VFX Firepit – Real-Time VFX in Unreal Engine 5

This real-time firepit VFX was created in Unreal Engine 5 as a personal project focused on stylized realism and modular design. I began using Unreal during a professional development course at Gnomon, where I learned the fundamentals of real-time VFX and continued building on that foundation through independent projects.

The fire effect was created using a Flipbook Animation material for efficient, loopable motion. Niagara was used for simulating smoke, drifting embers, and ambient particle effects, while a simple base mesh was modeled in Blender to anchor the effect in a scene.
My goals for this piece were to create a firepit effect that could be reused across different environments, experiment with Niagara and shader-driven effects, and develop a realistic look that enhances atmosphere. I also wanted to explore how VFX can contribute to environmental storytelling through subtle, layered motion and light.

This piece is designed to be modular and game-ready—ideal for a fantasy or medieval setting like a camp, ruin, or village. It was a great opportunity to deepen my understanding of VFX integration and environmental storytelling, and it reflects my continued focus on building immersive, real-time effects that support gameplay and atmosphere.