integrity--without relying on online infrastructure or third-party anti-cheat tools. In a world where even offline games are vulnerable to tampering and exploits, this book is a hands-on guide to defending your Unreal Engine projects from cheats, hacks, and manipulation.

Through real-world examples and game-ready implementations, you'll learn how to encrypt sensitive variables, detect runtime tampering, secure saved files, and prevent rollback exploits. Each chapter walks you through structured solutions, including honeypot traps, debugger detection, and DLL injection prevention--backed by insights from titles like The Witcher 3 and Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

You will learn to build a tamper-proof health system, lock down stat-based mechanics, protect player progress to ensure a fair experience for every user.

Learn To:
Encrypt and validate in-game variables at runtime
Secure saved files against edits and rollbacks
Detect memory editing and cheat tools
Implement honeypots and behavior-based cheat detection
Apply anti-tampering strategies without online systems

Who Is This Book For
With a focus on Blueprints and C++, this book is tailored for beginner-to-intermediate level Unreal Engine developers who want to build secure single-player games that earn long-term player trust.

From the Back Cover

Master practical, code-driven techniques to safeguard gameplay integrity--without relying on online infrastructure or third-party anti-cheat tools. In a world where even offline games are vulnerable to tampering and exploits, this book is a hands-on guide to defending your Unreal Engine projects from cheats, hacks, and manipulation.

Through real-world examples and game-ready implementations, you'll learn how to encrypt sensitive variables, detect runtime tampering, secure saved files, and prevent rollback exploits. Each chapter walks you through structured solutions, including honeypot traps, debugger detection, and DLL injection prevention--backed by insights from titles like The Witcher 3 and Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

You will learn to build a tamper-proof health system, lock down stat-based mechanics, protect player progress to ensure a fair experience for every user.

Learn To:
Encrypt and validate in-game variables at runtime
Secure saved files against edits and rollbacks
Detect memory editing and cheat tools
Implement honeypots and behavior-based cheat detection
Apply anti-tampering strategies without online systems

About the Author

Sheikh Sohel Moon is a game developer, technical author, and Unreal Engine specialist with focus on immersive systems, VR/AR interaction, and game security. He is the author of Game Development Concepts in C++: Elevate Your Skills with Unreal Engine (Apress, 2025).

Sohel has led multiple cross-platform game and VR development initiatives, integrating C++, Blueprints, and multiplayer systems for simulation, racing, and open-world environments. He is also actively involved in security-driven game design, helping small studios and solo developers protect their games from tampering, memory editing, and save game exploitation. With an emphasis on hands-on coding and implementation-first design, Sohel is dedicated to helping indie creators deliver secure, polished experiences at any scale.