So, using Unreal Engine you can literally make an entire 3D game with full next-gen graphics without dropping a line of code.
Now, shipping it to console will most definitely require some C++ and so would Steam I think.
But "Blueprints" are a visual programming language that seriously kicks ass. I believe the end product even compiles down to C++ classes so you don't lose much performance in release mode.
The only thing where it makes no sense is algorithms like A* Path finding, which are far more suited to be written in code than a gezillion nodes linked to each other in a screen of Spaghetti.
Just yesterday marked the 1 year anniversary of Dreams, a PS4 entirely visual development tool.
The concept is similar to the UE4's blueprints, but even more visual and with a much more "general" language approach.
(it also combines 3D modeling and music creation in the same editor).
While I think code is faster and more direct, it also require a quite specific type of person to "enjoy" it. Most people don't.
Humans are mostly visual creatures, so that's a great way to approach and create a piece of software, without having to learn an entirely alien dictionary and grammar just to thinker around.
I built a small game with blueprints and it was truly amazing.
I don't use them anymore because I am just so embedded in thinking of things in code, it became tedious to constantly convert code thoughts into blueprints. But I was definitely impressed!
I would probably use it for projects that are mostly art and only a little bit of logic. A walking simulator style game for example. But if I am building out bigger systems, I feel more comfortable in code.
Now, shipping it to console will most definitely require some C++ and so would Steam I think.
But "Blueprints" are a visual programming language that seriously kicks ass. I believe the end product even compiles down to C++ classes so you don't lose much performance in release mode.
The only thing where it makes no sense is algorithms like A* Path finding, which are far more suited to be written in code than a gezillion nodes linked to each other in a screen of Spaghetti.