Unity Engine
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Unity is buying Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital to help prepare for the metaverse
nity Technologies, the company behind the Unity engine, is buying Weta Digital.
Unity will add native NVIDIA DLSS support to its game engine
The tech boost performance and visual acuity in games with little work needed for developers.
Report: Google among potential buyers of Unity gaming engine
Unity, the little gaming engine that could, may soon have new owners, according to a Cnet report. For those unaware, Unity is an increasingly ubiquitous engine on which a diverse cast of developers have built a number of popular, wildly disparate games including hits such as Blizzard's Hearthstone, rocket science simulator Kerbal Space Program and post-apocalyptic roleplaying game Wasteland 2. Though initially developed for OS X, Unity has since been ported to 15 other platforms, making it both relatively quick and easy for games built on Unity to appear on a wide range of popular devices with little additional effort required from their developers. Now, Cnet claims, the Unity team is considering a sale. Specifics on who might buy Unity (or how much they might pay for it) are lacking from the report, but Cnet does name Google among potential suitors. Studios using Unity may find this news alarming, as the engine's greatest strength has always been its wealth of developer support options and there's no telling how that aspect of the technology will fare in the hands of a major corporation. Still, it's a bit early to fret over this deal too much. Cnet's sources aren't entirely sure that the Unity team is actively seeking buyers, only that "either the company has been courting potential deals or responding to interest from its partners and other companies." [Image: Unity]
ID@Xbox developers achieve Unity
The Unity engine, known for powering independently-developed games like Slender: The Eight Pages and Oddworld: New N Tasty, has come to Xbox One. Any developers signed on as part of the ID@Xbox program with an Xbox One dev kit now have access to the engine completely free of charge, Unity (the company) announced via its blog. The build available now is version 4.3, but Unity 5.0 is the goal. "Unity 5.0 will eventually be our recommended version for all Xbox One development," the blog states. "However, we will continue to make updates for the Unity 4.3 version of the product including XDK upgrades into 2015 to ensure teams that have already built to this version of the product can ship." That's good news for several high-profile Xbox One games that are already using Unity, including Ori and the Blind Forest, Cuphead and Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime. [Image: Moon Studios]
Sony eases PS4 indie development with new publishing tools
As if Sony's support of independent developers hasn't been apparent enough, the console manufacturer will make it easier for indies to bring their games to Sony's platforms. The company announced partnerships today to offer PS4 exporting tools for game development software GameMaker: Studio and MonoGame for free to licensed Sony Computer Entertainment developers. Sony also made "fully-integrated solutions" for PS3 and Vita available for Unity users, with an early access PS4 version arriving on Unity in April. Lastly, the company opted to offer its Authoring Tools Framework as a free, open source download available on GitHub. SCE uses the framework to help craft games like The Last of Us and Beyond: Two Souls. Created by Yo Yo Games, GameMaker was used to create games such as Hyper Light Drifter, Risk of Rain and Nuclear Throne. Conversely, MonoGame is the backbone of games like TowerFall: Ascension, Mercenary Kings and Transistor. One GameMaker-developed game is Savant Ascent, which Yo Yo Games named as its favorite game of 2013 for the development platform. The stylistic shooter was announced for PS4 this morning following its debut on PC, Mac, iOS and Android in December. [Image: Matt Makes Games]
Cross-platform Android and iOS gaming arriving through Google Play
Android phone and tablet owners and iOS devotees might not be quite so divided in the video game space soon. Features recently added to Google Play game services, the tool used by developers to manage items like leaderboards and achievements in Android, included new multiplayer options for iOS devices. Additionally, as Engadget pointed out, an update to the Unity engine allows cross-platform multiplayer for iOS and Android players. Google Play game services also received a change to their categories, bringing the total number of video game genres on the platform to 18. Lastly, Google plans to launch a "game gifts" service, which will allow players to send one another in-game items. The company launched its game services software development kit in May 2013 as an answer to Apple's Game Center service. Google also recently purchased Android controller manufacturer Green Throttle Games. [Image: Google]
Unity engine comes to Vita with full feature set in tow
In its ongoing quest to support every gaming platform in existence, the Unity engine is now available to developers on Sony's Vita handheld. According to a blog post on the Unity website, the Vita version of Unity supports all of the handheld's unique features including touchscreen sensitivity, dual analog joysticks, the Vita's front- and rear-facing cameras and its gyroscopic motion sensors. In addition, the engine also supports the features of the PlayStation Network, allowing developers to easily integrate trophies and friends list support into games developed on Unity. Most crucially, the addition of Unity support to the Vita will make it easier to port games from the handheld to other platforms supported by the engine. Instead of having to rewrite a game's code from scratch, developers can now build a game in Unity and with a few relatively simple tweaks port it to other Unity platforms. In March, an agreement was announced to bring the Unity engine to all Sony gaming machines. This should make development of future cross-play games less resource-intensive.
