With technological advancements, video game development engines have reached very high standards. Mobile game developers use various tools and frameworks known as game engines to create stellar and realistic games that offer an unprecedented gaming experience. The game engine is the base of developing video games, and it counts various tools, libraries, customization features, plugins, etc, that allow you to enrich your game idea in a successful game platform. There are various game engines to create games but two are the main players – Unity and Unreal. Picking the best one is a challenging task. In this blog, we are going to discuss every aspect of both game engines so you can know which one will be the most suitable for game development.
Unity vs Unreal Engine for mobile games is a hot topic among developers. In contrast, some gravitate towards Unreal Engine, while others like the accessibility provided by Unity. However, both of them have advantages and disadvantages. This blog will compare the two game engines and their features and development potential so you clear your doubts and choose the best one to give a perfect shape to your game idea.
Table of Contents
What is Unity Game Engine?
To facilitate mobile game development, Unity was launched in 2005 by Unity Technologies. Since its launch, it has progressed a lot and is now among the most preferred game engines used by indie game developers. With the easy-to-learn user interface coupled with a vast active community, Unity climbed to the top and is now dominating the mobile game market. Various prominent mobile games like Pokemon GO and Fall Guys were developed with the help of the Unity game engine.
Moreover, in 2020, Unity launched its Mixed and Augmented Reality Studio known as MARS which is capable of leveraging advanced technologies like AR/VR and developing next-gen mobile games with Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.
What are the Key Features of the Unity Game Engine?
Easy-to-use interface
Architecture to facilitate quick game development
AAA graphics, seamless frame rates, and robust audio provide high-quality game development with Unity.
Precise control over game features with Unity Scripting API
2D and 3D Game Development Tools
One-click game deployment on multiple platforms like Android, iOS, and PC.
Ready-to-use assets are available in a Rich Asset Store
Assets & in-house packages
Optimized game performance with render pipeline options
Destroy and create custom game objects
Create Unity VR Game
What are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Unity Game Engine?
Now, let’s take a look at the various pros and cons of Unity game engine so you can clear all your doubts regarding Unity game engine, and can make an informed choice.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Free Game Engine( Pro and Plus versions are paid)
Lack of open-source codes
Quick game development with C# code
Not popular with AAA game publishers
Active Community
Lack of real-time multiplayer capabilities
AR/VR Support
Unreal Engine is more graphic-intensive
Rich Asset Store
Asset quality is varied
Easy-to-use
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Popular Games Developed Using Unity Game Engine
Here is a list of the prominent games that are developed using the Unity game engine. Let’s have a look at them.
Pokemon GO
Cuphead
Monument Valley
Call of Duty: Mobile
Fall Guys
Hollow Knight
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Now that we have familiarised ourselves with the Unity Engine, let’s also take a look at the Unreal game engine and its features.
What is an Unreal Game Engine?
The first edition of Unreal Engine was launched in 1998 by Tim Seveeny. Unreal, an FPS shooter, was the very first game developed using the Unreal game engine. It is owned by Epic Games and the popular engine is widely known for its portability and compatibility with various platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, etc. One of the most prominent benefits of game development with the Unreal engine is it allows the creation of high-quality graphics and robust game mechanics.
The accessibility and compatibility of Unreal Engine allow developers to import 3D-rendered graphics and Shadow maps to create realistic and lifelike graphics in mobile games.
What are the Key Features of Unreal Game Engine?
Optimized for best-in-class consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
Unreal Audio Engine and MetaSounds for immersive and rich game audio
Additional support for AR, VR, and MR.
Unreal Editor facilitates world-building and landscape editor.
Machine Learning eases character animation and development
Nanite engine for rendering, lights, and shadows
Unreal motion graphics UI
C++ source code access
Support all major platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, macOS, etc.
What are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Unreal Game Engine?
Here is the list of the pros and cons of the Unreal game engine so you can clear all your doubts.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Open-source game engine
Unity’s asset store is better
Top-notch graphics
Lacks in 2D game development
The preferred choice of AAA publishers
C++ is a professional language which is hard to learn
Real-time multiplayer support
Doesn’t support outdated hardware
Better rendering than the Unity game engine
Small User Base
Games Made Using Unreal Game Engine
Here is the list of the games that are developed using the Unreal game engine. Let’s have a look at them.
Fortnite
Gears 5
Tetris Effect
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
What are the Key Differences Between Unity vs Unreal Engine?
