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The Unreal Engine is a widely-used ''). Its core written in C++ , the Unreal Engine features a high degree of portability, supporting a plethora of platforms including the IBM PC Compatible s ( Microsoft Windows , GNU/Linux ), Apple Macintosh ( Mac OS , Mac OS X ) and many Consoles ( Dreamcast , Xbox , Xbox 360 , PlayStation 2 , PlayStation 3 , Wii ). A great deal of the gameplay code is written in UnrealScript , a proprietary scripting language, and as such large parts of the gameplay can be modified without delving deep into the engine internals. Additionally, as with other Middleware packages, the Unreal Engine also provides various tools to assist with content creation, both for designers and artists. The latest release is the Unreal Engine 3, which is designed around Microsoft's DirectX 9 technology for 32/64-bit Windows and Xbox 360 platforms; OpenGL 2.x technology for 32/64-bit Linux , Mac OS X and Sony's PlayStation 3 ; and Microsoft's DirectX 10 technology for 32/64-bit Windows Vista . VERSIONS Unreal Engine 1 Making its debut in 1998, the first generation Unreal Engine integrated Rendering , Collision Detection , AI , visibility, Networking and File System management into one complete engine. With the level of integration used, some trade-offs were necessary to maintain performance levels with the hardware that was available at the time. For example, Epic decided to use Cylindrical Collision Detection over the IK Collision Detection system in an effort to maintain playable framerates on systems that were common at the time of its release. Internally, Epic used this engine for '' Unreal '' and '' Unreal Tournament ''. '', '' Unreal Tournament 2004 '' and '' Unreal Tournament 3 '' side-by-side. ]] Unreal Engine 2 The second version of the Unreal Engine got off to a rocky start with the mixed reviews for '' Unreal Tournament 2003 ''. This generation saw the core code and rendering engine completely re-written and the new UnrealEd 3 integrated. It also integrated the Karma physics SDK, which powered the Ragdoll Physics in '' Unreal Tournament 2003 '' and '' Unreal Championship ''. Many other engine elements were also updated, with improved and added support for the PlayStation 2 , GameCube and the Xbox . Build UE2.5, an update, improved rendering performance and added vehicles physics, particle system editor for UnrealEd and 64-bit support in '' Unreal Tournament 2004 ''. A specialized version of UE2.5 called UE2X, which was used for '' Unreal Championship 2 '', features optimizations specific to the first-generation Xbox . Unreal Engine 3 The third generation Unreal Engine was designed specifically for '' and is using it for '' Unreal Tournament 3 ''. Due to aggressive licensing, this current iteration has garnered a great deal of support from several big licensees, including Disney , Sega , Sony , Electronic Arts , Capcom , and Square Enix . UE3 has also seen adoption by many non-gaming projects including construction simulation and design, training simulation, driving simulation, virtual reality shopping malls, movie storyboards, continuity, pre-visual, etc., in spite of the fact that the toolset and source code is meant for games. At E3 2007, Sony announced a partnership with Epic with the objective of optimizing the Unreal Engine 3 for the PlayStation 3 hardware, which would affect the dozens of games and developers currently using it. As of July 19, 2007, the Unreal Engine 3 is the subject of a lawsuit served to Epic from Silicon Knights . Denis Dyack, president of Silicon Knights alleged that the Unreal Engine 3 did not work as Epic promised. "..it seems pretty clear that Gears War was built on the backs of the Unreal Engine licensees. We certainly stand by our allegations in the lawsuit that instead of using our licensing fees to develop and support the Unreal Engine 3, Epic used that money to build Gears," Dyack said. As such, Silicon Knights decided not to use the Unreal Engine for future games and instead, modified the Unreal Engine and are claiming it as their own. Epic however, counter-sued SK (Silicon Knights) for unrightful use of Unreal 3 technology in their new Silicon Knights engine. Unreal Engine 4 , Sweeney stated that development will not begin in earnest on the next version until some time in 2008. Unreal Engine 3 is intended to be significantly enhanced and major new features to be added until 2012. VIDEO GAMES A list of many other games powered by Unreal Technology can be viewed on the official website . Unreal Engine 1
Unreal Engine 2
Unreal Engine 3
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