WebProNews

Tag: unreal engine

  • Apple and Epic Both Gain Early Victories in Court Case

    Apple and Epic Both Gain Early Victories in Court Case

    A judge has rendered a split decision in the Apple/Epic court case, handing both sides an early victory.

    Things came to a head when Epic tried to bypass Google and Apple’s in-app purchasing rules and both companies responded by removing Fortnite from their app stores. It seemed evident that Epic had pushed the issue in an effort to get banned from the app stores and orchestrate a showdown in court. Apple responded by threatening to shut down Epic’s developer accounts, which would effectively eliminate its ability to distribute its Unreal Engine to other developers.

    Epic has been trying to get a temporary injection that would force Apple to reinstate Fornite and prevent it from terminating the developer accounts. In her initial ruling, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers refused to reinstate Fornite, saying the company chose to break its agreements with Apple, instead of abiding by them while challenging Apple in court.

    It was this action that led many to believe Epic intentionally orchestrated the ban, since the company stood to lose nothing by leaving the status quo intact while pursuing legal action. Had Epic won, any judge would have retroactively awarded damages. Instead of waiting for that, however, Epic chose a course of action it knew would lead to a ban. That action did not seem to sit well with Judge Rogers.

    “In my view you cannot have irreparable harm when you create a harm yourself,” she said in her ruling Monday, according to Courthouse News Service.

    At the same time, however, she did grant a temporary injection against Apple removing Epic’s developer accounts. As Rogers pointed out, while Epic may have breached its contract with Apple in regard to Fortnite, it has not done so in regard to its Unreal Engine. As a result, it’s not fair to punish third-party developers by cutting off their access to one of the most popular gaming engines available.

    “Epic Games and Apple are at liberty to litigate against each other, but their dispute should not create havoc to bystanders,” she wrote.

    It remains to be seen how Judge Rogers will rule on the case as a whole, but nothing less than the future of Apple’s App Store is at stake.

  • Unreal Engine 4 Features Demoed At GDC 2014

    Unreal Engine 4 Features Demoed At GDC 2014

    During the last generation, many games were built using Unreal Engine 3. For the current generation, Epic Games hopes developers will switch over to its new middleware – Unreal Engine 4. We’ve already seen the engine in action a few times in the past using Epic’s own real time demos, but it became available to all at GDC. To sell developers on its latest technology, Epic has released a new lengthy video detailing the new features in Unreal Engine 4.

    In its latest demo, Epic Games goes over some of the newest features to hit Unreal Engine 4. One of the biggest new features is its ease of us. In other words, developers will have an easier time than ever when it comes to creating environments. Developers need merely drop in the asset, size it up and and it will appear in the environment. Applying textures is just as easy since developers need only select a surface, click a texture asset and apply it to said surface.

    One of the neater aspects of Unreal Engine 4 is that it can recognize material types and can react accordingly to changes in the environment. In the demo, we’re treated to orbs made of ice, wood and metal. When shot with fire, the orb of ice melts, the wood catches on fire and the metal turns red hot. These reactions are programmed into the engine and do not require additional coding on the part of developers.

    So, why should gamers care about this? While the technical aspects may go over your head for now, it represents a sizable leap forward in development. These tools will make it easier and faster for developers to get games out the door to you – the players. The games built with Unreal Engine 4 will also look much better so those who invest a lot into visuals will not be disappointed.

    As for those who are thinking about getting into game design, Unreal Engine 4 is also much easier to use than previous iterations. It’s also incredibly cheap as the entire engine is now available to developers for $19 a month.

    In other game engine news, Ubisoft and Massive recently showed off Snowdrop – an engine powering Tom Clancy’s The Division. It’s quite a looker and has some good weather effects baked in.

    Image via GamersPrey

  • Here’s What Unreal Engine 4 On Mobile Looks Like

    Here’s What Unreal Engine 4 On Mobile Looks Like

    On Sunday night, Nvidia announced its latest mobile graphics chip – the Tegra K1. The company boasts that it’s the first 64-bit Android processor that makes use of its desktop Kepler graphics technology to deliver cutting edge visuals on mobile devices.

    To help prove this point, Nvidia teamed up with Epic Games to get Unreal Engine 4 running on the Tegra K1. Now, it should be noted that Unreal Engine 4 was built with next-gen consoles and PC in mind. To get it running on mobile seems like it would be an arduous task considering that it took Epic almost a decade to get Unreal Engine 3 running on mobile devices.