The debate of Unity vs Unreal Engine has been going on for decades. To settle this once and for all, we have compared both game engines on various aspects of game development. Let’s start.
1. Pricing
Unity: It is free to use but Unity developers have to pay a fee for additional features included in Unity Plus and Unity Pro versions.
Unreal: It is an open-source game engine but takes a 5% royalty for revenues above a particular benchmark.
2. Graphics
Unity: It features immersive and high-quality graphics but is not used often by AAA game developers. Unity is mostly common for mobile and indie games.
Unreal : It offers high-quality graphics with Unreal motion graphics and real-time 3D rendering. Unreal Engine is the go-to choice for AAA game developers.
3. Rendering
Unity: It features decent rendering but eventually falls short when developing high-end and complex games.
Unreal: It provides better and faster rendering than the 3D Unity game engine which helps in post-production.
4. Source Code
Unity: It offers read-only source code access.
Unreal: It provides full access to the source code.
5. Asset Store
Unity: With Unity, you get a rich asset store with over 65,000 assets.
Unreal: It features a great asset store but falls short when compared to Unity. The Unreal asset store contains over 16,000 assets that can be used as textures and presets.
6. Programming Languages
Unity: Unity utilizes the C# which is faster and more reliable for creating mobile games.
Unreal: The Unreal game engine uses the C++ programming language which is not suitable for beginner developers but is suitable for creating AAA games.
7. Community
Unity: It has a massive and active user community that is responsible for nearly 50% of the market share.
Unreal: The Unreal Engine currently makes up over 13% of the market share.
Unreal Engine vs Unity Engine: Side-by-Side Comparison
Let’s take a look at the side-by-side comparison of Unreal Engine vs Unity Engine to get a better understanding of the better game engine.
Benchmarks
Unreal Engine
Unity Engine
Owner
Epic Games
Unity Technologies
Programming Languages
C++
C#
Features
3D, AAA, AR/VR game development
2D Game Development, Asset Store, free-to-use
Platforms
Cross-platform
Cross-platform
Uses
Develop cross-platform game
Develop cross-platform game
Pricing
Free with a 5% royalty fee for high-end games
Free (Pro, and Plus version requires subscription)
Graphics
High-end graphics with Unreal motion graphics
Great graphics but lacks heavy-intensive graphics
Source Code
Open-source
Not-open source
Learning Curve
Difficult to learn
Easy-to-learn
Final Words
Advancements in technology have given rise to a plethora of mobile game development engines that have facilitated game development. Mobile game engines eased the lives of developers by providing various features and tools that facilitate the creation of games across various popular platforms. Unreal and Unity are two of the best game development engines that are preferred by users. By now, you must be familiar with the features and accessibility of Unity and Unreal game engines. Both engines are proficient in their various verticals. While Unity is better for developing 2D games, Unreal is the best option for developing high-end AAA games.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q.1 Do you offer 2D game development in Unity?
Ans. Yes, we offer 2D game development with Unity. Our Unity game developers have years of experience working with the game engine and can develop 2D and 3D games.
Q.2 What is the cost of game development with Unity?
Ans. The cost of Android Unity game development is not fixed and depends on various factors. If you want to get an exact estimate, you will have to contact a Unity game development company. On average, it costs around $40,000 to $50,000 to develop a game with Unity.
Q.3 Which is better for game development: Unity or Unreal Engine?
Ans. Both game engines (unity or Unreal Engine) are capable of developing indie games flawlessly. However, if you are a beginner developer, you can choose Unity as it is fairly easy to learn and can be used by beginner developers.
Q.4 Why Unity is the first choice for creating video games?
Ans. Unity game engine is known for its user-friendly interface and simple navigation, and even beginners can use it easily. It also offers you a huge community, tutorials, guides, and lots of lessons for any kind of help. Meanwhile, Unreal engine has an advanced user interface that makes it hard to use and to dive in-depth, you have to use C++ language which is tough to learn in comparison to C#.
Q.5 To create 2D games which one is the best game engine?
Ans. To develop 2D games, Unity is the best game engine because it has excellent tools and plugins to create simple and engaging 2D games.
I am Nitin Garg, founder of BR Softech PVT LTD - an award-winning mobile game development company known for its excellence in the gaming domain. We have a team of 180+ exceptional professionals & we have a satisfied clientele of 2.7k+ globally. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I aim to elevate BR Softech to a billion-dollar company.