[Joker]

"I want to make video games, but I can't afford too."

That statement is probably the most often quoted line I have ever heard. Many people have the desire to make a video game, or get their idea out there, but when they start researching the costs of game engines they get discouraged. It's expensive, and for the last few years the costs of these engines have been the deciding factor for many independent artists.

Well now there is hope. It seems there has been a revolution of late to get independent artists and programmers noticed. There have been several XNA games that have won awards, iPhone apps that have made millions, and even honest to goodness independent game releases for the 360 and PS3. Well, it looks like Unity is deciding that the average Joe needs to get it on this. They have decided to drop the low price of $200 bucks, and just GIVE away their engine.

Now, if only there were some place on this grand World Wide Web to go learn how to use it. Maybe some certain Busby needs to get his rear in gear and start making some training videos.

The Unity engine is becoming even more affordable to independent and hobbyist developers, as Unity Technologies has retired the $200 "Unity Indie" offering and replaced it with a free license, simply called Unity.

Developer Unity Technologies is keeping the full-fledged Unity Pro license priced at $1500. Alongside the new pricing shift, Unity is moving from version 2.5 to version 2.6, adding new graphics and pipeline capabilities. And Unity CEO David Helgason tells Gamasutra the company has Xbox 360 support in the works as well.

Features new to Unity 2.6 include full integration with Visual Studio and support for external revision control solutions like Subversion and Perforce. Both these inclusions Unity says are aimed at allowing the engine to better slot into existing large-scale developers' production pipelines.

Also new to 2.6 are graphics and performance capabilities like post-processing-compatible anti-aliasing, screen space ambient occlusion, and background fully-threaded asset streaming.

Gamasutra spoke with Helgason prior to his keynote address at the currently-underway Unite Conference in San Francisco, and he discussed the company's thinking behind its new free license, how the engine's Mac roots helped development even as it hindered growth, and why Unity can help restore faith in humanity.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=25840

Hit the link for the full interview. (It's well worth it.)

What makes me happy about this, is that not only can independent artists start getting their game out there. But Gamers are benefiting from this as well. Without a major parent studio bottom lining the all mighty dollar as their ultimate goal, independent artists can actually take the time to craft their masterpiece into just that. They don't have deadlines, they don't people breathing down their necks to make content, they don't have to worry about if the public will like it or not. Because they don't have all these stresses, they can continue to polish it until it's something they can be proud of.

[dobe]

Originally Posted by Joker

They don't have deadlines, they don't people breathing down their necks to make content, they don't have to worry about if the public will like it or not. Because they don't have all these stresses, they can continue to polish it until it's something they can be proud of.

You mean like Duke Nukem Forever?

[xarius]

*foresees 3DBuzz tutorials on Unity in the near future*

If the Buzz crew is planning on some Unity stuff, let me know. I've been using it for over 2 years and would be glad to help out.

[xarius]

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[DigitalDemigod]

Wow, that is some pretty sweet news!

Originally Posted by xarius

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[Marscaleb]

The title says 360 support, but I don't see it anywhere...

And I have to wonder, what do you really need for 360 support? Don't you also need a dev kit to get that working? And in all honesty, that can't be cheap...

Oh, and does anyone have nay links to games made with this Unity engine? I'd like to see what it can do...

[ffejnosliw]

Originally Posted by Marscaleb

The title says 360 support, but I don't see it anywhere...

And I have to wonder, what do you really need for 360 support? Don't you also need a dev kit to get that working? And in all honesty, that can't be cheap...

Oh, and does anyone have nay links to games made with this Unity engine? I'd like to see what it can do...

If you read the article, it clearly says Xbox 360 support is "in the works". So if you don't see it, then it probably isn't there yet. And you can put games on the Xbox 360 right now with XNA without a dev kit so depending on how they implement their support I don't think it would necessarily be needed for this.

Gallery: http://unity3d.com/gallery/

[owensd]

Originally Posted by ffejnosliw

If you read the article, it clearly says Xbox 360 support is "in the works". So if you don't see it, then it probably isn't there yet. And you can put games on the Xbox 360 right now with XNA without a dev kit so depending on how they implement their support I don't think it would necessarily be needed for this.

Gallery: http://unity3d.com/gallery/

Jeff... now would you go and talk about "reading"... sheesh!

[~Hazdaz~]

This sounds REALLY interesting... I'm too tired to check out the link tonight, but subscribing so I can find it tomorrow.

[owensd]

www.unity3d.com is where you get it from. The engine looks pretty good and I've been on the fence with getting it, but now that it is free, it's a no brainer.