In this blog post, we will compare the features of Unreal Engine and Unity for beginners who are just starting out in game development, and explore how to choose the engine that best suits your needs.
Looking at the Android app popularity charts, the top 10 spots are all occupied by games. For many people, games have become an indispensable part of their daily lives. As interest in games has grown, so has the game market, leading to an increase in the number of game developers. Games have transcended simple leisure activities and become a cultural phenomenon, with large-scale competitions and streaming platforms now serving as platforms for players around the world to communicate and compete. The growth of the game industry has sparked the emergence of new professions, which in turn has led to a significant increase in demand for game developers.
While existing developers can continue making games as they have been, those who are just starting out in game development may feel overwhelmed by the question of how to begin. Beginners may feel overwhelmed by the variety of development tools, programming languages, and development environments available, unsure of where to begin. This is where a game engine comes in. A game engine is a program that bundles together the essential components needed to create a game. Developing a game requires understanding complex elements such as physics engines, rendering (graphics) engines, sound, artificial intelligence, networking, and memory management. In addition, game engines provide various functions, from graphics processing to character movement, allowing developers to create more creative gameplay. Game engines also simplify development and reduce development time by providing the necessary functions for game development. These tools are particularly important for indie game developers and small teams, as they enable them to create high-quality games with limited resources.
In this article, we will compare the most widely used game engines, Unreal Engine and Unity Engine, for those who are new to game development. Game development is more than just writing code; it requires a harmonious blend of visual elements, user experience, and storytelling. Therefore, when choosing a game engine, it is important to consider not only its features but also whether it provides an environment that allows developers to maximize their creativity.
Just as a chef’s skill is important, so are the cooking tools and ingredients in determining the taste of a dish, the game engine is crucial in game development. There are various factors to consider when using a game engine to create a game. Let’s compare Unreal Engine and Unity Engine from the perspectives of graphics, platform, the developer’s programming skills, and engine licensing fees.
The Unreal Engine is primarily focused on developing games for PCs and consoles that require high-performance graphics, so it boasts superior rendering technology compared to other game engines. Rendering technology is akin to the ingredients in food. Just as high-quality ingredients result in more expensive dishes, if the developer has sufficient skills, the end result will be a game with outstanding graphics. For example, games like TERA and Blade & Soul were made using the Unreal Engine, and they boast outstanding graphics and immersion, leaving a deep impression on players. On the other hand, the Unity Engine is specialized for developing mobile games with lower-spec graphics. While it is possible to achieve high-quality graphics with the Unity engine, it requires significantly more effort and time from developers compared to the Unreal engine to achieve the same level of high-end graphics. Games made with the Unity engine include Hearthstone and Pokémon GO. These games feature relatively simple graphics but have gained global popularity through their charm and entertainment value. While it is possible to create mobile games using the Unreal Engine and PC games using the Unity Engine, as of now, the Unreal Engine is considered more suitable for PC games, while the Unity Engine is better suited for smartphone games.
Experienced and skilled developers tend to prefer the Unreal Engine. The Unreal Engine has made its entire source code publicly available to everyone. This means developers can modify the engine itself to suit their preferences when creating games. It’s akin to a chef developing and utilizing their own secret recipe. While the official Korea branch provides Korean-localized documentation and tutorials, making it seem more accessible, it remains challenging for beginners. On the other hand, beginners can develop more easily with the Unity engine compared to the Unreal engine, as Unity has built up its Asset Store over the years, despite not directly releasing its source code. The Asset Store is a place where Unity engine users share their source code and development tips, making development with the Unity engine more convenient and helping to reduce development time. In particular, the Unity community is very active, allowing beginners to quickly resolve any difficulties they encounter.
The pricing policies of the Unreal Engine and Unity Engine are similar. The Unreal Engine itself is free to use. If the revenue from a game made with Unreal Engine exceeds $3,000 (approximately 3.3 million KRW) per quarter, 5% of the excess amount must be paid as royalties. For the Unity engine, there are three pricing plans based on features. Generally, it can be used for free if annual revenue does not exceed 1 billion KRW, and for $40 per month if it does not exceed 2 billion KRW. These pricing policies are tailored to the target user base of each engine, providing game developers with greater flexibility in their economic decisions. Solo developers or indie game developers who do not prioritize revenue can choose an engine that suits their preferences, but game companies must strategically select an engine based on their business objectives.
Just as a famous chef’s course meal at a high-end restaurant is excellent, there are times when you crave the rice cake stir-fry made by an elderly woman at a neighborhood snack shop. You cannot judge which is better by comparing the two. Unreal Engine is like a high-end restaurant, while Unity Engine is like a snack shop. A chef would have considered various factors, such as their own skills and the level of their customers, when deciding to open their business. Game developers are no different. If you have sufficient development time and want to create a high-spec game, choose Unreal Engine. If you want to create a simple mobile game quickly and easily, choose Unity Engine. Additionally, the choice of game engine may vary depending on what kind of game the developer wants to create and their objectives. Currently, the game engine market is dominated by Unreal Engine and Unity Engine, but as more innovative engines are released, we can expect to see a variety of creative games being developed. As technology advances, game engines will continue to evolve, expanding the possibilities of gaming. In the future, we anticipate that more developers will create their own unique games, bringing a fresh wave of innovation to the gaming industry.
