Game engines at GDC 09

GDC is always exciting time for gamers and game developers. There is a lot of announcements, demos, awards and anything else related to gaming industry.
This year is no different. From the news two items got my attention – new CryENGINE 3 and updates to Unreal Engine 3.

Unreal 3 Engine
Let’s have a look at Unreal Engine first. In EPIC’s press release are details of these updates. Key new features include:

• Unreal Lightmass – new global illumination solver
• Content browser – database driven and searchable
• Unreal Master Control Program  - statistics and data management back end (does this name reminds you of Tron?)
• MMOG backend solution developed by EPIC China

This may not sound to interesting but it is easiest to make your own mind after you see the video. Head to G4TV to view it.

 


There is more to see in video so have fun.

CryENGINE 3
CryENGINE was announced on Crytek’s site and there is a nice video to go with it. Actual announcement has lot of details about new features. The list of features is long so here are just some:

• All-in-one development solution for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC
• Sandbox for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 – WYSIWYP toolset
• Vegetation and terrain cover generation
• Multicore support
• Real-time dynamic global illumination
• Deferred lighting
• Uber Shader technology
• Natural world effects
• Performance analysis tools
• Polybump

Instead of me poorly describing these features here is the video and screenshots to illustrate these features.

If you want to download this movie at highest resolution go to the download page (241 MB zip file).
Some of the screenshots are so good you could mistake it for a photograph. Like the couple below.


So there you go, drool over these just like I did…

Unreal Tournament 3 – Betrayal video guide

Titan pack brings two new game types. One is described in previous post. This time round here is a video for second additional game type – Betrayal.
In essence this is a variation of instant gib deathmatch. On start players are grouped in teams randomly. For every frag you get a point. If you frag your teammate (or betray him) you get his points. Hence the name of the game type.
There are more rules but you will learn about them in the video.
If played well you can collect lot of points but you may risk good relationships with your friends…

If you want more information and screenshots of Titan Pack maps head to PlanetUnreal.
Here is an example of DarkMatch. In case you didn’t play original Unreal that was one of game types. In short you play in pitch black level and only light is your flashlight or weapons fire.

Have fun playing Titan Pack!

UT 3 Titan Pack impressions

Yesterday I downloaded the Titan Pack for Unreal Tournament 3 (for PC of course). If you want to play it on PS3 then you will have to wait another 2 weeks due to mod certification process for PS3.

In my previous posts you can read what is included in Titan Pack. After playing it for few hours here is how does it feel and what do I like and what I don't.

Maps

Maps are very nice and on the par you would expect from Epic's team. In this post you can see what do they look like. I did play on all new maps but very briefly. The only one I didn't like too much was a CTF map Morbid. It is very small map and gives me claustrophobic feeling. With more players it is very crowded and chaotic.

On the other hand I enjoy playing Nanoblack. This is a medium sized map with lots of water ways and alternative routes to opponents base. The water looks just stunning and it is really nice visul.

From DM maps I really like Eden Inc. It  has stunning visuals and plays very nicely and there is always a lot of action in the centre court.

Titan mutator

As the name of the pack suggest this mutator is one of the highlights of the pack. It can be used in most of the gametypes (excluding Betryal and Duel). When a player has sufficient number of kills one can activate this option with R key. When being a Titan you are about 3 times larger than regular player and have rocket launcher with equivalent of Udamage constantly. Also the vision goes to black and white. But this is not all. While Titan you can still keep an eye on your kill meter and you can become Juggernaut. See the comparison of sizes on screenshots below.

Normal size

Titan

Juggernaut

The downside of juggernaut is that it lasts for only 30 seconds. The fun side is that you can squash the opponents. Just walk close to them and you will jump and squash him/her. After 30 seconds you die...

Oh, also try the right click while being Titan and Juggernaut for alterante fire.

For the end here are some screenshots of Titan(s) in action on various maps.

And for the end "Clash of the Titans"

I got him good...

If I get more time I'll post more about Betrayal game type and vehicle CTF maps and gameplay.

UT3 Titan Pack media gallery

This time it is all about eye candy and new features of Titan Pack. One of two new game types is Greed. To how it is meant to be played and goals watch the video below.

Here are the screenshots you may missed from BeyoundUnreal site.

                                 

 

     

And for the end a short video of what you could find in Make Something Unreal  contest.

Epic Games '$1 Million Make Something Unreal Contest' video