    While that may have been a concern in years past, Epic Games and Nvidia both claim that the Tegra K1 pushes mobile graphics technology forward by at least four years. This massive upgrade in power allows developers to do things previously thought impossible on mobile, like support for DirectX 11 and tessellation. This also allows Epic Games to get Unreal Engine 4 running on mobile devices without making any compromises.

    Check it out:

    The first Tegra K1 devices will be available early this year.

    Image via NVIDIA/YouTube

  • Here’s What You Can Expect Out Of Unreal Engine 4 On Next Gen Systems

    Here’s What You Can Expect Out Of Unreal Engine 4 On Next Gen Systems

    With the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One behind us, we can now focus on the upcoming games for both systems. While most of the launch games used tools from last generation game development, we’re probably going to see more and more games use the all new Unreal Engine 4 going forward.

    So, what can you expect from the latest iteration of Epic’s award winning game engine? Aside from better looking games, you can expect Unreal Engine 4 to provide developers with better special effects tools. In the below video, you’ll see a live demo of of the engine being used to better reflect how particle effects will be affected by the world around them. You’ll also get to see how water effects will be handed in the next gen engine.

    While there haven’t been many games made in Unreal Engine 4 just yet, the prevalence of Unreal Engine 3 in the last generation means that we’ll be seeing plenty of games built in Unreal Engine 4. That means that games built for next gen consoles will not only be pretty, but they will perform well too.

    [Image: GamersPrey/YouTube]

  • GDC 2013: Unreal Engine 4 Will Make You A Believer In The Next Generation

    GDC 2013: Unreal Engine 4 Will Make You A Believer In The Next Generation

    The next-generation of game consoles is quickly approaching, but there are some who claim that we don’t need new hardware. The argument usually focuses on how there’s still ways to squeeze more power out of the current generation of consoles, and how games still haven’t reached their full potential.

    At GDC 2013, Epic Games smashed that argument to bits with its latest real-time demo of Unreal Engine 4. The technology on display just isn’t currently possible on existing consoles, and it’s exciting to think what developers will do with it once they have the power to do so.

    The most exciting part about this tech demo is that it’s running on currently available PC hardware. Epic confirmed that the demo was running on a single, unmodified Nvidia GTX 680. So, we know that Unreal games built on the PC will look great, but it will be interesting to see how the engine works with the AMD hardware in the PS4 and next Xbox.

    [h/t: Polygon]

  • Court Orders Silicon Knights to Destroy Copies of Too Human, X-Men: Destiny

    Court Orders Silicon Knights to Destroy Copies of Too Human, X-Men: Destiny

    A U.S. District Court has ordered Silicon Knights to stop using Epic Games‘ Unreal Engine and destroy all of its works containing licensed Epic Games technology, including unsold copies of Too Human, X-Men: Destiny, and other unreleased titles. The destruction will have to happen no later than December 10, 2012. The court also increased the amount of money awarded to Epic Games in May of this year from $4.45 million to $9.1 million.

    This case stems from 2007, when Silicon Knights sued Epic Games, claiming that Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 wasn’t “working,” that Epic was holding back some mythical improved version of the Engine, and that these troubles had cost Silicon Knights millions of dollars. Epic successfully defended itself and countersued, winning a jury trial at the end of May. Today’s decision presents even more of a blow to Silicon Knights. From the decision:

    Not later than December 10, 2012, Silicon Knights shall destroy all versions of the Licensed Technology in its possession, including (but not limited to) the video game engine code for Too Human, The Box/Ritualyst, The Sandman, X-Men: Destiny, and Siren in the Maelstrom, all other game code that was created using the Licensed Technology, all versions of the Unreal Engine 3, and all copies of any information obtained from the licensee restricted portions of the Unreal Developer network.

    In addition, Silicon Knights will have to recall any of its games that use Epic’s code and destroy them. The developer will also have to permanently stop using Epic’s engine, and remove any of Epic’s licensed technology from its own game engine, under the supervision of Epic.

    It appears Silicon Knights could be done as a game developer if this decision stands. With its last two (poorly reviewed) games not even on store shelves and a white screen sitting where the code for its future games should be, it’s hard to imagine a publisher investing in a new title with the company.

    (via Joystiq)

  • Epic, Square Enix Sign Long-Term Unreal Engine Deal

    Epic, Square Enix Sign Long-Term Unreal Engine Deal

    Epic Games and Square Enix today announced an agreement that will allow Square Enix to develop “multiple games” using Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 and Unreal Engine 4 technology.

