For this post, I am looking at Unreal Engine as an industry, exploring the uses and purposes within the industry. I will look at how different areas are using the tools which are connected to my learning.
There are many different areas within the Unreal Engine, ranging from gaming and design to film & TV. On the Unreal website, there is an insight into each section Unreal is mainly used for, which are the following:
GAMES
“Unreal Engine comes complete with everything you need to build and ship successful multi-platform games and location-based entertainment for any genre, with all tools and features included out of the box. With free access to source code, a robust C++ API, and Blueprint visual scripting at your fingertips, you’ve got the power to differentiate your title in any way you like.”- Unreal
The Unreal Engine was used to create the Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order game with EA Games.
Here is a video presenting the graphics and visuals of the game, showing the potential and power of the Unreal Engine.
This game was developed by Giant Squid, using UE4, and is presented on the Unreal Project Spotlight page. He used an artistic approach to this game and it paid off through the power of the visuals.
Here is a feature and explainer video of the game, explained by the developer team: They focus mainly on visuals rather than maths and programming, explaining that Unreal is a great piece of software for visual developers rather than programmers. Making it easier for the programmers, and artists.
Fortnite is a massively known game for its large open-world online game which is also free. This is very popular with the public and just shows the capability of the engine to create such a large, open-world game, which is free and has impressive graphics.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
There are many strengths with using Unreal engine for Gaming. As the Unreal engine is free, it means that anyone can be a game creator, meaning that there will be many amazing creations from people who have just created a game in their free time, giving unprofessional creators an opportunity to get noticed for their skill and creativity.
Epic games is already well known with gaming with popular games such as Fortnite, meaning that there is already a good reputation associated with Unreal.
Weaknesses:
Although there are some weaknesses such as the fact you need to have a platform which runs the software, and creating high quality and large games will take up a lot of performance which could affect creators who don’t have high spec products.
Opportunities:
There are many opportunities with Gaming in Unreal, as you can incorporate other areas into it which can make your project unique or fit a better purpose, whether it’s using photorealistic landscapes, Virtual Reality or stylized graphics.
Threats:
One threat is because Epic Games is so strongly associated with Unreal, people automatically will assume that the engine is mainly used for gaming, who don’t have much knowledge about the software. This could be a threat because it means that the audience would mainly attract gamers, and creatives who haven’t really looked into this may not see the potential Unreal has, at a first glance by just associating it with gaming.
ARCHITECTURE
“Unreal Engine is a complete suite of creation tools for photoreal visuals and real-time immersive experiences. With uncompromised quality, powerful performance, and proven results, Unreal Engine is the flexible, open platform visualization specialists can rely on to take their asset anywhere.”- Unreal
For architects and designers: Twinmotion is a tool used for architects and designers which makes the process not only easier, but faster and more convenient, as it is created for this purpose. Allowing for maximum customization with minimal hastle.
Here is an example of Twinmotion being used in a project:
Unreal can also be used for Visualisation Specialists: Buildmedia
Here is an example of Unreal being used for visualizing an architecture project:
VR Walkthroughs with KA DesignWorks
It has also been used for Virtual Reality so you can walk around and see projects in real-time.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
A strength with Unreal used for Architecture is that clients and businesses can visually see their creations in realtime which could result in a successful business meeting/ partnership or project for either work or just experience.
Weaknesses:
Although a weakness could be that not all architects have skill in the technical software like Unreal, and would take longer to learn how to use the software, or may need to hire someone to do it for them, this could result in an undesired output which doesn’t follow their style or intentions.
Opportunities:
This creates many possibilities and opportunities for building companies, architects, interior designers, etc. As they are able to create a visualization of their ideas and their clients are able to see any changes or have full customization in the pre-production of a project. They can even use it with Virtual Reality so they can see what it would look like to walk around an unbuilt house, giving a realistic project demonstration.
Threats:
One threat of using Unreal for architecture is that the physics may look realistic but may not be achievable in real life, so when it comes to create something in real life, the project may look better in Unreal, as it is created for visual projects, and specifically made to look appealing/ eyecatching. This may create unrealistic expectations and disappoint clients.
AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORTATION
“From design review to digital showroom, Unreal Engine delivers the highest-fidelity real-time visualizations and immersive experiences so stakeholders can evaluate concepts and configure options with confidence. And, with a 100% royalty-free license and free source code access, you’ll always be in the driver’s seat with an open road ahead.”- Unreal
Unreal was also used for creating visualizations for cars/ products.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
One strength of using Unreal for automotive and transportation is that it allows companies such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, etc, to use the engine to create digital showrooms allowing clients/ customers to see what their car could look like, and are able to customize it in realtime, for example choosing the right color, adding custom parts/ gadgets, so they can visualize the product, which makes it more likely for them to purchase a product. Which is beneficial to the company and Unreal.
Weaknesses:
One weakness is because the engine is so large and constantly being updated, it requires projects to be updated so that they can be used with the current version of the engine. This may mean that older projects may need to make some changes in order to work with all the updates.
Opportunities:
There are many opportunities with using Unreal for automotive and transportation, one that stands out is the use of Virtual Reality to create a realistic preview, maybe used for virtual test drives, so customers can create and customize a vehicle, then using VR they could digitally test drive it, so they can get a visualization of the performance of the car.
Threats:
One threat of this, is that it is heavily relying on modern technology, which is very risky due to technical issues or internet/ performance issues, etc. Therefore, it could potentially jeopardize the whole operation.
