Why is my Data Asset missing in shipping but works in PIE?

PIE loads any asset on disk; cooked builds only include assets the cooker decides are referenced. If your code loads by string at runtime, the cooker doesn't see the reference and skips the asset. Add the directory to Project Settings → Packaging → Additional Asset Directories To Cook.

What's the right pattern for runtime-loaded data?

Define a UPrimaryDataAsset subclass with a unique PrimaryAssetType. Register it via PrimaryAssetTypesToScan in Asset Manager settings. Load by FPrimaryAssetId, which the cooker tracks.

Are TSoftObjectPtr references enough?

If you have a TSoftObjectPtr in a UPROPERTY of a cooked-referenced asset (e.g. on a UDeveloperSettings or default-loaded class), yes. The cooker walks soft references in serialized properties. Bare runtime string-based loads don't qualify.

Fix: Unreal Data Asset Loaded in PIE but Missing in Cooked Build

Quick answer: Project Settings → Packaging → Additional Asset Directories To Cook → add the folder. Or convert to a UPrimaryDataAsset and register a PrimaryAssetType in Asset Manager. The cooker only ships what it knows you’ll need.

Your enemy stat tables are DataAssets in /Game/Data/Enemies. PIE finds and loads them. Shipping build crashes with “Failed to load /Game/Data/Enemies/Goblin.” The cooker dropped them.

The Symptom

Asset works in editor and PIE. Cooked Shipping (or Development) build can’t find the asset at the same path. LoadObject returns null. Crash on dereference.

The Fix Patterns

Pattern 1: AlwaysCook directories. Project Settings → Packaging → Additional Asset Directories To Cook. Add /Game/Data/Enemies (or whatever paths). The cooker includes everything in those directories regardless of references.

Coarse but reliable. Bigger packages.

Pattern 2: Asset Manager + UPrimaryDataAsset.

// EnemyDef.h
UCLASS()
class UEnemyDef : public UPrimaryDataAsset
{
    GENERATED_BODY()
public:
    virtual FPrimaryAssetId GetPrimaryAssetId() const override
    {
        return FPrimaryAssetId("EnemyDef", GetFName());
    }

    UPROPERTY(EditDefaultsOnly) int32 Health;
    UPROPERTY(EditDefaultsOnly) FText DisplayName;
};

Project Settings → Asset Manager → Primary Asset Types To Scan:

+ EnemyDef:
    Asset Base Class:    UEnemyDef
    Has Blueprint Classes: false
    Is Editor Only:      false
    Directories:         /Game/Data/Enemies
    Rules > Cook Rule:   Always Cook

Now the cooker scans the directory, registers each asset, and includes them.

Load via UAssetManager::Get().GetPrimaryAssetIdList(...) + LoadPrimaryAsset.

Verifying

Cook for Shipping. Inspect the .pak with UnrealPak --List. Your assets should appear. If not, the directory isn’t covered. Adjust either AlwaysCook directories or Asset Manager rules.

“Tell the cooker. AlwaysCook or PrimaryAsset. Shipping finds them.”

Related Issues

For Blueprint async task pending, see async task. For Niagara mesh attribute, see Niagara mesh.

Cooker sees what you tell it. Tell it.