The game's engine

[Aj]

Has any choice of an engine been made?

If not, I would suggest Unreal or Source since both are relatively easy to modify(in terms of tools given) and both have good graphics.

[MacBryce]

The choice of the engine will be made after the team has been fully assembled. Don't forget that there are quality open source engines out there too.

ElShotte did post a list of possible engines.

This was originally written by BlueKorrie
on the 3d BuzZ forums. Minor changes by me.

List of 3D Engines
--------------------------------------------------

1. Amp 3D Game Design System http://www.slamsoftware.com
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Amp provides fast scene rendering with per pixel lighting, normal mapping, specular highlighting and stencil shadowing, all advanced hardware rendering pixel shaders used to create stunning real time graphics that were previously only possible with pre-rendered movies. It also features an advanced skeletal character animation system that provides exceptionally smooth animation and the ability to dynamically combine and play more than one animation simultaneously (for example, the mixing of different upper and lower body animations). Also, Amp supports vertex blending of up to four bones, for very realistic joints and facial animations without the typical crumpling you see in other game engine joints..
The Amp Editing package provides the tools for building and viewing levels. The level editor is integrated with the engine for WYSIWYG editing. (What You See Is What You get)
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Amp II Licensing starts from $200.00


2. Aleph One http://source.bungie.org/
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No comments...
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Aleph One Licensing starts from $0.00


3. Axel http://www.mindavenue.com
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AXEL is the most powerful and cost effective solution for creating high impact interactive multimedia for web/CD/DVD. AXEL allows you to easily incorporate 2D, 3D, video, Flash, text and sound, add animation and interactivity without requiring any other 3D tools or any programming or scripting skills.
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Axel Licensing starts from $595 US (download) trial is available.


4. Anark Studio http://www.anark.com
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This unmatched authoring tool allows you to develop and deliver rich, interactive multimedia presentations for a variety of applications that engage your audiences on a whole new level.
Anark Studio provides the power to integrate 3D models and 2D graphics with video and audio to create visually superior interactive experiences that range from training, visualization and corporate communications to complex process demonstrations and interactive web applications.
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anark studio student Licensing starts from $99


5. APOCALYX 3D Engine http://apocalyx.sourceforge.net/
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6DX is a 3D simulation engine. It includes support for Rendering, Collision, and scene management. You can use 6DX to make games, or any other sort of simulation that needs 3D - Architectual walkthroughs, or process visualization, etc.
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APOCALYX Licensing starts from $0.00


6. Alice v2.0b http://apocalyx.sourceforge.net/
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Alice address both the mechanical and sociological barriers that currently prevent many students from successfully learning to program a computer. Alice addresses the mechanical barriers to programming by making it much easier for students to create programs. Rather than having to correctly type commands according to obscure rules of syntax, students drag-and-drop words in a direct manipulation interface.
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Alice Licensing starts from $0.00


7. 6DX http://www.aztica.com/modules/news/
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6DX is a 3D simulation engine. It includes support for Rendering, Collision, and scene management. You can use 6DX to make games, or any other sort of simulation that needs 3D - Architectual walkthroughs, or process visualization, etc.
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6DX Licensing starts from $0.00



8. XEngine http://xengine.sourceforge.net/
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XEngine is a platform- and rendering-API-independent 3D engine for real-time visualization with support for programmable graphics pipeline architectures and is implemented in C++. The engine aims at flexible support for many of the shading languages available today, so that existing shaders can easily be re-used.
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Aleph One Licensing starts from $0.00



9. Ogre http://www.ogre3d.org/
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Simple, easy to use OO interface designed to minimise the effort required to render 3D scenes, and to be independent of 3D implementation i.e. Direct3D/OpenGL.
Powerful material declaration language allows you to maintain material assets outside of your code
Export from many modelling tools including Milkshape3D, 3D Studio Max, Maya, Blender and Wings3D
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Aleph One Licensing starts from $0.00



