At this year’s Game Developers Conference 2013, Epic unveiled a new Unreal Engine 4 Infiltrator tech demo, behind closed doors to the press and prospective customers, which has now been made available for your viewing pleasure.
The Unreal Engine 4 Infiltrator tech demo movie was created to provide a glimpse at the current state of the Unreal Engine 4, and what you can expect in the near future from games that implement the Unreal Engine 4.
The Unreal Engine 4 demo in the video below is running on a single off-the-shelf Nvidia GTX 680 graphics card.
“Epic proved the demonstration was running in real time by first disabling all real-time lighting in the demo — which resulted in a scene that looked almost cel-shaded — and later showed only the wireframes of the on-screen assets. Rein explained to me that he believed that Unreal Engine 4’s new lighting tech and asset management would allow better results with asset creation much faster than current-generation engines.”
Revolutionary Lighting and Asset Management
One of the standout features of the Unreal Engine 4 is its revolutionary lighting system. The tech demo showcased how the engine’s real-time lighting capabilities can dramatically enhance the visual fidelity of a game. By disabling the real-time lighting, the demo revealed a scene that looked almost cel-shaded, highlighting the flexibility and power of the engine’s lighting system. This feature is particularly beneficial for developers, as it allows for more dynamic and realistic lighting effects without the need for extensive pre-rendering.
The asset management system in Unreal Engine 4 is another significant advancement. Rein emphasized that the new system would enable developers to create assets more efficiently and with better results than current-generation engines. This improvement is crucial for game development, as it can significantly reduce the time and resources required to produce high-quality assets, allowing developers to focus more on creativity and innovation.
Real-Time Demonstration and Performance
The real-time demonstration of the Unreal Engine 4 was a pivotal moment at the Game Developers Conference. Running on a single Nvidia GTX 680 graphics card, the demo illustrated the engine’s impressive performance capabilities. This is particularly noteworthy because it shows that high-quality graphics and complex scenes can be rendered in real-time on consumer-grade hardware, making it accessible to a broader range of developers and gamers.
The demo also included a wireframe view of the on-screen assets, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the complexity and detail involved in creating such high-fidelity visuals. This transparency is essential for developers who need to understand the inner workings of the engine to optimize their games effectively.
Future Implications for Game Development
The advancements showcased in the Unreal Engine 4 Infiltrator tech demo have far-reaching implications for the future of game development. The combination of real-time lighting, efficient asset management, and high performance on consumer-grade hardware sets a new standard for what is possible in game design. Developers can now create more immersive and visually stunning games without being constrained by the limitations of previous-generation engines.
Moreover, the accessibility of these advanced features means that even smaller studios and independent developers can leverage the power of Unreal Engine 4 to create high-quality games. This democratization of game development tools is likely to lead to a more diverse and innovative gaming landscape, as more creators can bring their unique visions to life.
The Unreal Engine 4 Infiltrator tech demo is a testament to the incredible advancements in game development technology. By providing a glimpse into the future of gaming, Epic has set the stage for a new era of creativity and innovation in the industry.
Source: Polygon
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