Epic Games has just released an enormous update to their immensely popular and successful Unreal game engine in the form of Unreal Engine 4.5.
The Unreal Engine 4.5 update includes over 40 new features (including those designed in collaboration with developers outside of Epic Games), a brand new tutorial system, improved mobile and console support, and game templates.
Read more details on Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 4.5 after the break.
Epic Games Releases Unreal Engine 4.5
Some of Unreal Engine 4.5’s new features include screen-space subsurface scattering, which gives programmers the resources to create ultra-realistic skin materials and effects, which can be seen in the above image.
Other features include ray-traced shadows, which is a new dynamic shadowing method that traces a ray though mesh distance fields straight to the source of light. The effects of this new feature can be seen in the featured image.
One of the most touted features of Unreal Engine 4.5 is automatic C++ hot reloading, which essentially translates to the game engine’s ability to automatically apply necessary C++ changes after a programmer compiles gameplay code from Xcode or Visual Studio.
Additionally, user interface upgrades and animation system adjustments have been made for Unreal Engine 4.5.
Check out some video demonstrating some of the engine’s new features below:
Video 1:
http://youtu.be/4249b94KtyA
Video 2:
http://youtu.be/-xai0iBffUc
For anyone interested in further exploring the details of Epic Games’ new Unreal Engine 4.5 update, the company has posted the comprehensive list of changes and additions that come with the game engine on their official forums – which can be accessed here.
In related news, Epic Games has announced that their popular game engine and development tool, Unreal Engine 4, is free for student and academic use. Schools and universities around the world have begun integrating Unreal Engine 4 into their classrooms and associated academic curriculum.
Epic’s previous promotion for Unreal Engine 4 required the university to sign up for the program, making it difficult for interested students to procure a license for the engine.
Fortunately, Epic Games is now allowing students a much more efficient way to start using Unreal Engine 4 via GitHub, all one needs is a verified university e-mail address. More information on that particular promotion can be found here.
What are your thoughts on Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 4.5? If you are an aspiring game developer, are you interested in giving it a try? Why or why not?
Also, are you excited for what future games that utilize the latest update to Unreal Engine may look or play like?
Let us know in the comments section below! As always, stay tuned to GamerHeadlines.com for the latest in video game and technology news.
Source: UnrealEngine.com’s official forums
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