Unreal Engine RTS Camera Setup: Smooth Movement & Controls

This is Rambod and today we create a complete RTS camera system in Unreal Engine 5. You will learn how to set up smooth movement, zoom, rotation, and edge-scrolling controls — the essentials for any strategy or simulation game.

1) Project setup

• Start with a blank Unreal Engine template (Blueprint or C++ both work).
• Go to Project Settings → Input.
• Create the following input mappings:
  • Action Mapping: MouseRotationActivate → Middle Mouse Button.
  • Axis Mapping: MoveForward → W (1), S (-1).
  • Axis Mapping: MoveRight → D (1), A (-1).
  • Axis Mapping: RotateRTSCamera → E (1), Q (-1).
  • Axis Mapping: ZoomRTSCam → Mouse Wheel Axis.
  • Axis Mapping: MouseRotate → Mouse X.
  • Axis Mapping: MouseRotateUp → Mouse Y.
  • Axis Mapping: MoveElevation → Z (1), C (-1) (for optional vertical movement).

2) Create the RTS camera pawn

• In the Content Drawer, create a new folder Main/Blueprints.
• Right click → Blueprint Class → Pawn.
• Name it BP_RTSCam.
• Add two components:
  • Spring Arm (Target Arm Length = 600, Rotation ~ X:180, Y:105, Z:180).
  • Camera (child of the spring arm).

This creates the base of the RTS camera.

3) Movement functions

Create custom functions inside BP_RTSCam:

Move Forward

• Input: Axis Value (float).
• Multiply by MovementSpeed variable.
• Use Add Movement Input with actor forward vector.

Move Right

• Input: Axis Value (float).
• Multiply by MovementSpeed.
• Use Add Movement Input with actor right vector.

Set default MovementSpeed (e.g., 1200).

4) Zoom functionality

• Create variables: NewTargetArmLength, ZoomSpeed, MaxZoom, MinZoom.
• Default values: Min=200, Max=3000, ZoomSpeed=40.
• In ZoomRTSCamera function:
  • Multiply ZoomSpeed * AxisValue.
  • Add to NewTargetArmLength.
  • Clamp between MinZoom and MaxZoom.
  • Use FInterpTo with Delta Seconds for smooth transition.
  • Update Spring Arm Target Arm Length.

5) Rotation functions

Rotate RTS Camera (Yaw)

• Input: Axis Value.
• Multiply by CameraRotationSpeed (default = 4).
• Add to actor’s yaw and clamp between -360 and 360.

Rotate RTS Camera Up/Down (Pitch)

• Input: Axis Value.
• Multiply by CameraRotationSpeed.
• Get Spring Arm rotation.
• Add to Pitch, clamp between -80 and -1 (prevents clipping).
• Set Spring Arm world rotation.

6) Edge scrolling

• Get Player Controller → Mouse Position and Viewport Size.
• Divide mouse position by viewport size to normalize (0 to 1).
• If X > 0.98 → move right. If X < 0.02 → move left.
• If Y > 0.98 → move backward. If Y < 0.02 → move forward.
• This mimics traditional RTS-style border scrolling.

7) Input logic

• In Event Graph, wire up:
  • MoveForward → MoveForward function.
  • MoveRight → MoveRight function.
  • ZoomRTSCam → ZoomRTSCamera.
  • RotateRTSCamera → Rotate function.
• Add MouseRotationActivate (Boolean) to enable rotation with Middle Mouse.
• Add Mouse X/Y inputs for rotation while held.

8) Input mode and game mode

• In Begin Play:
  • Get Player Controller.
  • Set Input Mode: Game and UI.
  • Lock mouse input and enable cursor visibility.
• Add a Floating Pawn Movement component for smooth control.
• Create a Game Mode Blueprint (e.g., BP_SandboxGameMode).
  • Set Default Pawn to BP_RTSCam.
  • Apply this game mode in World Settings.

9) Test and refine

• Save and compile.
• Drag into your level.
• Test WASD movement, zoom, rotation, and edge scrolling.
• Adjust Min/Max zoom, rotation clamp, and speed to taste.

Wrap up

You now have a fully functional RTS camera system in Unreal Engine 5 with smooth movement, zoom, rotation, and edge scrolling. This is a great foundation for any strategy or simulation project.

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