Game engine is the basis of the game development process. Among the huge variety of them we'd like to analyse the major ones: Unity, Unreal Engine and CryEngine.
If you are a game developer and have a new adventure in your mind, you should first make a decision what game engine is better to choose. Perhaps, you have already used one of the options in a market and probably achieved some good results. However, different projects have different needs and requirements, and with so many choices available today it can be hard to find the one that fits perfectly. Each engine for sure possesses its advantages and Program-Ace decided to guide you in the world of game tools and created a quick overview of most effective and favorite game engines.
CryEngine
BIO
Developed by: Crytek (Germany)
Games Created: Crisis, Sniper: Ghost Warrior, Far Cry, Warface
Language: C++
Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Wii U, PS 3, PS 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Engine Overview
CryEngine is a cross-platform game engine that was initially focused on IBM PC-compatible computers and game consoles like Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3, as well as their subsequent versions. In addition, the engine is oriented on the development of Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG). CryEngine 3 is now fully commercial, but there is also a Free SDK version.
Features Overview
CryEngine works under “What You See is What You Play” (WYSIWYP) model. This engine offers its users an ability to change and optimize the gameplay in real-time. Thanks to cross-platform nature improvements and updates made by developers can instantly be seen on all chosen platforms.
Crytek has demonstrated abilities of CryEngine in Crysis 3 preview trailer. This game engine possesses a number of excellent features that allow users to create a realistic and detailed picture.
Pixel Accurate Displacement Mapping is an extremely powerful feature that allows developers to eliminate any distortion of pixels during the change of the scene.
Features of Global 3D Illumination, Volumetric Cloud & Fog Shadows, and Cloth & Vegetation Simulation significantly increase the quality and realness of game environment and characters in real-time.
Crytek makes its best to keep CryEngine industry leaders top; however, this is a relatively young game engine, and it hasn't got such extended and amazing graphical capabilities as Unity or Unreal Engine, for example. Besides, it's not so well-documented as other above-mentioned industry leaders.
Unity
BIO
Developed by: Unity Technologies (USA)
Games Created: Hitman Snipper, The Room Two, Angry Birds, Torment: Tides of Numenera
Language: C#, JavaScript
Supported Platforms: 20+ platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, Win Phone, BlackBerry, Wii, Wii U, PS 3, PS 4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo and more
Engine Overview
Unity is a cross-platform game engine for 2D and 3D application and game development, running on Windows and OS X operating systems. Unity allows developers to create different apps and adventures for desktops, mobile platforms, and game consoles. In addition, such applications can run in browsers using Unity Web Player or WebGL technology. Unity is one of the most powerful of existing engines that is often connected in consumer mind with mobile game development. However, Unity for sure is more than capable to create a realistic adventure with incredible graphics and gameplay.
Features Overview
The latest update of Unity engine introduced a range of finest features that help to improve graphics, animation and 2D/3D physics. In addition, Unity Technologies developers paid special attention to natural shadows and lighting of the characters and game environment and created Real-time Global Illumination feature based on Geometric Enlighten science.
Creators improved audio capabilities of Unity by including new native plug-ins, ability to customize sounds and create and call personal scripts.
Betterings in 2D and 3D physics greatly enhanced overall performance of the final app.
Today Unity became industry standard game engine with its intuitive and easy-to-understand interface. However, it loses a few points to Unreal Engine in some respects but wins in others at the same time.
Unreal Engine
BIO
Developed by: Epic games (USA)
Games Created: Assassin's Creed, BioShock, Dead Island, Mortal Combat, Mass Effect
Language: C++
Supported Platforms: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox One, PS 4
Engine Overview
Unreal Engine, we have to admit, is the most popular game engine with an impressive list of released and upcoming games. Also, it possesses an incredible multi-platform capacities. UE possesses the most incredible graphical capacities with progressive lighting and shadow capabilities. Games created with Unreal Engine distinguished from others by incredibly realistic and detailing game environment, addictive gameplay and well-drawn characters.
Features Overview
The latest version of Unreal Engine 4 mainly focuses on improvements in animation, graphics, and global lighting. Besides, to simplify the porting process, Unreal Engine uses a modular system of dependent components. In addition, it supports various rendering and sound systems, tools for voice reproduction, speech recognition and uphold various input devices.
The amazing AI feature allows developers to endow the characters with thorough knowledge of the game world and give them an ability to make more natural and intelligent movements. Also, the engine has a large and supportive community and is extremely well-documented.
Of course, it's pretty hard to describe full power and effectiveness of UE in one article because it will probably take a lifetime to read. This game engine gives developers amazing opportunities to create something very special.
To summarize all above mentioned it should be said that every game engine has its own pros and cons, and it can be confusing to choose one of the many for a specific project.
