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With an emphasis on portability, the graphics engine targets the following APIs: [[Microsoft Direct3D|Direct3D]] on Windows and Xbox 360; [[OpenGL]] on Mac, Windows, and Linux; [[OpenGL ES]] on Android and iOS; and proprietary APIs on [[video game console]]s. Unity allows specification of [[texture compression]] and resolution settings for each platform the game supports,<ref name="Unity Multiplatform" /> and provides support for [[bump mapping]], [[reflection mapping]], [[parallax mapping]], [[screen space ambient occlusion]] (SSAO), dynamic shadows using [[shadow map]]s, [[Render to Texture|render-to-texture]] and full-screen post-processing effects.<ref name="Unity 4 DirectX11">{{cite web|title=Using DirectX11 in Unity 4|url=http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/DirectX11.html|publisher=[[Unity Technologies]]|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref> Unity's graphics engine's platform diversity can provide a shader with multiple variants and a declarative fallback specification, allowing Unity to detect the best variant for the current video hardware; and if none are compatible, fall back to an alternative shader that may sacrifice features for performance.<ref name="Unity Shaders">{{cite web|title=Shaders|url=http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/Shaders.html|publisher=[[Unity Technologies]]|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref> |
With an emphasis on portability, the graphics engine targets the following APIs: [[Microsoft Direct3D|Direct3D]] on Windows and Xbox 360; [[OpenGL]] on Mac, Windows, and Linux; [[OpenGL ES]] on Android and iOS; and proprietary APIs on [[video game console]]s. Unity allows specification of [[texture compression]] and resolution settings for each platform the game supports,<ref name="Unity Multiplatform" /> and provides support for [[bump mapping]], [[reflection mapping]], [[parallax mapping]], [[screen space ambient occlusion]] (SSAO), dynamic shadows using [[shadow map]]s, [[Render to Texture|render-to-texture]] and full-screen post-processing effects.<ref name="Unity 4 DirectX11">{{cite web|title=Using DirectX11 in Unity 4|url=http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/DirectX11.html|publisher=[[Unity Technologies]]|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref> Unity's graphics engine's platform diversity can provide a shader with multiple variants and a declarative fallback specification, allowing Unity to detect the best variant for the current video hardware; and if none are compatible, fall back to an alternative shader that may sacrifice features for performance.<ref name="Unity Shaders">{{cite web|title=Shaders|url=http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/Shaders.html|publisher=[[Unity Technologies]]|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref> |
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The game engine's scripting is built on [[Mono (software)|Mono]], the open-source implementation of the [[.NET Framework]]. Programmers can use UnityScript (a custom language with [[ECMAScript]]-inspired syntax, referred to as [[JavaScript]] by the software),<ref>[//wiki.unity3d.com/index.php?title=UnityScript_versus_JavaScript UnityScript versus JavaScript]. Unify Wiki. Retrieved 29. May 2014.</ref><ref>[//answers.unity3d.com/questions/199524/difference-between-unityscript-and-javascript.html Difference between UnityScript and JavaScript?]. Unity Answers. Retrieved 29 May 2014.</ref> [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], or [[Boo (programming language)|Boo]] (which has a [[Python (programming language)|Python]]-inspired syntax).<ref name="Unity Scripts">{{cite web|title=Using Scripts|url=http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/Scripting.html|publisher=[[Unity Technologies]]|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref> |
The game engine's scripting is built on [[Mono (software)|Mono]], the open-source implementation of the [[.NET Framework]].<ref>http://www.mono-project.com/docs/about-mono/showcase/companies-using-mono/</ref> Programmers can use UnityScript (a custom language with [[ECMAScript]]-inspired syntax, referred to as [[JavaScript]] by the software),<ref>[//wiki.unity3d.com/index.php?title=UnityScript_versus_JavaScript UnityScript versus JavaScript]. Unify Wiki. Retrieved 29. May 2014.</ref><ref>[//answers.unity3d.com/questions/199524/difference-between-unityscript-and-javascript.html Difference between UnityScript and JavaScript?]. Unity Answers. Retrieved 29 May 2014.</ref> [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], or [[Boo (programming language)|Boo]] (which has a [[Python (programming language)|Python]]-inspired syntax).<ref name="Unity Scripts">{{cite web|title=Using Scripts|url=http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/Scripting.html|publisher=[[Unity Technologies]]|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
Revision as of 04:59, 2 November 2014
File:Unity 3D logo.png | |
Developer(s) | Unity Technologies |
---|---|
Stable release | 4.5.4
/ 2014-09-04 |