10. The Irrlicht Engine http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/
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The Irrlicht Engine is a cross-platform high performance realtime 3D engine written in C++. It is a powerful high level API for creating complete 3D and 2D applications like games or scientific visualizations. It comes with an excellent documentation and integrates all the state-of-the-art features for visual representation like dynamic shadows, particle systems, character animation, indoor and outdoor technology, and collision detection.
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The Irrlicht Engine Licensing starts from $0.00


11. The Torque Engine http://www.garagegames.com/
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The Torque Game Engine (TGE) is a fully featured AAA game engine with award winning multi-player network code, seamless indoor/outdoor rendering engines, state of the art skeletal animation, drag and drop GUI creation, a built in world editor, and a C-like scripting language. Unlike most commercial game engines, as part of the low cost license, you receive all C++ source code to the engine, so you can make any additions you need for your game.
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The Torque Engine Licensing starts from $0.00


12. PPTactical Engine http://aspc.cs.utt.ro/~karg/ppt/
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No comments
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PPTactical Engine Licensing starts from $0.00


13. The Yeti Engine GBA Engine http://www.theteahouse.com.au/gba/index.html
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The current GBA viewport is 120x80 pixels, 15bit.
MD2 Rendering. Models are converted to a ARM friendly format.
3 Levels of texture mipping.
Coloured lighting. 4 pre-calculated light models. White, Red, Green & Blue.
Engine supports radiosity lighting and shadows.
All textures are 64x64 8bit.
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The Yeti Engine Licensing starts from $6000.00 when try to sell a game



14. V3X 3D Engine http://www.v3x.net/v3x/v3x_3d_engine.html
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A C or C++ cross-platform programming API for all Win32 platforms (Windows CE included), MacOS X G4 and BeOS.
A fast cross-platform software renderer (V3X software renderer)
SSE and Altivec optimised code.
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The V3X Engine Licensing starts from $5000.00




15. neEnginehttp://www.v3x.net/v3x/v3x_3d_engine.html
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Scene Graph based
Dependency Graph animation system
Full DirectX 8.1 support (DirectX 9.0 soon)
Fast collision detection
Dedicated file system, supporting text, binary and compressed formats
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The neEngine Engine Licensing starts from contact@fluidinteractive.com.


16. Genesis3D http://www.genesis3d.com/
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Genesis3D is an Open Source 3D Game Development Engine, with a license designed to allow use of the game in commercial, or non-commercial applications for free.
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The Genesis3D Engine Licensing starts from 0,0 for home use and $10,000 per title.



17. Cipher Game Engine http://www.cipherengine.com/
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Genesis3D is an Open Source 3D Game Development Engine, with a license designed to allow use of the game in commercial, or non-commercial applications for free.
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The Genesis3D Engine Licensing starts from $100



18. Auran Jet http://www.auran.com/jet/default.htm
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Genesis3D is an Open Source 3D Game Development Engine, with a license designed to allow use of the game in commercial, or non-commercial applications for free.
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The Auran Jet Engine Licensing starts from $136.50


19. Power Render SDK http://www.3dengine.ca/
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The Power Render SDK is the most powerful middleware solution for PC game developers. By combining indoor BSP and outdoor terrain rendering, character animation, particle effects, 3D sound, and exposing the latest 3D hardware features, Power Render will help jump start your 3D application.
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The Power Render SDK Licensing starts from $89.95



20. LIGHTSPEED http://lightspeed3d.cjb.net/
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Dynamic Shadows
Support for 3dfx's Glide, partial support for Microsoft's Direct3d, software rendering using Span Buffering, and OpenGL support
DirectSound, Direct 3d sound, Aureal 3d sound, and partial Linux sound support.
Support for Win95, Win98, and WinNT and Linux
Game editor
TCP networking code, supporting UDP and TCP
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The LIGHTSPEED Licensing starts from $xx.xx


21. Twilight 3DGE http://www.twilight3d.com/modules.p...=thread&order=0
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For speeding up development of most types of 3D projects, and getting a wealth of know-how as a bonus, the Twilight 3DGE v2.2 has proved itself as a working solution. Not only has it been sold on an ethical "Twilight 3D only makes money if you make money with it"-basis, which has been ideal for new development teams looking for a kickstart into high-tech development
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The Twilight 3DGE Licensing starts from sales@twilight3d.com


22. neoengine http://www.neoengine.org
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No comment...
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The neoengine Licensing starts from $0,00


23. Cat Mother http://catmother.sourceforge.net/
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No comment...
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The Cat Mother Licensing starts from $0,00


24. Nebula2 http://www.radonlabs.de/nebula.html
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Nebula2 is the next step in the evolution, fully unleashing the power of programmable graphics hardware in a flexible high level framework.
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The Nebula2 Licensing starts from $0,00


25. Faked Reality http://fakedreality.sourceforge.net/index.shtml
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Highly modular architecture.
Built in game editor.
Engine Configuration based on XML.
FlexShaderä system, which provides a unique shader based technology, allowing programmers to produce new rendering effects with ease, and use the latest VS2.0x,PS2.0x shader technologies.
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The Faked Reality Licensing starts from $0,00


26. Quest3D http://www.quest3d.com
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Quest3Dâ,,¢ is a fast and easy way to create digital entertainment. By using a real-time interface that does not require any programming, creating a game is easier and quicker than ever before.
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The Quest3D Licensing starts from $89,00 or a demo edition


27. Revolution3D http://www.revolution3d.de/postNuke/
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Basing on Microsoft DirectX 9.0
Written in c++ for maximum speed and flexibility
Open ports for Visua C++, Visual Basic 5.0 and better
(C#, Visual Basic .NET, Borland Delphi are in work)
API COM Crossroad in development for every other COM-able language
very easy to use interface and well structured classes
(optional) user controlled device enumeration
Best W/Z-Buffer detection (support for 16, 24, 32 bit)
Automatic detection and use of hardware TnL feature if supported
Anti Aliasing (2x2 and 4x4)
Multi Buffering
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The Quest3D Licensing starts from $0,00


28. Quake engine http://www.idsoftware.com/ http://www.planetquake.com/qer/news.html
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No comment...
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The Quake engine Licensing starts from $0,00


29. Visionâ,,¢ http://www.vulpine.de/index.php?sec...e&subject=intro
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Visionâ,,¢ is a universally usable high-performance game development system, being developed and continuously improved for the special needs and wishes of the entertainment industry. Rather than being centered around a single game project or even a specific genre like First-Person Shooters or Strategy Games, Vision is the development system of choice for virtually any kind of 3D title.
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The Visionâ,,¢ Licensing starts from $xx,xx


30. DarkBASIC http://darkbasic.thegamecreators.com/
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DarkBASIC allows you to create your own games, demos, slideshows, even business applications using the easy to understand BASIC programming language. Even if you've never coded before, just follow the in-depth tutorials and you'll be generating results in minutes! Harness the power of Direct X and make 3D objects come to life in just a few simple commands.
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The DarkBASIC Licensing starts from $49,99


31. 3D GameStudio http://www.conitec.net/a4info.htm
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It combines a high-end 3D engine, a 2D engine, a physics engine, a map and model editor, a script compiler and huge libraries of 3D objects, artwork and pre-made games.
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The 3D GameStudio Licensing starts from approx $49.00


32. Sunspire http://www.razor.sk/sunspire.html
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No comment...
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The Sunspire Licensing starts from approx $0.00


33. Vegastrike http://vegastrike.sourceforge.net/
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Space simulator engine (heavily inspired in games like Freespace and Wing Commander Prophecy)
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The Vegastrike Licensing starts from approx $x.xx



34. The x engine http://www.thexengine.com/licopt.htm
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The X Engine is an extremely powerful, extensible and easy to use game engine targeting a wide array of modern platforms including Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, and Linux, as well as console gaming systems from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft.
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The x engine Licensing starts from $199.00



35. The Unreal 2 Engine http://udn.epicgames.com/Powered/UnrealEngine2Runtime
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The Unreal 2 Engine is an extremely powerful, extensible and easy to use game engine targeting a wide array of modern platforms including Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, and Linux, as well as console gaming systems from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft.
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The Unreal 2 Engine starts from $xxxxx.xx

[kilwar]

As to open source... Will the game be an open-source?

[MR.Mic]

My vote is heavily AGAINST any mod-job.

The best option for controlability would be to develop an in-house engine with either custom or public open source libraries.

[VaNilla]

I still agree with mic :D If we decide to use a game SDK though... I would go for source

[MacBryce]

I'd personally only go for a game's SDK if it would be Chaos Theory's versus mode SDK and that just not going to happen. That's just my two cents.

[element54]

I can't immagine Ubi letting us have the CT versus SDK. Unreal engine would be nice but it costs alot of money. If you can afford that cost then you deffinitely have a position on the development team.  ;D

[VaNilla]

Hehe ^. Ogre or Source are my choices at the moment but Ogre would be best, my opinion

[goodkebab]

to use an engine like Unreal  costs in the hundreds of thousands to use.

[iservealot]

I think that it *MIGHT* be a possibility to get a CT SDK. MAYBE.

I think that we should use Unreal 3. We don't have to have licenses for the engine, we can simply do a total conversions mod on an existing game.

[Vega]

I think that it *MIGHT* be a possibility to get a CT SDK. MAYBE.

I think that we should use Unreal 3. We don't have to have licenses for the engine, we can simply do a total conversions mod on an existing game.

Wouldn't the game look like Unreal and not CT?

[MacBryce]

CT is a game in the Unreal 2.5 warfare engine. DA uses Unreal 3, so that's not the problem.

An in-house SDK using an open-source engine like Ogre still sounds best to me, tbh, but we're not passed the concept art stage yet so keep the debate alive.

Let's get some pros and cons in here because right now everybody is just yellling "ENGINE X IZ TEH BEST !!!1!!1!1". The only arguments I've heard so far are "Open Source is free and a game engine is not" and "yea, but if we mod the game then it's free too".

Furthermore, I'd like to hear exactly HOW we'll get that SCCT SDK because that would be a major breakthrough. The only reason we're evaluating engines and talking about cloning is because we are sure that the SCCT SDK isn't an option.

[goodkebab]

we need to get whomever is going to program this engine to decide what engine he wants.  Basically, they need to start getting involved in this right now before we can make a decision on the engine.

[scope2005]

Hey guys,

Thought id give a few suggestions on choice of engine.

If you can find an open source engine, that natively supports shader model 3.0 effects (perhaps even 4.0, that would be really cool), then your going to save yourselves a lot of work, as you wont have to mess around under the hood to get things like normal/parralax mapping, specular, HDR and all of that jazz working.
One drawback of using an open source engine however may be the size of the product after its finished, having to include the engine with the download may increase the filesize hugely... I dont know if that concerns you or not, but huge file sizes can be a turn off for potential players if its too big.

On the other hand if you do a total conversion of a currently existing game, the filesize will be much smaller, but you will be limiting your audience to those who own the game your modding for.

An advantage of this, is that the engine you mod for may already have support for various Shader effects, meaning you wont have to program your own.. my 2 pennies on each of the most popular engines available below:

Unreal Warfare 2.5: As far as I understand its definately the easiest to code for, the downside? no DX9.0c features, think about the best shader effect it has is specular, meaning you would have to write your own code to implement other shaders.. Also the Lighting system sucks completely.. another stealth mod team ran into probems with the shadows.. so coding your own would be preferable, meaning lots of work.

Unreal 3.0: A few games are starting to use the engine now, and its looking damn pretty, nice lighting system from looks of things.. Shouldnt be too different to mod for than Unreal Warfare 2.5 meaning it will probably be easy, but means waiting for UT2007. Who knows how long untill they release an SDK after it comes out?

Half-Life 2: Native support for most SM3.0 effects, but from what i can tell has a really shitty lighting system. A very popular game, so a lot of people are going to have it..

Doom3/Quake4: If you dont want to have to play around with your own lighting system, then Doom3/Quake4 is weapon of choice. A singleplayer Stealth Mod based off the Thief series called the Dark Mod is using this engine solely because of the Lighting/Shadows. I believe very much like CT/PT/DA, anything in shadow gets pixel shading effects applied to them so they blend in no matter how high you put your gamma - might be worth a look.

[goodkebab]

the question is. 

We cannot pay for the game engine...so what is the best engine we can use, for free.