Unity and Unreal Engine are the two leading software platforms for VR development. They both offer free versions that you can utilize for testing. Which platform is better is a decision only you can make depending on your project and
what you want to achieve.
A quick summary of Unity 3D
Unity 3D has been with us since 2005. Unity 3D is the platform that 60% of XR (VR/AR) content use. It is also used in about half of the games that we have. It is loved because it is a cross-platform software that supports 28 platforms.
Many tend to think that Unity 3D is mobile-oriented and cannot support complex projects, but it is not the case. Unity 3D has evolved and can support any project, even the most complex ones.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine has been in the industry since 1998. The 4th edition that has the free version was released in 2015. Unreal Engine is associated with AAA game titles and multi-million complex projects. Unreal Engine is now adapting to
mobile development. Unreal Engine and Unity 3D have made a lot of effort to work on their weaknesses, making it tough to choose between the two. Read on to discover their differences.
What are the differences between Unreal Engine and Unity 3D
The difference between the two soft wares is a bit technical. What they possess is different. We will look at the differences in three things, which are;
- Documentation and training
- Assets stores
- Community
Documentation and training
Every product has its user manual, and for the program soft wares, the manual is in terms of documents. Both of the soft wares have sufficient documents to guide the users on how to work with them. The difference arises when we consider
external training.
Most of the courses will focus on Unity 3D. Courses to train people to use Unreal Engine are few. When you get into a business-oriented course, the course will likely focus on Unity 3D.
Assets stores
When I talk about an asset store, I refer to a store where the virtual images are stored. Unreal Engine and Unity 3D have asset stores; the difference is what is contained in the stores. Unreal Engine store has about 10,000 assets,
while the Unity 3D store has about 50,000 assets.
Unreal Engine assets are of finished game productions with a better display. It is why it is preferred for video games. As mentioned, many businesses tend to prefer Unity 3D because it is easier to find ready-made images instead of
having a 3D modeler create images from scratch.
Community
When we talk about the community, we are referring to other developers that use the same Engine. You may need other developers to help you fix a unique issue affecting your software. Unity 3D has been freely accessible for a long time;
hence it has a more significant community. When you face a specific challenge with Unity 3D, finding a solution is quicker as you are likely to find another developer facing the same problem.
Development process
The development process has many similarities, but there is a difference in terms of the programming language. The primary programming language for Unity 3D is C#, while for Unreal Engine, the programming language is C+++ programming.
While there is an argument between which programming language is better, there has been no winner, and both are suitable for VR development. However, a beginner should opt for C# because it is simpler and smaller.
Comparison of the graphics
Both engines can create realistic images. However, Unreal Engine has an advantage over Unity 3D because their assets and tutorials look better. With Unity 3D, you can get the pictures to look better by doing some modifications in
lighting and the materials you use. With the right skill set, it is possible to get a similar result.
Platform’s source code access
There is a big difference between the two engines in terms of source code access. Unreal Engine is an open-source engine, and it allows you to tweak the source code without paying a single dime. On the other hand, Unity 3D is not
open-source, and to modify the source code, you will have to get an enterprise license.
Verdict
The verdict of this battle depends on your project, what you want to achieve, and your skillset. If you are familiar with C+++ coding language, go for Unreal Engine. If you are a beginner, start with Unity 3D as C# is simpler to
understand.
Where you require many prototypes and customizations, the best Engine to utilize is Unity 3D. On the other hand, when creating a desktop game requiring AAA visuals or preparing a visual presentation, the Unreal Engine will work for you
best. Gather more information about the engines and choose what best fits your project.