Quick answer: Unreal data asset referenced via ConfigCachedIni but missing in cooked build? Soft references in ini files don't trigger cook - add to AssetManager primary asset rules.

Item database loads fine in PIE. Cooked Shipping build returns null at the same path - the asset wasn't cooked.

Register with Asset Manager

In DefaultGame.ini: +PrimaryAssetTypesToScan=(PrimaryAssetType="Item",AssetBaseClass="/Script/Game.ItemData",bHasBlueprintClasses=False,bIsEditorOnly=False,Directories=((Path="/Game/Data/Items"))). The cooker now walks the directory and includes everything.

Or use hard references

If small enough, hold the asset as a hard UPROPERTY. Cooker follows hard refs unconditionally.

Verify with the asset audit

UE Editor: Tools > Audit > Asset Audit > cooked filter

Lists every asset in the cooked build. If yours isn't here, no amount of runtime reference will load it.

“The cooker doesn't read your config. It reads your dependency graph.”

Use Asset Manager primary asset types as your scaling pattern from day one. Refactoring to it after launch is painful.