Unreal Engine 5 is the latest gaming technology from Epic Games that has been eagerly awaited since its public demonstration in 2020. While gamers await the arrival of games using Unreal Engine 5, Epic Games continues to showcase its latest capabilities with new demos during the State of Unreal keynote at GDC 2023.
One of the exciting features of the new engine is its ability to create realistic facial captures that indie developers can access using an iPhone instead of specialized equipment. This will enable developers to use more realistic models in their games without the need for expensive equipment.
In addition, Unreal Engine 5 allows for quick and accurate conversions of close-up actor shots into something that can be used in a game. The animator is set to launch this summer, further revolutionizing digital art in gaming.
Another feature of Unreal Engine 5 is its new Substrat UE 5 shading system that allows for different shadow layering and material interactions in 3D models. In a demo showcasing electric trucks from Rivian, Epic Games displayed how the system can create different material layers without compromising the lighting in the scene.
Lastly, the new engine also features a new set of tools for procedural content creation. This enables artists to create expansive and highly detailed levels by utilizing a small set of handmade assets.
Although there are currently no playable games using Unreal Engine 5, Stalker 2, Lords of the Fallen, and Black Myth: Wukong are all in development using the new engine. Stalker 2 is set to release this year, while the other two projects have yet to announce their release dates.
Unreal Engine 5 has proven to be a game-changing technology in the gaming industry, and it will be exciting to see what indie developers and big studios alike will create using this new engine.