Written in | C++ and C#[1] |
Operating system | |
Available in | English |
Type | Game creation system |
License | Proprietary |
Website | Official website |
Unity is a cross-platform game creation system developed by Unity Technologies, including a game engine and integrated development environment (IDE).[2] It is used to develop video games for web sites, desktop platforms, consoles, and mobile devices. First announced only for Mac OS, at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in 2005, it has since been extended to target more than fifteen platforms.[3][4] It is now the default software development kit (SDK) for the Nintendo Wii U.[5]
Overview
Unity is notable for its ability to target games to multiple platforms. Within a project, developers have control over delivery to mobile devices, web browsers, desktops, and consoles.[6] Supported platforms include BlackBerry 10, Windows Phone 8, Windows, OS X, Linux (mainly Ubuntu[7]), Android, iOS, Unity Web Player (including Facebook[8]), Adobe Flash, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, and Wii. It includes an asset server and Nvidia's PhysX physics engine. Unity Web Player is a browser plugin that is supported in Windows and OS X only.[9] Unity is the default software development kit (SDK) for Nintendo's Wii U video game console platform, with a free copy included by Nintendo with each Wii U developer license. Unity Technologies calls this third party provisioning of a free SDK, an "industry first".[5][10]
Unity Pro is available for a fee, and Unity Free has no fee for noncommercial and low-end use.[11][12]
Features
With an emphasis on portability, the graphics engine targets the following APIs: Direct3D on Windows and Xbox 360; OpenGL on Mac, Windows, and Linux; OpenGL ES on Android and iOS; and proprietary APIs on video game consoles. Unity allows specification of texture compression and resolution settings for each platform the game supports,[6] and provides support for bump mapping, reflection mapping, parallax mapping, screen space ambient occlusion (SSAO), dynamic shadows using shadow maps, render-to-texture and full-screen post-processing effects.[13] Unity's graphics engine's platform diversity can provide a shader with multiple variants and a declarative fallback specification, allowing Unity to detect the best variant for the current video hardware; and if none are compatible, fall back to an alternative shader that may sacrifice features for performance.[14]
The game engine's scripting is built on Mono, the open-source implementation of the .NET Framework.[15] Programmers can use UnityScript (a custom language with ECMAScript-inspired syntax, referred to as JavaScript by the software),[16][17] C#, or Boo (which has a Python-inspired syntax).[18]
Reception
VentureBeat said, "Few companies have contributed as much to the flowing of independently produced games as Unity Technologies."[5] A May 2012 survey by Game Developer magazine indicated Unity as its top game engine for mobile platforms.[19]
See also
References
- ^ Meijer, Lucas. "Is Unity Engine written in Mono/C# or C++". Retrieved 2014-06-15.
- ^ http://venturebeat.com/2014/10/23/john-riccitiello-sets-out-to-identify-the-engine-of-growth-for-unity-technologies-interview/
- ^ "Unity - Fast Facts". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ "How Unity3D Became a Game-Development Beast". Slashdot.org. Dice. 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
- ^ a b c Helgason, David (November 2, 2012). "Game developers, start your Unity 3D engines". GamesBeat (Interview). Interviewed by Dean Takahashi. VentureBeat. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "Unleash your game with effortless deployment to 10 global platforms". Unity Technologies. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ three engineers from games company Unity 3D
- ^ "Unity technologies releases Facebook functionality update to unity 4". MarketWatch.com. 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
- ^ "Unity Web Player".
- ^ McElroy, Griffin (Aug 20, 2013). "Unity for Wii U opens up GamePad hardware and more to developers". Polygon. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
- ^ "Unity Software License Agreement 4.x". Unity Technologies. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
- ^ http://techcrunch.com/2013/05/21/unity-game-engine-goes-free-for-ios-and-android-developers
- ^ "Using DirectX11 in Unity 4". Unity Technologies. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "Shaders". Unity Technologies. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ http://www.mono-project.com/docs/about-mono/showcase/companies-using-mono/
- ^ UnityScript versus JavaScript. Unify Wiki. Retrieved 29. May 2014.
- ^ Difference between UnityScript and JavaScript?. Unity Answers. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ "Using Scripts". Unity Technologies. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "Mobile game developer survey leans heavily toward iOS, Unity". Gamasutra. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
External links
Template:Unity engine games Template:IPhone video game engines