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Unreal Engine is considered one of the most popular and professional game-making tools today. So what is Unreal Engine? How does it work and its development trends? Let’s find out in the article below!
What is Unreal Engine (UE)?
Unreal Engine (UE) is a game engine – software used to build and design a video game created by 28-year-old programmer Tim Sweeney. It allows users to create 3D images and interactive effects with high image quality and smooth motion. It features high map customization, which can create object-rich environments with rich lights and colors, and blur surface textures when far away.
In addition, the game engine can also handle sound effects, lighting effects, physical impact effects, and build artificial intelligence (AI) to control the actions of the characters in the game. This engine can be used for game development on many platforms from PC to consoles such as PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Besides, it supports 2 programming languages, Python and C++.
Unreal Engine has created a revolution in the history of the game industry, helping to save a lot of time and effort while still bringing high efficiency.
History of the Unreal engine
How was UE created?
Unreal was first released as a first-person shooter game by Epic in 1998, in which founder Tim Sweeney contributed 90% of the creative process. The Unreal game at this time, developed by the Unreal Engine system, has attracted many people’s interest. At that time, the game gave players extreme map customization, the ability to create object-rich environments with rich lights and colors, …
This engine created a huge craze in the game world. It is constantly being improved, through versions it has added impressive features and has become an indispensable toolkit for producing blockbuster games. Moreover, this engine is also used in the effects production stages for Hollywood blockbusters such as Jurassic Park, Independence Day, …
Unreal Engine’s ability is to create new algorithms, render maps to create 3D images of objects, fire, and explosions that look real. Currently, it has released the Unreal Engine 5 version that makes the whole game world voyeuristic and amazed. The detailed surface effects and lighting effects displayed by this engine show that the line between game and real life is thinner than ever.
By 2014, it was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful game engine in the world when there were more than 408 games in the world using this technology.
UE versions
- Unreal Engine 1
The first version of UE was released to players in 1998. At this time, the game that was released and developed on UE was Unreal. The original UE was an engine that relied entirely on software rendering, which meant that the graphics calculations were handled by the CPU. Over time, it was able to take advantage of the capabilities offered by the graphics card in the processing.
- Unreal Engine 2
UE 2 is the successor version released in 2002. At this time, Epic combined with the US military to produce a first-person shooter game to serve the military recruitment process. This generation features significant improvements in rendering as well as new enhancements to the toolkit, capable of running nearly 100 times more detailed levels than the previous generation.
The tool integrates many features, including cinematic editing tools, particle system, export plug-ins for 3D.
- Unreal Engine 3
UE 3 was introduced in July 2004. It has new features such as showing programmers about object-oriented design. The renderer, the physics, the sound system, and the tools – all noticeably clearer and more powerful than the previous version.
- Unreal Engine 4
UE 4 was announced to attendees at the 2012 game developers conference. This release adds real-time global lighting and uses a voxel cone track.
- Unreal Engine 5
UE 5 is released in 2020. One of its key features is Nanite, a tool that allows importing highly detailed image source material into the game. This tool makes it easy for developers to create detailed game worlds without having to spend a lot of time creating new details.
Some outstanding Unreal Engine games
Some games using UE technology can be mentioned such as Deus Ex, BioShock, Borderlands, Street Fighter V, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Fortnite, … These are all titles with extreme graphics that created a huge fever and were highly appreciated by players for their experience and interactivity.
The purposes of UE
The birth of the Unreal engine has provided game developers with a set of background tools to make graphics development easier. Thanks to it, one can develop games with lifelike graphics without spending a lot of time and effort. Especially in the game industry – an industry that is extremely competitive and has an exponential growth rate, intellectual products are vital.
This engine was born with the purpose of solving the urgent requirements of cost reduction and creativity, thereby reducing costs and continuing to maintain attractiveness with consumers.
Besides, Unreal engine also promotes competition within the game industry. On the basis of it, developers will have to do their best to both achieve the current “standard” graphics requirements, and “sharper” and more unique to be able to make a mark.
Popular features and uses
Mobile
UE gives you the tools to create a game from 2D to 3D with excellent graphics on iOS and Android platforms.
Blueprints
Blueprints Visual Scripting allows you to quickly run tests and publish a finished game quickly. You can also try your hand at creating your own games without necessarily knowing too much about programming.
Tools
Unreal is a complete set of tools to help you perfectly build every aspect of your Project. There are also advanced features like physically-based rendering, UI, animation, visual effects, networking, and asset management.
Source Code
All Game developers using Unreal Engine are allowed to use C++ Editor Source Code. This engine can customize and debug its game.
Marketplace
Provides you with game code sheets that help you speed up the programming and development of a Game with existing sample projects, art, audio, blueprint logic even pre-written lines of C++ code.
The advantages of Unreal Engine
There are some benefits of UE as below:
Various tools
Unreal Engine allows the use of tools to create mountainous terrain, lakes, … depending on the intended use of each person. Not only that, users just need to add resources downloaded from Quixel Megascan and arrange on the terrain. Planting grass, attaching trees, or arranging stones into stairs is easier than ever.
Flexibility in creativity
Users will be able to use game designers, Architecture, TVC designers for Automotive and Transportation, TV programs and online events Broadcast and Live Events, … to Film and Television. Especially in the architectural industry, design drawings will become more vivid and easier to convince customers when designed with Unreal Engine, because of its authenticity and visualization.
Unreal Engine is free for everyone
Unreal Engine is a completely free design tool for everyone to experience and use. UE simplifies the interface and usage to give users the freedom to create while still maintaining professionalism. Everyone can create their own game according to their creativity completely for free.
Unreal Engine and development trends
Unreal Engine is one of the leading game engines used in the gaming industry. It has brought game making to everyone in a simpler and more economical way, so it is very popular and applied in most of the new games today.
According to Newzoo’s forecast, UE will reach 200 billion USD by 2023 if it continues with the current development momentum. This will remain the trump card of the Epic Games house in the future. It has always been researched by Epic Games so that it can still dominate the world’s game market for a long time in the future.
Related post: What is Unreal Engine? Unreal Engine history and current development trend
Conclusion
UE is one of the leading game engines used in the game industry these days. We have given you quite a bit of information about Unreal Engine in this article, hope that it will be useful to you. If you have any questions about modern engines in the animation industry, please leave a comment below. Come back to us for the latest news about animation.
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