Shroud of the Avatar dev update shows off Unity scene jam winner, collectors coin
Portalarium's latest Shroud of the Avatar dev blog is up, and its topics range from community contests to the wood grain of a miller's table. The blog introduces the Sigil of Magic, which is an artistic representation of the way Shroud of the Avatar's nine schools of magic interact with one another, along with a new official collectors coin, which will be sent out as a reward for those who backed Shroud of the Avatar at the Early Founder Collector Pledge level or above. Additionally, the blog leaps into each of the game's different crafting tables and talks a bit about their artistic influence. The studio also used the blog to declare a winner in its recent Unity Scene Jam contest. The contest gave Shroud of the Avatar fans 48 hours to build a scene featuring a lunar rift using the Unity engine and some provided resources. The winner will receive a Knight-level pledge, a signed game box, and a Shroud of the Avatar t-shirt. Check out the scene in a dev-hosted video after the break.
Mini TARDIS really is bigger on the inside, thanks to augmented reality (video)
Once in a while we'd come across some cool DIY projects inspired by Doctor Who, the world's longest-running sci-fi TV show, but nothing beats this little TARDIS that would actually make you gasp out the classic line: "It's bigger on the inside!" Greg Kumparak, a former writer of sister site TechCrunch, initially built nothing more than just a convincing model of the iconic blue police box (with a functioning light at the top) by hand, but soon afterwards he wanted to somehow give it an interior as well. By utilizing the Blender 3D creation suite (which was a first for Kumparak), Unity 3D engine and Qualcomm's Vuforia AR SDK, the result is an Android app that renders the 3D interior atop the random wave-like pattern -- visible once the door's removed -- on the TARDIS in real time (no pun intended). Once you've seen the demo video after the break, you'd probably agree that Kumparak's only one sonic screwdriver away from becoming an honorary Time Lord. For more detail on how and why this project was put together, head over to Kumparak's blog post.
Unity and Nintendo partner to bring Unity Engine, and its 1.2 million devs, to Wii U
Unity Engine is best known for supporting mobile and digital games, but Unity Technologies CEO David Helgason sees his company's game development engine as more flexible than that. Nintendo apparently does as well, partnering with Unity on a worldwide licensing agreement that offers first- and third-party developers Pro level engine access to Unity's tools for Wii U development. The partnership also grandfathers in the existing 1.2 million Unity licensees to the Wii U platform, which Helgason tells us is, "extremely easy" to port to -- Unity's calling the partnership an "excellent opportunity" to port existing Unity games from "thousands of studios currently developing mobile and social games." The partnership's effects aren't immediate, however, as Unity Engine's Wii U support won't go live until 2013, which tells us that we won't see any fruit from the collaboration until some point in 2013 at the earliest. When pushed, Helgason wouldn't out any potential games headed to the Wii U via Unity, nor would he offer up names of studios interested in working with Nintendo's next console. It's not hard to imagine big Unity games like Slender and Rochard ending up ported to the Wii U, of course, but it sounds like we'll have to wait a bit longer before we hear which games will benefit from the partnership first.
Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 to play nice with Unity game engine
You can't have too many supported platforms and Unity Technologies seems to agree, announcing that its self-titled game creation tool will be coming to both Windows 8 and its mobile sibling. According to CEO David Helgason, "The Unity community has been asking for access to Windows Phones and have been eagerly anticipating the release of Windows 8. We're happy to announce that we will support both." He added that several of its games will also be making their way to Atom processor-powered Android phones soon.
Autodesk Scaleform lets you use Flash to build high-end portable device games for $299 (video)
Got some great smartphone game ideas and Flash talent, but no budget and little to no programming savvy? Autodesk's Scaleform for Mobile Platforms could let you launch those ideas from a catapult, cannon or any game weapon of your choice -- all you'll need is Adobe creation tools and $299. That's the price per platform (iOS, Android or Windows 8,) giving you tools to convert your Flash assets and animations into a full blown Unity game, as well as the engine necessary for the mobile OS. That would let your creation take full advantage of the latest smartphone graphics and multi-processing capabilities, giving users smoother play and sharper looking games -- according to the company. The software is heavily based on the console and PC versions of Scaleform, optimized for the small devices and costing thousands less. So, if you think you've got the mad Flash skillz to create the next Infinity Blade, check the PR and video after the break to see how to power up.
Taikodom prepares for August closed beta
Earlier this year we were wondering what had happened to Brazilian sci-fi shooter Taikodom -- and if we'd ever see it at all. Happily, things are looking up in this department: Reloaded Games announced that the title is now on the verge of closed beta testing. CEO Bjorn Book-Larsson said that beta signups will commence shortly and the title will go into closed beta in August. If you're wondering what Taikodom is all about, Book-Larsson attempts to sum it up as thus: "The game is a cross between EVE Online, Risk, and a shooter/action game, and has some incredible first-person space vehicle battles, combined with the capability to build large strategic battleships. Players will be able to not only engage in some incredible head-to-head combat in space, but also control vast territory and engage in interstellar politics." Taikodom has taken so long in getting to beta because the team switched to the Unity3D engine halfway through its development. The title is slated to launch this year on the PC and Mac, with tablet and console versions to follow in 2013.
Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video)
Unity is about to give a jolt to the Linux gaming community with version 4.0 of its engine. The Penguin has been "underserved," according to the game engine company, so it'll now join the list of supported operating systems alongside Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, Xbox, PS3 and Wii. Developers will also get the new Mecanim system for making character animation easier, on top of DirectX 11 for Windows and Flash publishing options. Details are in the video after the break, but it's good news considering how Linux's namesake just decried the lack of love for the platform.
New Guns of Icarus video shows off cooperative airship battles
Remember Guns of Icarus? If not, let's recap: small indie studio, steampunk, airships. That probably rings a few bells, and you'll be happy to know that the dev team has parlayed a successful Kickstarter campaign into an extended development cycle. As a result, we have a spiffy new video that shows off cooperative airship combat. Muse Games also wants you to know that you can download the single-player game (and sign up for the multiplayer beta) at its official website. Before you go, check out the full clip after the cut.
Rochard now available in Mac App Store for just $2.99
As the first Unity-powered game on PlayStation 3, it should have been obvious that Recoil Games' Rochard would eventually find itself on other platforms supported by the famously cross-platform engine. The PC release followed some two months after the PS3 release, dropping just last month, and now this puzzle-platformer is also available on the Mac App Store. The best part: At just $2.99 (a 70% discount!) it's an effortless recommendation. We've asked Recoil if it plans to bring the Mac release to Steam and we'll let you know what we hear back.
'Pid' is a pretty platformer from Grin vets Might & Delight, planned for XBLA/PSN/PC in 2012
We're suckers for artsy platformers, so when Beefy Media's Adam Boyes took to Giant Bomb's livestream this evening with a debut trailer for Might & Delight's latest offering, "Pid," and the game was a gorgeous hand-drawn platformer, we were pretty excited to tell you all about it. In Pid, you'll control what appears to be a little boy in a colorful and mysterious world of platforms and robots -- like Limbo and Machinarium had a digital baby, if you will. The trailer showed off a bit of co-op play, as well as a variety of different environments through which to romp. Pid is being built using the Unity engine (like that mystery Square Enix game, among many others), thus making its ubiquity across platforms all the easier. While Boyes admitted the M&D folks don't have a publisher for the game yet, he said they've been actively speaking with publishers and are looking at an Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC release in "the back half of 2012." Expect more details and the trailer tomorrow, on Joystiq, when the game gets announced "officially." Head past the break for a quick snap of the game in action.
Muse announces Guns of Icarus, unveils CG trailer
Browser MMOs are a dime a dozen these days, and sometimes it seems like there's a new one popping up on an hourly basis. Consequently, first impressions are everything in such a crowded marketplace, and if its CG trailer is anything to go by, Guns of Icarus may raise a few eyebrows when it launches in 2012. The game is built around the popular Unity engine and features a post-apocalyptic world that mixes steampunk, classic aviation, and an adventure-serial feel that evokes the seminal Xbox shooter Crimson Skies (and perhaps a gritty, aerial homage to Indiana Jones). Gameplay centers around your airship, and dev studio Muse Games says that "moving from town to town, trading and collecting resources, outfitting your ship, and battling deadly pirates" are just a few of the things you'll do. Your airship can also feature additional player crewmembers (or NPCs if you're a loner), and the game's skill and leveling system looks to make each crewman both unique and versatile. "Expect to find your pilot putting out a fire or your mechanic manning the guns at any moment," says Muse's press release. You can check out the new CG trailer as well as a brief gameplay video after the break.
Icarus and GamersFirst collaborate on new MMO
Icarus Studios and Gamersfirst's Reloaded Productions have announced today that the two studios will be partnering yet again on an upcoming MMORPG. The game, titled Hailan Rising, will be based on Icarus' xScape platform, which is being modified to support Unity 3D. Hailan Rising is "slated to be the industry's first full scale PvP-based Fantasy MMORPG developed in Unity 3D," and places players in the role of one of eight character classes in the post-apocalyptic fantasy world of Hailan. After the world is destroyed by a huge flood, land is at a premium, so players must battle it out for the newly created islands and the resources they hold. For more information on this upcoming title, head over to the game's official site. %Gallery-128213%
Madfinger demos and dishes details on its forthcoming Shadowgun game
Shadowgun looked good when we saw footage of it last month, and at E3 2011 we got to chat with the game's creators about the Tegra-optimized title. Madfinger, the game's creator, worked closely with NVIDIA to wring the maximum performance possible out of the Tegra 2 platform, but it said Shadowgun will still look stunning on other silicon. The game is built on the multi-platform Unity engine and will be coming to iOS and Android devices around the world in September (prices TBD). As you can see in the video above, it runs smooth as silk on an LG G2x (55-60fps) and Motorola's Xoom (30fps). Madfinger said we can also expect 60fps on the iPad 2 and devices packing Kal-El chips, and 30fps on other Android handsets and the iPhone 4 when the game debuts. If you've got a hankering for some more video of the game, check the official trailer after the break.