BROADCAST & LIVE EVENTS
“Whether you’re broadcasting live to air or tape, or putting on a live event, Unreal Engine offers a robust creative environment that’s opening up new potential to entertain, inform, and inspire. With the highest-quality real-time rendering and the freedom to make changes on the fly, you can deliver stunning mixed-reality experiences that engage viewers and audiences like never before.”- Unreal
The weather channel used unreal to stand out and add a unique experience…
Childish Gambino uses Unreal to create real time animations in his performance to create a unique experience for his fans.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
Using Unreal for live events has many benefits, such as catching attention and creating memorable memories. It can be used to create a unique experience, which could result in being noticed or increasing fame/ reputation.
Weaknesses:
One weakness of this is due to depending on technology for this, as there is always a chance that it could go wrong, or if you set up the project in the incorrect way, it could negatively affect everything, as it is live and in realtime, it could be a big problem, so accuracy and skill is very important.
Opportunities:
This creates endless possibilities and potential with the game engine, as it could be used for any event to create visual effects in realtime, which can change the whole experience of events, making it more magical. For example, it could be used to create visual effects/ backgrounds/ environments for events which have only hired a small venue, giving a unique environment that will increase the quality and value of the event, making it stand out. One example is for a wedding. If there is a couple who want to make their day special but cannot afford a magical venue, Unreal could be used to add a fantasy scene/ particles/ atmosphere.
Threats:
By not exploring the potential Unreal has, it is a threat, due to the endless possibilities, narrowing the knowledge/ skill within the Unreal would be a waste, and being afraid, or too lazy to explore what you can achieve in this area would be negative. As it could potentially be used for anything.
Although, because of this, celebrities and well-known companies/ organizations could take advantage and use it in a negative way which would negatively impact the reputation of Unreal.
FILM & TELEVISION
“From high-quality previs, to virtual production, to in-camera visual effects that take the post out of production, Unreal Engine is ushering in a new era of storytelling. Whether you’re working on episodic animation, live-action blockbusters, or short-form content, real-time workflows are radically transforming established pipelines and delivering renewed creative control.”- Unreal
The Unreal engine is used within Virtual Production in the film industry.
It is used in the TV show: The Mandalorian for Virtual Production:
Art of LED Wall Virtual Production, Part One: ‘Lessons from the Mandalorian’
Unreal Engine in-camera VFX: a behind-the-scenes look
It is also used to create animated films and video shorts such as this one:
Digital Domain’s quest to craft the ultimate digital human
As well as creating digital creations, replicating real-life people/ animals/ objects.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
One strength of using Unreal for Virtual Production within the TV and Film industry is that it can reduce the time and effort used in the post-production process and incorporate it into the production process, such as adding VFX in realtime, as the action is being filmed. This is positive because it means that the actors can see the visual effects, rather than having to pretend, meaning their acting will look more realistic.
Weaknesses:
Although, this could be an issue too. As it is all happening live in realtime, it means that if there are any technical errors, or problems with the process/ visuals, this would affect the whole filming process, meaning that scenes would have to be reshot, etc.
Opportunities:
There are endless possibilities with this, as it can make films and television so much better, creating impossible scenes look real, and breaking the boundaries of virtual production. It also allows animation movies/ shorts to look even more realistic, by incorporating virtual production and real actors with the Unreal engine.
Threats:
There can be threats with using Unreal in this industry, due to the reputation of the film/ tv industry, the Unreal engine being associated with this popular industry, means that there are high expectations, and the engine needs to maintain the high level of quality/ standard which works for all of these areas, including film and television, which can be highly criticized by the media. This will result in a lot of pressure from Epic Games to make successful updates and stand out from competitors.
TRAINING & SIMULATION
“From creating critical training scenarios for the defense, medical, and aerospace industries, to using machine learning to advance autonomous vehicles, Unreal Engine is the free, open, proven framework for your simulation needs.”- Unreal
Cubic and UE4 create waves in the training and simulation community
Unreal is used in an educational way too, improving peoples learning methods to improve effectiveness…
Precision OS delivers accredited curriculum for orthopedic surgical training in VR
It is even used to improve the skills of medics, which can save lives, through Virtual Reality training.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
There are many strengths with using Unreal for training and education, for example, with medicine and doctors, using virtual training for trainees will benefit the healthcare, as they would have had more training, which is based off real patients/ scenarios, without the potential risk of harming an actual patient by making a mistake. This will improve the rate of successful surgeries/ diagnosis, as the medics will be highly trained.
Weaknesses:
Although there are weaknesses to this, as it is still virtual production and a digital illusion, it means that the outcome or situation may not act the same in real life, meaning that you might not receive the training required for an unexpected issue or mistake.
Opportunities:
There can be many opportunities with training in Unreal. By working with the gaming industry and virtual reality, it can allow soldiers to work on their skills, aim and reflexes which can create better soldiers, to fight in the army and protect the country.
Threats:
One threat of this, is that it is heavily relying on modern technology, which is very risky due to technical issues or internet/ performance issues, etc. Therefore, it could potentially jeopardize the whole operation.
From this, we can see there are endless possibilities within the Unreal engine, as it can be used in so many different ways. This software is so large and the results are remarkable, Unreal is constantly creating new ways to improve life and using their engine to do so, this means that the industry will always be expanding, resulting in a successful and powerful software and company. Unreal doesn’t just succeed alone, Epic Games/ Unreal have teamed up with many different companies, such as Quixel. I will continue to explore this in the following post.
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