    “Epic has a strong relationship with Square Enix, and it’s an honor to provide their creative and technical talent with the best game technology available for licensing,” said Taka Kawasaki, territory manager for Epic Games Japan. “We look forward to supporting their developers with world-class tools for years to come.”

    Epic Games Japan worked directly with Square Enix on the licensing deal. Epic stated that the agreement will “supplement Square Enix’s proprietary software and ensure the studio is armed with the most powerful game development tools and technologies available across all major platforms.”

    This deal makes it unclear what the future of Square Enix’s own Luminous Studio engine might be. Luminous Studio was previewed earlier this year at E3, where it debuted with a beautiful Final Fantasy-inspired tech demo.

    The deal also makes it perfectly clear, however, that Unreal Engine 4 will continue the Unreal Engine’s legacy of being the backbone of many high-profile games. Unreal Engine 4 was also shown off at this year’s E3, including a demonstration of the advanced features the engine has for developers. Last month, Epic announced a new Seattle studio that will focus on developing Unreal Engine 4.

    Unreal Engine 3, which will power upcoming games such as Gears of War: Judgment and Lost Planet 3, won’t be retired anytime soon, though. The engine is now being used to develop mobile games for smartphones and tablets. A demo released in August showed an Unreal Engine 3 tech demo running on a Windows 8 RT tablet.

  • Epic Games Launches New Studio For Unreal Engine 4

    Epic Games Launches New Studio For Unreal Engine 4

    Epic Games today announced that it has created a new Seattle development studio that will focus on its Unreal Engine 4. The company has begun hiring developers to fill the studio, including programmers and support staff.

    “The proximity to key partners, the density of world-class talent and all the factors that make Seattle an attractive place to live convinced us that it is the perfect locale for Epic’s West Coast operation,” said Michael Capps, Epic Games president. “We are looking to hire even more of the best engineers around to contribute to Unreal Engine 4, which we believe is set to change the way we all make games.”

    Epic unveiled its Unreal Engine 4 at this year’s E3, and garnered tons of praise for it from the gaming press. And while Square Enix also demoed its Luminous Studio engine at E3 with a beautiful Final Fantasy-inspired trailer, Epic’s demonstration of Unreal Engine 4’s development tools shows why it is confident its new engine will be the framework for many next-generation games. Epic’s demo revealed that developers using the Unreal Engine 4 software will be able to customize the editor interface with dock-able, resizable toolbars and compile code on-the-fly, allowing for fast modification and iteration while testing a game.

    Meanwhile, Epic isn’t ditching the Unreal Engine 3. The company demonstrated last week that its current-generation engine can work quite well on upcoming Windows 8 RT tablets.

    A list of Seattle programming positions Epic is hiring for can be seen on Epic’s website.

  • Chinese Telco Invests in Epic Games

    Chinese Telco Invests in Epic Games

    Tencent Holdings Limited, a Chinese internet, mobile, and telecommunications provider, announced today that it has acquired a minority stake in Epic Games, Inc. Epic is the development studio behind the Unreal Engine and video game titles such as the Gears of War series. Tencent classifies the investment as a strategic one, and states that Epic will continue to operate independently. The amount of the investment was not disclosed.

    “We’ve developed a huge amount of respect for the Epic team for many years now, as dedicated players of Epic’s games and as licensees of Epic’s Unreal Engine technology,” said David Wallerstein, senior executive vice president of Tencent. “Epic’s deep commitment to quality across all of its games and technologies inspires us. They’ve been raising expectations in gaming for two decades now and they’re just getting started. We have a lot that we can learn from each other, and we look forward to supporting the Epic team as they embark on their next phase of gaming innovation across both emerging and familiar platforms.”

    Epic had two major announcements at this year’s E3. The company is helping to develop Gears of War: Judgment, a prequel to the original Gears of War game. Epic also showed off its new Unreal Engine 4 at the trade show. The updated engine features better lighting, reflection, and particle effects, as well as a modable editor interface that allows developers to compile code on-the-fly.

    “Tencent’s investment will empower Epic to help us do even more of what we do best, which is making great games and game technology,” said Epic president Michael Capps. Their expertise in the global online gaming market is second-to-none, and the opportunity to work with them to bring richer experiences to players all over the world is irresistible. Epic is excited to be full steam ahead on all of its current plans for this generation of games and the next, with the support of a fantastic partner that believes in our strategy and shares our dream.”

