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…

Little Big Planet - MacGyver moment

I have seen quite a few articles about Little Big Planet  (LBP) on the Internet. I didn't take time to read so I had no idea what this game is about.

Well, Little Big Planet is

Unique game combining an amazing platform adventure with a huge social community enabling consumers to play, create and share their gaming.

The world of LittleBigPlanet is unlike anything you have visited before: a

— handcrafted landscape made from

recognizable materials together with pure imagination! Instead of the pre-scripted gameplay normally seen in platform games,

LittleBigPlanet uses an advanced physics system which takes full advantage of the PLAYSTATION®3 systems power. Shapes, materials and objects all react exactly as you expect so balls roll, sledges slide and springs go boing.

So it is quite different and gives players a very nice playground. You can start small with decorations and get into more serious stuff later on. How serious? Depends on the ideas and free time.

I saw the video (see below) that simply amazed me. Beginning is quite simple and does not look very impressive. And then second half of the video is the revelation.

LittleBigPlanet 'Giant Calculator' gameplay

Not that it is a working calculator but it is a mechanical one! Upsilandre managed to get his/hers head around workings of mechanical calculator but also managed and organized over 1600 mechanical part, 610 magnetic switches, 500 wires and 430 pistons.

For me this is a definitely a MacGyver moment!

I wish this video is available in high definition...