The gaming space is constantly growing and innovating with the newest trend of blockchain games revolutionising the billion-dollar industry by drawing developers and players to Web3. Game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine serve as the cornerstones in this shift, providing developers with the resources to make engaging, interactive games that seamlessly integrate with blockchains. These engines are instrumental in merging traditional gaming with the burgeoning blockchain gaming sector.
According to data from Game7’s State of Web3 Gaming in 2023 report, Unity and Unreal Engine are the primary engine choices for the majority of the top 1,000 Web3 games. Unity, in particular, is used in over half the video games today, with 1.5 million builders choosing it to develop games across 20+ different platforms. Unreal Engine, capturing 44% of the market share for Web3 games, is rapidly gaining traction among developers. Other game engines also allow builders to integrate Web3 technology into their development process for Web3 games.
In this article, we’ll explore the options for game developers to build great blockchain games on Oasys.
Why are Unity and Unreal The Top Game Engines for Web3 Game Development?
Unity and Unreal Engine are the gold standard for Web3 game creation. Both game engines support multiple platforms and make it easier to create cutting-edge gameplay and user experiences. While Unreal Engine reigns supreme in terms of 3D visuals, Unity shines especially brightly in the field of mobile games. Furthermore, both platforms support widely used scripting languages: Unity uses C# along, while Unreal Engine relies on C++. Additional options for script-free game creation are particularly useful for beginners and developers who lack a programming background.
These two engines are backed by extensive communities filled with enthusiastic developers and supporters. Both are well-equipped for smooth integration with the Web3 ecosystem. However, the current trend towards mobile and 2D games in the blockchain gaming sector implies that it might take a while for Web3 games to fully leverage Unreal Engine’s advanced capabilities.
While currently, Unity’s suitability for 2D and puzzle-based games has made it a leading force in blockchain game development, the quality of graphics and interaction in Web3 games is advancing rapidly. So it’s a matter of time before we see Unreal Engine find a bigger base of blockchain game developers.
Both the Unity and Unreal Engine platforms empower developers to create state-of-the-art games with diverse Web3 functionalities. But choosing the right blockchain to build and deploy on is just as important as picking the right game engine to ensure your blockchain games interact seamlessly with third-party services and provide players with an engaging gaming experience.
Should You Choose Unity or Unreal for Building a Blockchain Game on Oasys?
At Oasys, our goal is to create a dynamic and secure ecosystem for blockchain game developers to thrive in Web3. Our integrations with a number of blockchain gaming SDKs are a significant leap forward for the gaming industry, enabling immersive, secure, and cross-chain gaming experiences. Currently, Oasys supports Thirdweb, Sequence and Altura, (and more) to provide developers with sophisticated tools like pre-built smart contracts and support for top game engines.
With 50+ games in various categories, including RPGs, Strategy Games, Simulation Games, Racing Games, Action Games, and others, Oasys shows how easy it is to add Web3 technology to blockchain games with third-party SDK integration directly in our Verse environment. It makes the development process easy and flexible for engaging, safe, and seamless gaming experiences.
Integrations with SDKs that support top game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, advanced account abstraction infrastructure, an intuitive wallet SDK, and seamless on-chain payment solutions, elevate the gaming experience for developers and users not just on Oasys but in the broader Web3 space. This integration allows developers to concentrate on crafting outstanding games using Unity, Unreal, and other game engines, without the complexities often associated with incorporating Web3 elements.
As a game developer, you will want to know which game engine is suitable for your blockchain game. The choice of game engine will affect how your game looks, the gameplay, any problems that might come up, and even how much money you make.
With that in mind, let’s look at the different game engines out there so you can pick the best one for making epic blockchain games on Oasys.
Unity
Unity stands out in the indie game development scene for its exceptional ease of use and robust community backing. Its versatility shines in both 2D and 3D game development, making it a go-to choice for a wide spectrum of gaming projects. Unity’s appeal lies in how it adapts to each developer’s unique skills and needs.
Pros:
- User-Friendly Programming: Unity leverages C#, an easier language than C++, opening doors for inexperienced developers.
- Rich Asset Library: The Unity Asset Store is stocked with an array of free and paid resources, ready to be integrated into games.
- Strong Community Backing: Multiple tutorials and ready-to-use examples support various game genres and game development scenarios.
- Shader Programming Simplified: Unity’s graph-based Shader feature demystifies shader programming, requiring minimal code.
Cons:
- Multiplayer Integration Issues: Unity currently grapples with integrating multiplayer features, especially as the UNet library is gradually retired.
- Dependence on Asset Store: There’s a risk of over-relying on the asset store for certain functionalities, which might limit developer creativity.
Unreal Engine
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine rose to prominence in the gaming industry for its exceptional visual effects (VFX). It has a slightly steeper learning curve than Unity, but it makes up for it with a suite of advanced tools. The Blueprint visual scripting system is user-friendly and convenient for developers who want to create games without deep coding knowledge.
Pros:
- Intuitive Scripting with Blueprints: The Blueprints system is a game-changer, enabling game creation without coding – a great fit for those new to programming.
- Robust C++ Environment: Unreal Engine provides C++ support with full engine source code for those who wish to dive deep into customization.
- Expansive Multiplayer Features: Sophisticated built-in tools allow for multiplayer game development.
- VR Tools in Editing: Unreal Engine provides VR support, allowing developers to craft levels in 3D space using VR headsets.
Cons:
- Not Beginner-friendly: Its complexity, primarily due to its C++ foundation, can be daunting.
- Rigidity in Certain Classes: Specific classes, like the “Character” class, may lack the flexibility needed for diverse game designs.
- Performance Trade-offs with Blueprints: The Blueprints system can sometimes result in performance overhead when compared to using native C++.
Other Engines
Other than Unity and Unreal, there are many game engines, particularly for 2D game development. Engines like LOVE and PyGame function more as libraries, primarily offering rendering capabilities. These are ideal for developers who primarily need a straightforward method to display graphics on screen without the complexities of a full-fledged game engine.
For 2D game development, GameMaker Studio and Cocos2D are notable options, each equipped with comprehensive editors. However, these engines may not be the best choice for more complex projects due to the stronger community support and resources available with other engines like Unity and Unreal. For those specifically looking to develop 2D games, Godot stands out as a viable and robust alternative.
In the realm of 3D game development, the only other major engine accessible to the public is CryEngine, which has evolved into AWS Lumberyard under Amazon’s stewardship. This engine offers another option for those seeking to develop 3D games, though it doesn’t currently match the widespread use and community support of Unity and Unreal.
A Final Word
We’ve seen games come leaps and bounds in the way they interact with public blockchains since Web3 tools were integrated into game development. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency are two of the newest elements brought about by this integration, which opens the door to safe, decentralized, and entertaining gaming.
Blockchain and Web3 components have enormous potential to revolutionise game economies; however, this can only be realised if a better Web3 gaming stack becomes freely accessible. We need more platforms and tools that combine blockchain technology with classic game features so that developers can keep up with the latest trends in blockchain gaming.
Our Discord channel is a great place to start if you want to learn how to build and deploy on Oasys. You can also get help and advice from the Oasys team about the available Web3 stacks to create the next great blockchain game.
Learn more about Oasys:
Website: https://www.oasys.games/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oasys_games
Discord: http://discord.gg/oasysgames
Telegram: https://t.me/oasysen