The latest version of Unreal Engine 5.5 has arrived and it brings with it a hell of a lot of updates and new functionality to your game development and more!
For the game developers out there some highlights include:
[h3]Mutable character customization[/h3]
Game developers whose projects require content that changes dynamically at runtime will welcome the addition of the Mutable character customization system. The system can be used to generate dynamic skeletal meshes, materials, and textures for characters, animals, props, weapons, and more, while optimizing memory usage, keeping shader cost low, and reducing the draw call count.
Unlike native tools for modifying content at runtime, Mutable supports deep customization that involves many parameters and texture layers; complex mesh interactions; and texture effects that are not GPU-friendly.
You can explore Mutable’s features in the corresponding sample project, which will be available in the next few days.
[h3]Lumen[/h3]
Lumen can now run at 60 Hz on platforms for which there is hardware support, thanks to many improvements to the systems that underpin hardware ray tracing (HWRT). These improvements also impact the performance and capabilities of Path Tracer and light baking.
[h3]Mobile game development[/h3]
On the platform front, we’ve been investing in our support for mobile, with the aim of cementing Unreal Engine as the best engine for mobile and cross-platform AAA game development.
The Mobile Forward Renderer sees a slew of new features that will increase visual fidelity on the platform. It now supports D-buffer decals, rectangular area lights, capsule shadows, moveable IES textures for point and spotlights, volumetric fog, and Niagara particle lights. Screen-space reflections now work in both Mobile Forward and Deferred Renderers.
For the game developers out there some highlights include:
[h3]Mutable character customization[/h3]
Game developers whose projects require content that changes dynamically at runtime will welcome the addition of the Mutable character customization system. The system can be used to generate dynamic skeletal meshes, materials, and textures for characters, animals, props, weapons, and more, while optimizing memory usage, keeping shader cost low, and reducing the draw call count.
Unlike native tools for modifying content at runtime, Mutable supports deep customization that involves many parameters and texture layers; complex mesh interactions; and texture effects that are not GPU-friendly.
You can explore Mutable’s features in the corresponding sample project, which will be available in the next few days.
[h3]Lumen[/h3]
Lumen can now run at 60 Hz on platforms for which there is hardware support, thanks to many improvements to the systems that underpin hardware ray tracing (HWRT). These improvements also impact the performance and capabilities of Path Tracer and light baking.
[h3]Mobile game development[/h3]
On the platform front, we’ve been investing in our support for mobile, with the aim of cementing Unreal Engine as the best engine for mobile and cross-platform AAA game development.
The Mobile Forward Renderer sees a slew of new features that will increase visual fidelity on the platform. It now supports D-buffer decals, rectangular area lights, capsule shadows, moveable IES textures for point and spotlights, volumetric fog, and Niagara particle lights. Screen-space reflections now work in both Mobile Forward and Deferred Renderers.