Video games have evolved exponentially since their inception, and one of the fundamental pillars that has enabled their development is the video game engine. A game engine is software that provides a platform for creating and developing video games. In this article, we will explore what a video game engine is and the main exponents in the market that have revolutionized the digital entertainment industry.
What is a Video Game Engine?
A video game engine is a suite of programming tools and libraries that allow developers to create, design, and program video games more efficiently and effectively. These engines provide a wide range of functions, such as 2D and 3D graphics, animation, physics, artificial intelligence, sound, and more. By using a game engine, developers can focus on creativity and gameplay instead of having to create everything from scratch.
Main Features of a Video Game Engine.
- Graphics: Provides a set of tools for rendering 2D and 3D graphics, allowing visually stunning worlds and characters to be created.
- Physics: Simulates realistic behaviors of objects and characters, such as collisions, gravity, and movement.
- Animation: Facilitates the creation of animations for characters and objects, adding life and realism to the game.
- Artificial Intelligence: Offers tools to program the behavior of non-playable characters and enemies, creating challenges for the player.
- Sound: Allows the integration of sound effects and music to enhance the player’s experience.
- Resource Management: Helps manage assets, such as images, 3D models, and sounds, for efficient project organization.
Main Video Game Engines on the market.
Unity
Unity is a real-time 3D development platform, graphics engine, and leading cross-platform tool for creating video games, interactive applications, simulations, and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) experiences for more than 25 platforms, using C# for programming, with a visual editor and a large ecosystem of resources (Assets) for designers and developers of all levels.
Unreal Engine
Developed by Epic Games. Unreal Engine is a powerful and versatile real-time 3D creation engine for developing video games, movies, architectural visualizations, simulations, and immersive experiences, offering comprehensive rendering, animation, and logic tools, with free versions to get started and a royalty system only when selling successful products. It allows programming with C++ or visually with Blueprints, and includes advanced technologies such as Nanite for detailed geometry and Lumen for realistic real-time lighting, making it a leading choice for high-fidelity graphics across multiple platforms.
CryEngine
CryEngine is a powerful multi-platform video game engine developed by German company Crytek (creators of Far Cry and Crysis), used to create visually stunning games, especially first-person shooters, known for their photorealism and for developing VR/AR experiences, allowing developers to create high-quality games for PCs and consoles.
GODOT
Godot Engine is a free, open-source, cross-platform video game engine that allows you to easily and efficiently create 2D and 3D games and applications for PC, mobile, and web. It stands out for its intuitive node system, its own Python-like scripting language (GDScript), and its permissive license (MIT) that does not require royalties. It is a popular alternative to engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, ideal for beginners and professionals alike, as it offers a complete development environment with no hidden costs.
Construct 3
Developed by Scirra LTD. Construct 3 is a powerful browser-based 2D game engine and editor, ideal for creating video games without the need for traditional programming, using a visual event system, allowing export to multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop) and being excellent for beginners and education, as it works directly in the browser and facilitates intuitive game creation.
GameMaker
GameMaker is a multi-platform video game development engine, famous for facilitating the creation of 2D games, ideal for both beginners and professionals, offering visual programming (Drag & Drop) and its own scripting language called GML (GameMaker Language), inspired by JavaScript and C++, allowing games to be exported to various platforms such as PCs, mobile devices, and consoles.
Cocos Creator
Cocos Creator is a free and open-source 2D/3D game engine and content creation platform, very popular among developers for being multiplatform (web, iOS, Android, PC) and having an intuitive visual editor for building games efficiently, mainly using JavaScript for logic. It combines the power of Cocos2d-x with a modern workflow, allowing you to create high-quality experiences for various platforms, from complex games to instant web entertainment.
GDevelop
GDevelop is a free, open-source, no-code game engine that allows you to create 2D and 3D video games visually, using an intuitive “conditions and actions” system instead of traditional programming, although it also allows JavaScript for greater complexity. It allows you to publish games on multiple platforms such as the web, iOS, Android, and Steam, offering a fast and accessible way for beginners and professionals alike to bring their game ideas to life.
Conclusion
Video game engines are at the heart of the digital entertainment industry, enabling developers to create amazing and captivating experiences for gamers. These engines provide a robust and versatile platform to bring developers’ imagination and creativity to life, which has led to the creation of some of the world’s most beloved and successful games. By choosing the right game engine, developers can maximize efficiency, optimize quality, and deliver unique experiences that captivate gamers around the world.
Digital Technology Consultant | Digital Project Manager | Consulting and Training | Gamification and Advergaming project design.
He has 16 years of experience in marketing, administration, and project management for the design and development of websites, custom web systems, mobile apps, advergaming, and gamification. Course facilitator and university professor, in subjects, focused on web design and development.
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