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Unreal Engine 4 is now available to everyone for free

unrealengine.com

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Re: Unreal Engine 4 is now available to everyone for free

#61

Post by zzalpha »

vezzy-fnord wrote: post #46
zzalpha wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, you're right, the word "free" does have specific connotations. Those include, but are not limited to: - not subject to or constrained by engagements or obligations - given or available without charge So, is the product free, as in available without charge, as implied by the clause "available for free"? Yes. Is it free, as in not subject to or constrained by engagements or obligations, something that is in no way…

not subject to or constrained by engagements or obligations Free software very much is subject to engagements and obligations, these being the terms of the respective license. Is your argument based on an excessively restrictive, ideologically motivated definition of the word "free" that does not fully represent how the word is used in practice? It's funny, because by your own statement, "open source" is also an exce…

It's funny, because by your own statement, "open source" is also an excessively restrictive and ideologically motivated definition, what with OSI and FSF definitions being largely equivalent. For some reason I doubt you believe this.

Why would you say that?

I actually explicitly believe that the FSF and OSI have coopted the term "free" in order to bend it to their own definition, while in fact espousing a position that explicitly advocates for licenses that restrict user freedom in very specific ways.

They, of course, happen to restrict freedom in a way that many folks like. But it's undeniable that, from the perspective of the individual user of software, BSD-licensed open source (for example) affords greater individual freedoms than that provided by GPL-licensed software, specifically because the latter is "subject to or constrained by engagements or obligations".

Re: Unreal Engine 4 is now available to everyone for free

#63

Post by outworlder »

deelowe wrote: post #28
outworlder wrote: post #9

How does it fare against Unity? My understanding, from previous versions, is that Unity offered a lot more tooling than Unreal. Also, Unreal's SDK demanded a lot of C++ code, which can be unappealing for small studios compared to Unity's Mono and several possible (managed) language choices. However, Unreal appears to be much more capable, and better performing. Also, is Crytek still competitive? It used to be competi…

It's hard to compare unity and unreal. To answer the question about c++, with UE4, the blueprint system removes almost all of that. Entire games can be written in their visual programming language. I also think there are ways to use c# ( https://mono-ue.github.io/ ), if you prefer that as well. C++ is needed if you want to extend the native classes. Regarding the editor, unreal is pretty amazing. It really shines in…

I was thinking about something like Lua.

Now, the multiplayer map size limitation seems odd nowadays.

Re: Unreal Engine 4 is now available to everyone for free

#66

Post by dualogy »

leeoniya wrote: post #52
jrlocke wrote: post #18

A demo of the astounding capabilities for those who haven't seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6PQ19BEE24

nice. the thing i found odd is how the reflections/glare changes from simply looking around without moving. quite unnatural

Uncanny valley, if anything: reflections are supposed to change with a changing viewing angle and/or surface angle, whereas just camera movement has no immediate effect.

Re: Unreal Engine 4 is now available to everyone for free

#69

Post by brandonwamboldt »

nowarninglabel wrote: post #56
brandonwamboldt wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not as clear cut. You can use C# with Unreal Engine if you prefer, and Unreal Engine offers a lot that Unity doesn't (e.g. Blueprints). I recommend everyone interested in the two try both. I personally prefer Unreal Engine, but everyone is different. Unreal Engine is also moving quite quickly, adding new features, marketplace content, improving the UI, etc.

I've been trying to decide which to cut my teeth on, to build a prototype MMORPG. I'm comfortable with C++, though my colleague won't be. Any suggestion on which engine/toolkit would be better for that type of build? Graphics quality is not a big concern, mostly just want to use the tool that have the best chance of becoming proficient with.

I don't think either engine is well suited for an MMO to be honest. You are probably better off looking at something like the HeroEngine.

Unreal Engine's built in networking systems are suitable for 64 players, maybe 128 tops. It's replaceable, but I wouldn't recommend delving into that.

I will say this though, if you have 1 C++ programmer with UE4, they can create functionality not builtin to the engine and expose it via Blueprint (the visual scripting language) for non-programmers to use. Blueprint is a fantastic and very easy to use tool. Take a look at the forums to see the incredible things people have built with ZERO programming knowledge.

Re: Unreal Engine 4 is now available to everyone for free

#70

Post by protomyth »

benologist wrote: post #36
vamur wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a positive development, not sure the negative comments. 5% is chump change if a game is successfull. The engine is also open source (so no hidden malware), runs on Linux and WebGL.

At $3000/product/quarter it will also be completely free for many indie game and app developers while they try and build something people want.

Many game developers will be smiling if they have to write that quarterly check.
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