  • Unreal Engine 4 Detailed by Epic Artist

    Unreal Engine 4 Detailed by Epic Artist

    The big developers and console makers of E3 have exhausted their supply of surprises for the year, so the gaming community is now left to sort through the endless scraps of indie titles and small publishers for creative surprises. It is also the part of E3 when technical demos begin to appear, showing off how the next generation of computer graphics will look. The trailers for both Square Enix’s Luminous Studio engine and Epic’s Unreal Engine 4 have already been shown off extensively. Now, a GameTrailers interview featuring a walkthrough of all the features included in the updated Unreal Engine has surfaced.

    Epic Games Senior Technical Artist Alan Willard shows off the engine’s lighting, reflection, and particle effects the engine can handle. The remarkable part of the presentation is made clear at around the five-minute mark, when Willard reveals that everything is taking place within the editor that game developers will use. The editor interface has gotten a makeover, allowing toolbars to be docked and resized as needed. In addition, the engine allows developers to compile code on-the-fly, making it easy to modify aspects of the game and immediately see their affects. Take a look at the demo yourself, and see what developers will soon be using to create the next generation of games:

    Obviously, this is a sales pitch to developers, but it’s a fairly impressive demonstration of Unreal Engine 4’s capabilities, one that is certain to lure plenty of developers into licensing the engine. Hopefully the changes to the engine will lead to shorter development cycles of more impressive games, which is what this software could really mean to gamers.

  • Unreal Engine 4 Trailer Shown at E3

    Unreal Engine 4 Trailer Shown at E3

    Though you might not be able to tell from the coverage of it, E3 is often more than just a show to debut games, gaming hardware, and accessories. It is also the place where companies market game development tools to the studios in attendance. This year, both Square Enix and Epic Games showed off their next generation game engines with beautiful trailers. Earlier this week Square Enix demonstrated Luminous Studio, the company’s future game engine, with a spectacular Final Fantasy-inspired trailer full of action, magic, and beautifully-rendered human forms.

    Now, Epic Games is showing off the newest version of the Unreal Engine with its own trailer. While Square Enix’s trailer seems to focus on showing off Luminous Studio’s capabilities when it comes to rendering flesh and the movement of living things, it also features quite a bit of shaky-cam, which seems odd for a tech demonstration. Epic’s trailer, while not as immediately impressive, shows off Unreal Engine 4’s modeling and lighting capabilities with lingering camera movement punctuated by quick, dynamic events that demonstrate the engine’s abilities.

    While Luminous Studio at first looks more impressive, a closer look at the Unreal Engine 4 trailer below will show that it has great variety of lighting sources and matches Luminous’ detail in some places. There is no denying, though, that Square Enix’s trailer is a lot more fun to watch. Take a look for yourself at the “Elemental” trailer for the Unreal Engine 4 and enjoy the flowing lava, crumbling rock, and variety of the landscape.

  • Unreal Game Engine Licensed to Government Agencies

    The same game engine used to develop games like Batman: Arkham City, and the Gears of War and Mass Effect Series is now being licensed to the FBI and other government agencies for the development of training programs, the BBC is reporting. The licensing agreement is between Epic Games and Virtual Heroes, a division of Applied Research Associates (ARA).

    Virtual Heroes is in turn licensing the technology to U.S. government agencies through the establishment of the Unreal Government Network (UGN). UGN projects underway include training programs designed to help intelligence offices remain objective in the field when assessing a situation as well as crime scene simulations for FBI officers.

    Other applications include medical training in civilian and combat scenarios as well as visualization tools for weapons developers.

    Though monetary details were not given for most of the programs, The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) is said to have paid Virtual Heroes over $10 million in a multi-year contract to develop training software for intelligence officers.

    Up until now, Virtual Heroes has developed Moonbase Alpha, a “serious” game that uses current NASA technology to help the user repair equipment on a fictitious moon base. They have also release Zero Hour: America’s Medic, a training simulation that prepares first responders for a “mass casualty incident” like an earthquake or terrorist attack.

    This comes after a speech given by Col. Robert White, deputy commander of the Combined Arms Center – Training, at an Army conference in Orlando earlier this week, in which he details the importance of video games in combat training.

    “One of my responsibilities is setting the future course for training in the Army,” White said. “And as you all know, gaming has a significant role in that future. Every leader struggles with limited time, dollars and resources. Those same leaders know it’s better to practice something first before you do it for real in live training. Live training is where our highest risk and greatest expense comes from.”

    Col. White applauded gaming for its ability to take decision making scenarios to the individual soldier, and the ability to cost effectively complete scenarios multiple times it insure maximum retention.

    With the realism present in modern games, it should be no surprise that games are being used in training simulations. The only problem will be attaining those lifelike graphics on a budget that is considerably less than what commercial game developers can afford.