# Unreal Engine
**Wikidata**: [Q608276](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q608276)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreal_Engine)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/unreal-engine

## Summary
Unreal Engine is a powerful, open-source game engine developed by Epic Games, widely used for creating high-quality video games, simulations, and interactive 3D content. Originally released in 1996, it powers major titles like Fortnite and Gears of War and supports platforms including Windows, macOS, and consoles. The latest stable version is Unreal Engine 5.5, released in November 2024.

## Key Facts
- First released in 1996 by Epic Games.
- Current stable version: Unreal Engine 5.5 (released November 12, 2024).
- Open-source under the MIT License; source code available on GitHub.
- Supports multiple platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android.
- Written primarily in C++ and uses Blueprints visual scripting.
- Competes directly with Unity and Blender in game development and real-time 3D creation.
- Used to develop blockbuster games such as Fortnite, Gears of War, and Rocket League.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Unreal Engine used for?
A: Unreal Engine is used to create video games, architectural visualizations, film and television content, simulations, and virtual reality experiences. It is especially known for enabling photorealistic graphics and large-scale environments.

### Q: Is Unreal Engine free to use?
A: Yes, Unreal Engine is free to download and use. Developers pay a 5% royalty to Epic Games only after their product earns over $1 million in revenue.

### Q: How does Unreal Engine compare to Unity?
A: While both are popular game engines, Unreal Engine excels in high-end graphics and large-scale environments using C++ and Blueprints, whereas Unity is often preferred for mobile and 2D games due to its simpler learning curve and broader cross-platform support.

## Why It Matters
Unreal Engine revolutionized real-time 3D rendering and became one of the industry standards for AAA game development. Its advanced features like Nanite virtualized geometry and Lumen global illumination in Unreal Engine 5 allow creators to build cinematic-quality experiences in real time. Beyond gaming, Unreal Engine is increasingly adopted in architecture, film production, and training simulations, making it a versatile tool across creative industries. Its open-source model and royalty-based monetization have also made it accessible to indie developers while still powering some of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world.

## Notable For
- Pioneering real-time dynamic lighting and physics in early 3D games.
- Being the engine behind Fortnite, one of the highest-grossing games of all time.
- Introducing cutting-edge technologies like Nanite and Lumen in Unreal Engine 5.
- Offering full source code access under an open-source license.
- Supporting cross-platform deployment across PC, console, mobile, VR, and AR.

## Body
### Overview
Unreal Engine is a comprehensive suite of real-time 3D creation tools developed by Epic Games. Designed for scalability and performance, it serves professionals in game development, filmmaking, architecture, automotive design, and more.

### History
- **Initial Release**: Unreal Engine was first launched in 1996 alongside the game *Unreal*.
- **Evolution**:
  - Unreal Engine 1 introduced robust 3D rendering and modularity.
  - Unreal Engine 3 powered many iconic games including *Gears of War* and *Mass Effect*.
  - Unreal Engine 4 (released in 2014) brought Blueprint visual scripting and enhanced usability.
  - Unreal Engine 5 debuted in 2021 with revolutionary systems like Nanite and Lumen, enabling cinematic-quality visuals in real time.

### Features & Capabilities
- **Blueprint Visual Scripting**: Allows non-programmers to create gameplay logic visually.
- **C++ Support**: Offers low-level control for experienced developers.
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
- **Real-Time Rendering Tools**:
  - **Nanite**: Enables rendering of highly detailed assets without traditional polygon limits.
  - **Lumen**: Provides fully dynamic global illumination for realistic lighting scenarios.
- **Open Source Licensing**: Available under the MIT License via GitHub at [https://github.com/EpicGames/UnrealEngine](https://github.com/EpicGames/UnrealEngine).

### Versions and Releases
| Version | Stable Release Date |
|---------|---------------------|
| 4.26    | December 3, 2020     |
| 4.26.1  | February 2, 2021     |
| 5.0.3   | July 12, 2022        |
| 5.1     | November 15, 2022    |
| 5.2     | January 2, 2023      |
| 5.3     | September 6, 2023    |
| 5.4     | April 23, 2024       |
| 5.5     | November 12, 2024    |

### Community and Ecosystem
- Active community presence on Reddit (`r/unrealengine`), Discord, Twitch, YouTube, and forums.
- Extensive marketplace offering thousands of assets, plugins, and tutorials.
- Social media following includes over 1.25 million subscribers on YouTube and 561k followers on Twitter/X as of early 2023.

### Competitors
- **Unity**: A direct competitor focused on ease-of-use and mobile development.
- **Blender**: An open-source alternative strong in 3D modeling and animation but less specialized for real-time applications.
- **Pygame**: A lightweight Python-based framework suitable for simple 2D games and educational projects.

### Licensing and Monetization
- Free to download and use.
- Royalty model: 5% fee applied only when lifetime gross revenue exceeds $1 million per project.
- Commercially successful titles built with Unreal include *Fortnite*, *PUBG*, and *Borderlands 3*.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. [Source](https://forums.unrealengine.com/unreal-engine/announcements-and-releases/1838621-unreal-engine-4-26-released)
3. [Source](https://docs.unrealengine.com/en-US/WhatsNew/Builds/index.html)
4. [Source](https://forums.unrealengine.com/unreal-engine/announcements-and-releases/1858635-4-26-1-hotfix-released)
5. [Source](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/5-0-3-hotfix-released/603149)
6. [Source](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-5-1-is-now-available)
7. [Source](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-can-i-download-ue-5-2/740687)
8. [Source](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-5-3-is-now-available)
9. [Source](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-5-4-is-now-available)
10. [Source](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-5-5-is-now-available)
11. [Source](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/news/unreal-engine-5-7-is-now-available)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Alexa Internet](https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/unrealengine.com)
14. [Source](https://www.unrealengine.com)
15. Quora
16. [Unreal Engine](https://www.reddit.com/r/unrealengine/)
17. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Unreal_Engine-95MYK)
18. National Library of Israel
19. YouTube API