Unity vs Unreal: Which Game Engine to Choose?

Game engines are software development environments with ready-made game components that game developers can use to plan and create interactive video games for PCs, consoles, mobile devices, etc.

These game design tools provide developers with ready-to-use features such as a physics engine, 2D and 3D rendering, artificial intelligence, object collision detection, sound, color, scripting, and much more, without needing to code these elements from scratch.

Several game engines exist on the market, but we’ll focus on the popular question of Unity vs Unreal. So, is Unreal Engine better than Unity, or vice versa? Let’s find out.

To start, we’ve compiled a brief overview of the differences between Unity and Unreal Engine.

What is Unity?

Unity is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies and introduced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WDC) in 2005.

Unity supports over 25 gaming platforms, including PCs (Windows, macOS, Linux), consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.), and several virtual reality (VR) platforms like PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and more.

Many users have embraced the Unity game engine because it enables the creation of 2D, 3D, and VR games. It is also used across various industries beyond gaming, including animation and effects in film, automotive, architecture, engineering, and construction.

Unity History to Date

• 2005: Unity released for Mac OS X
• 2007: Unity 2.0 launched with 50 new features
• 2008: iPhone support added to Unity after Apple launched the App Store
• 2010: Unity 3.0 launched with expanded graphics tools and Android support
• 2012: Unity 4.0 launched and named Best Mobile Engine by Game Developer magazine
• 2013: Facebook adds SDK integration for Unity games
• 2015: Unity 5.0 launched with expanded platform support, improved HD graphics, lighting, sound, and VR support
• 2017: Unity 5.6 (Unity 2017) launched with real-time graphics rendering and integration with 3D design tools 
• 2017: Unity 2017.2 released, adding tools for film and video 
• 2018: Unity 2018 – first engine with integrated machine learning (ML) tools and a scriptable rendering pipeline 
• 2019: Release of the Data-Oriented Tech Stack (DOTS) for improved data processing
• 2020: Mixed and Augmented Reality Studio (MARS) introduced
• 2021: Unity 2021 launched with improved multiplayer libraries and HD rendering

Key Features of Unity

• Simple and intuitive workflow and architecture for rapid game development
• Create high-quality games with AAA graphics, smooth frame rates, and HD sound
• Unity Scripting API provides precise control over game functions
• Dedicated tools make it easy to create 2D and 3D games
• One-click game deployment across all platforms, including PC, mobile, and consoles
• Ready-made game assets from the large Asset Store reduce development time
• Ability to use custom packages and assets to extend the Unity engine
• Various rendering pipeline options to optimize game performance
• Ability to create and destroy custom game objects

Games Built with Unity
If you’re wondering whether Unity is better than Unreal Engine, just look at what indie game developers and game studios have achieved with the Unity engine. The result includes some of the most popular games:

• Pokémon Go
• Call of Duty: Mobile
• Cuphead
• Monument Valley
• Ori and the Blind Forest / Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Fall Guys
• Hollow Knight

What is Unreal Engine?

The first generation of Unreal Engine was released in 1998 by Tim Sweeney (founder of Epic Games), and its debut demonstration was the game Unreal – a first-person shooter (FPS).

Unreal Engine is known for its portability and support for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux PCs, game consoles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, etc.), as well as iOS and Android mobile devices.

Since its inception, Unreal Engine has established itself as a reliable tool for high-definition graphics and next-generation physical effects, earning a reputation as an industry standard and receiving various awards.

So it’s no surprise that many aspiring developers choose Unreal when selecting a game engine.

If you’re just starting game development or want to expand your skills with Unreal, check out these courses to learn how to use Unreal Engine.

History of Unreal Engine Development

First Generation Unreal Engine

• 1995: Tim Sweeney began development
• 1998: Debut with the FPS game Unreal
• 1998: Built-in UnrealEd editor, innovative graphics, colors, and textures
• 1999: Technology used by 16 external projects

Unreal Engine 2

• 2002: Launched with improved rendering, cinematic editing, and integrated 3D library support. First release was the multiplayer shooter America's Army.
• 2002: Unreal Championship became one of the first games on Xbox Live
• 2003: Karma Physics Engine for vehicle physics through collisions and rigid body contact used in Unreal Tournament 2003
• 2004: Unreal Tournament 2004 offers improved vehicle physics for large-scale tournaments using the Karma Physics Engine

Unreal Engine 3

• 2006: Released for Windows, PS3, and Xbox 360 with high dynamic range rendering and programmable shaders
• 2006: First games: Gears of War for Xbox 360 and Roboblitz for Windows
• 2010: Android and iOS support
• 2011: Adobe Flash player support added for Wii U development
• 2013: Collaboration with Mozilla to support web games

Unreal Engine 4

• 2014: Launched Blueprints visual scripting for non-coders, plus expanded lighting capabilities to replace precomputed lighting effects
• 2014: Introduced monthly subscription model and 5% royalty for games built on Unreal Engine
• 2015: Offered for free with access to future updates, but still 5% royalty on games generating sufficient revenue
• Unreal Engine 5
• 2022: Launched Nanite engine to import 3D graphics or photos for photogrammetric worlds, Lumen to replace lightmaps with improved lighting, and Shadow Map for better shadows
• 2022: Optimized for next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
• 2022: 5% royalty on game sales unless sold on the Epic Games Store

Key Features of Unreal Engine

• Blueprint visual scripting system for non-coding game developers
• Unreal Audio Engine and MetaSounds for rich sound creation
• Support for augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and VR
• Pipeline integration for FBX, USD, and Python scripting
• World creation and landscape editing with Unreal Editor
• Character animation, including machine learning
• Nanite engine for rendering, lighting, and materials
• Particle modeling and effects
• Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG) UI
• Access to C++ source code and API

Games Built with Unreal Engine

If you’re trying to decide between Unreal Engine vs Unity, it may help to know that some of the highest-quality AAA game studios have used Unreal Engine to create the most famous games on the market:

• Fortnite
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
• Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
• Tetris Effect
• Gears 5

Similarities Between Unity and Unreal

Despite their rivalry, Unity and Unreal offer similar tools and capabilities for game design and development, including:

The ability to create AAA-quality graphics, as well as bridges for most standard software products.
An extensive toolset, including terrain editors, animation, physics simulation, VR support, and more.

When choosing between Unreal Engine or Unity, keep the following key differences in mind:

• Source Code: Unreal Engine provides full access to source code, while Unity is read-only
• Release Date: Unreal Engine debuted in 1998, while Unity was announced and released in 2005
• Languages: Unreal Engine uses C++, while Unity uses C#, which is often considered faster to learn and more suitable for beginner game developers than C++
• Community: Both engines have huge active user communities, but Unity currently holds nearly 50% market share compared to 13% for Unreal
• Documentation: Both engines offer extensive documentation explaining their tools and features
• Asset Store: Asset stores allow users to download mods, like new textures or props for their games. Unreal offers around 16,000 assets, while Unity has over 65,000
• Graphics: Both tools can produce great graphics, but Unreal Engine is superior for achieving the highest quality graphics and environmental detail
• Rendering: