Technical Consideration of "Unity3D" Game Engine Supporting Multi-Platform and Case Study of Game Content Development

Paul
Sep 14
6 min read

May 2010, Korea Game Society

Sung-il Oh*, Jung-kyu Joo**, Ji-hoon Kim**

Unity Korea Co. Ltd, *Digital Human Power

sales@unitykorea.co.kr*, joojungk21@korea.com**, help@unitykorea.co.kr**

Abstract

Game engines are essential development tool software for developing all types of games including online games, mobile games, console games, web games, smartphone games, iPhone games, and portable games (NDS, GPX, etc.). This study aims to conduct technical consideration of Unity3D, a Danish game engine that supports multi-platform with easy-to-use Graphic User Interface (GUI), excellent special effects, physics engine support, artificial intelligence support, and excellent cost-performance ratio, as well as research on game content development cases using this game engine.

In particular, Unity3D game engine is a multi-platform solution that operates on various platforms including PC/Mac, web browsers, iPhone, iPad, Android, Nintendo (Wii, NDS), X-Box Live, PS3, etc. Game content developed to date includes hundreds of game titles. Representative games include EA Sports' Tiger Woods LPGA Tour Online, Grigon Entertainment's MMOs (Casual Web Game) Fusion Fall online game, and many other game contents. For iPhone, there are numerous game contents including Colosseum, and games for Nintendo, PS3, and X-Box are also being prepared.

Keywords: web online game, iPhone game, iPad game, Direct X, OpenGL, High-quality Mipmap Generation, Full Rigid Bodies, Version control system, JavaScript, C#, Lighting System, Web player, Mesh rendering engine, Pitch and Doppler effect.

1. Introduction

This research paper aims to describe the architecture and technical performance analysis of "Unity3D" engine, a multi-platform supporting game engine capable of developing various game contents such as PC/Mac online games, web-online games, console games, iPhone games, iPad games, portable games, etc., as well as game content development service cases.

Unity3D game engine, which supports multi-platform, is suitable as a game development tool for game content companies and is a convenient game content development solution for developing various game contents.

Unity3D is a multi-platform game engine developed by Denmark's 'Unity' company, created with development convenience in mind. It adopts an ultra-simple GUI (Graphic User Interface) that can be understood in about 1 hour, supports excellent special effects, powerful physics engine and artificial intelligence (AI), and has excellent cost-performance ratio. In particular, it is a game engine specialized for developing web games, iPhone and iPad games, console games (PS3, X-Box, Wii), and smartphone games.

It is also an engine suitable for creating PC/Mac online games.

2. Unity3D Architecture

Unity3D game engine consists of various engines and tools including Graphic engine (rendering engine), AI engine, Physics (AGEIA embedded) engine, UnityEditor (UX, UI), Asset Importing (3D format, Image, Sound & Video files), Terrains Generator, Shaders, Networking, Sound & Video engine, and Server/Client system. These engines support APIs and have a structure that drives multi-platform.

The following [Figure-1] shows the detailed configuration diagram of Unity3D engine.

2.1 Component Technology Functions of Unity3D Engine

The component technologies that constitute Unity3D engine have the following functions:

(1) Graphic Engine

Real-time processing of 1 million polygons per second
Built-in Particle system
Support for Direct X and OpenGL

(2) AI Engine (Artificial Intelligence Engine)

Multiple way Point system
Conditional artificial intelligence

(3) Editor

Intuitive UX environment support
Customizing UI (User Interface)
Drag and Drop method adoption

(4) Physics Engine

Next-generation physics engine AGEIA embedded

(5) Sound and Video Engine

3D Audio & Video Networking
All Formats support
Pitch & Doppler Effects support
Instant on Streaming function support

(6) Shaders

Full Screen Post-processing Effects
Water Effects support
40 Built-in Shaders
Write in Own function support

(7) Networking Support

Realtime Networking
Remote Procedure Calls
Back-end Connectivity
State Synchronization

(8) Terrains Generator

Sculpt like a Master (terrain change processing function)
Detail Texture Painting
Light maps
Blazing Speed (high-speed processing)

(9) Asset Importing

Input function for 3D formats, Images files, Sound & Video files

(10) API (Application Programming Interface)

JavaScript, C#, Python derivatives, dotNET, Handling Events, Cooperative Multi-Threading, World's Fastest JavaScript

As described above, Unity3D solution (engine) is a powerful single game engine that supports various functions supporting multi-platform.

2.2 Main Features of Unity3D

The main characteristic elements of this engine are as follows:

(1) Built-in UI Editor that makes UI (User Interface) changes easy, supporting convenient Drag and drop everything method

(2) Support for various 2D and 3D data files

(3) High-Quality Mipmap Generation support

(4) Built-in high-performance terrain creation engine

(5) Clear Texture processing

(6) Real-time network play

(7) Next-generation physics engine AGEIA built-in

(8) Optimized Lighting System lens play and cookie support

(9) iPhone, iPad, iPod development support with high-performance Mesh Rendering engine support (product name Unity iPhone)

(10) Android mobile support (scheduled for release in Q3 2010)

2.3 Unity3D Product Line

Unity3D engine product line consists of the following 4 types:

(1) Unity Pro (ver 2.6.1, ver 3.0 summer release) (2) Unity iPhone (ver 1.7, also supports iPad) (3) Unity Android (scheduled for release) (4) Unity Web Player (free)

3. Unity3D Utilization Platforms

Unity3D game engine can be utilized on various platforms including PC/Mac, Web Browser, X-Box 360 & Live, PS3, Wii, iPhone & iPad, Android Phone, and is being used commercially by many game development companies.

4. Content Development Cases Using Unity3D Engine

Various contents are being developed using Unity3D engine. Development cases are described by content genre.

4.1 Web 3D Games

(1) Sticky Studios (www.stickystudios.com)

Dukateers (Temple Trouble) game

(2) Three Melons (www.threemelons.com)

Argentina-based company
Provides content to companies like Lego, Coca-Cola, Audi, MTV Networks, Discovery Networks, Fox
LEGO Exo Force - 'Deep Jungle' web game

Other web games include 'Pepsi Footvolley', 'Tennis Stars Cup', 'Orangutan Island', 'The Cho Show game', 'Fluid', etc.

(3) Flashbang Studios (www.blurst.com)

Games include 'Cane War', 'Off-road Velociraptor Safari', 'Time Donkey', 'Paper Moon', 'MinotaurChina Shop', and many others.

(4) CN CartoonNetwork & Grigon (fusionfall.cartoonnetwork.com)

'Fusion Fall' web game was jointly developed by domestic Grigon Entertainment and US Cartoon Network, currently being serviced in the US.

(5) EA Sports' Tiger Woods LPGA Tour Web Game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour online web 3D game is a golf online game developed and serviced by EA Sports.

(6) SK Communication's 'Run A Way' Game

An online web 3D game that domestic SK Communication is preparing for development and service.

4.2 iPhone and iPad Games

(1) Sticky Studios (www.stickystudios.com) releases iPhone games including 'Gene Pool', 'Allianz F1 Racer', 'Sheep Abduction', 'Chevrolet Spark', etc.

Sheep Abduction game
EA's English word game: Scrabble (puzzle game)
Casual adventure game: Doons

(2) iPad Games

Real Racing: Racing game
Fly it Control HD: Aircraft route management game

4.3 Console Games (Wii)

(1) Wii Sample Games

4.4 Architecture and Interior

(1) Zerofacial Company

4.5 Educational Games

(1) Educational Game Screens

(2) Game Testing Game Screens

(3) History Education Games

(4) Big Brainz Educational Games

(5) Blakeschool (www.blakeschool.com) Educational Games

High-School Game Education program uses Unity3D to learn 3D artwork and game design concepts, injecting Creative Fun into all processes.

4.6 Domestic Web Game Development Cases

Dongyang Online (Tyonline.co.kr) is developing MMORPG 'Big Boss' and about 10 other web games. Wemade Entertainment is scheduled to release a soccer web game in May 2010, and MGame is scheduled to release 4 web games in the second half of 2010. CJ Internet's Marvel Box, and others include 'Sheep Village', 'Pirate', 'Astronest 2', 'Metal Saga', 'Puzzle Quest', etc. NCsoft, Nexon, Neowiz Games, and NHN Hangame are also preparing for web game publishing and development.

Additionally, 'Fusion Fall', jointly developed by Grigon Entertainment and US Cartoon Network, is also currently being serviced as a web game.

5. Conclusion

This research paper aims to contribute to expanding game content development through the introduction of 'Unity3D' engine's System Architecture, major component technologies, features, utilization platforms, and game development cases. The research purpose is to expand successful game content development and services through successful game content development cases.

Future research tasks include developing essential Plug-in software research for this engine through Unity3D engine utilization, and researching and discovering successful models for developing and servicing game content on all platforms including PC/Mac, web browsers, console games (PS3, Wii, X-Box Live, etc.), iPhone and iPad, Android phones (all smartphones), IPTV, etc.

In particular, it is remarkable as an ultra-low-cost game engine, and we would like to actively recommend it as a convenient game engine for developing web games and iPhone games that are optimal for current trends.