Russian game engine Unigine — an overview of 3D graphics technology

Contents:

• What is Unigine
• Technology aimed at the international market
• The release of a free version
• Technology development
• Support for other platforms
• Interaction with the community
• Cooperation with foreign partners in the new reality
• Thoughts on import substitution and cooperation with Russian companies

Unigine is a powerful game engine designed for creating 3D graphics, developed by the company of the same name from Tomsk. In previous articles, we briefly mentioned this technology in the context of shareware engines, comparing it to competitors such as CryEngine, Unity, and Unreal Engine. However, in light of recent news about government support for the creation of a domestic engine, the editorial team of Skillbox Media's Gamedev decided to take a closer look at Unigine. This engine is already available to developers and offers unique opportunities for creating high-quality games and applications.

We interviewed Denis Shergin, CEO and founder of Unigine, to learn more about the Unigine engine, its functionality and future development.

In this article, you will get information about:

• what is Unigine;
• a brief history of the technology;
• about the free Community version;
• why there are no courses on Unigine;
• about versions for Linux and consoles;
• about relations with international partners;
• Denis Shergin's opinion on the news about the new Russian engine;
• what improvements should be expected from Unigine in the future.

What is Unigine

Unigine is a multi-platform 3D engine primarily used for developing non-game projects. Many of these projects are under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Developments using Unigine include visualizations, simulators, and VR applications, which are widely used in fields such as aerospace, aviation, shipping, and oil, gas, and mining. The engine also finds application in architecture, geographic information systems (GIS), and urban planning. Unigine offers high-quality graphics and realistic physics, making it an ideal tool for professionals in a variety of fields.

The technology is also renowned for its graphics card benchmarks. The latest, Superposition 2017, includes support for virtual reality (VR). Although there are game projects created using this engine, their number is significantly lower compared to other engines.

Image: Unigine

Unigine is a powerful platform for creating 3D graphics and visualization. This engine is widely used in various fields, including gaming technology, architectural projects, simulations, and virtual reality. Unigine offers high performance, realistic lighting, and detailed textures, making it an ideal choice for developers seeking to create high-quality content.

With Unigine, developers can create interactive and immersive environments that are sure to capture the attention of users. The platform supports various operating systems and devices, providing flexibility and accessibility to a wide audience. Unigine also offers performance optimization and resource management tools to maximize development efficiency. Using Unigine in projects enables a high level of realism and immersion, which is especially important in modern apps and games. The platform is actively updated, providing developers with new features and improvements, making it a relevant choice for creating high-quality content. In 2020, Unigine introduced a free version of its software, the Unigine 2 Community SDK. This tool is designed for educational and non-commercial development. However, commercial use is limited: the SDK is only permitted in cases where revenue or funding does not exceed $100,000 over the past 12 months. It is important to note that there are a number of industries in which the use of the Community SDK is prohibited. These industries include defense, electric power, gambling, and oil, gas, and mineral extraction.

Technology Focused on the International Market

Unigine is not only the name of a cutting-edge technology, but also of a company founded by Denis Shergin and Alexander Zapryagaev. Denis's interest in 3D and VR technologies arose in the late 1990s, after the launch of the Forte VFX1 device. However, at that time, virtual reality technologies were not widely adopted due to limited computing power and the insufficient ability to reproduce high-quality stereo images in real time at an acceptable frame rate. Today, Unigine is a powerful solution for developing interactive 3D applications and simulations, widely used in various industries, from gaming technology to architectural visualization.

Denis soon moved into web technologies, but returned to 3D in the early 2000s. Together with his partner, Alexander Zapryagaev, who was developing technology demos at the time, they began promoting these demos as open-source software. In 2004, based on these developments, they began creating a new game engine, which became the basis for many projects in the video game industry.

At that time, the gaming industry was not monopolized, and many unique technologies existed. For example, the now-forgotten GameBryo Element engine became the basis for such games as Fallout: New Vegas, Sid Meier's Civilization 4, Divinity 2: Ego Draconis, and Rocksmith. Most game engines of the period were variations on the id Tech theme. Its early 2000s rival, Unreal Engine 2, also impressed with its capabilities, while the release of Unreal Engine 3, which promised to significantly expand the boundaries of graphics and gameplay, was already on the horizon.

At the same time, Unity Technologies began developing Unity, a technology few knew existed at the time. In 2005, almost simultaneously with Unity's launch, the commercial Unigine engine was released in English. From the very beginning of its existence, the developers from the Tomsk company aimed mainly at the international market, paying special attention to clients from Europe and Asia.

If opportunities allow, it is worthwhile to immediately focus on the global market, without the need to develop complex two-stage strategies. For example, you shouldn't first test yourself in a local market and then go global. It's better to start with the global market straight away. Unigine was initially introduced as a commercially licensed game engine. I admit, we only had a superficial understanding that real-time technologies could be applied beyond the gaming industry. We didn't consider the non-gaming segment and didn't have a clear idea of ​​its capabilities at the time.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant success in developing technologies for creating high-quality 3D simulations and visualizations. Denis is actively involved in innovation in the fields of computer graphics and virtual reality, which allows Unigine to remain at the forefront of the industry. His experience and vision contribute to the development of effective solutions for various sectors, including gaming, architecture, and educational technology. Under his leadership, Unigine continues to expand its horizons, implementing cutting-edge approaches and technologies.

Of course, I am available to help you with text editing. Please provide the text you wish to change, and I will make the necessary adjustments.

The list of games developed with the Unigine engine includes a variety of projects that demonstrate the capabilities of this technology. Unigine provides developers with powerful tools for creating realistic 3D worlds, allowing them to create both games and simulations. Notable Unigine projects include OilRush, a real-time strategy game, and Skyforge, a multiplayer role-playing game. The engine is also used in educational and corporate simulations. Unigine boasts high performance and high-quality graphics, making it a popular choice among developers. If you're looking for inspiration or want to learn more about projects built with this engine, check out the full list of games built with Unigine.

• Syndicates of Arkon — MMORPG from 2010.
• Petshop — quest from 2011.
• Oil Rush — real-time strategy from 2012.
• Demolicious — action from 2012.
• Cradle — quest from 2015.
• Tryst — real-time strategy from 2015.
• RF-X — flight simulator from 2016.
• Sumoman — action puzzle from 2017.
• Dual Universe — MMORPG from 2021.

The first orders for Unigine began to come from abroad, but soon domestic clients also showed interest in the platform. Several years after the engine's release, the team realized the demand for non-gaming projects, leading to an increase in the number of customers in this field. Unigine is currently actively used in such fields as aerospace, aviation, shipping, ground transportation, architecture and urban planning, and other industries. The technology proved its worth from the first year, and the company continues to operate thanks to license sales. Unigine continues to evolve, confirming its relevance across a variety of application areas.

In 2019, our company raised a small investment from LETA Capital, which at that time was already our partner. This support proved especially important given the decline in demand during the pandemic. However, initially, we had no outside investors. We invested our own knowledge, energy, and experience in developing our business, which allowed us to successfully address market challenges.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant success in developing high-quality solutions for creating 3D content and virtual worlds. Unigine provides powerful tools for game and simulation developers, and actively implements technologies in virtual reality and architectural visualization. Denis's professionalism and approach to business contribute to the company's innovation and growth in the global market.

The Release of a Free Version

For a long time, the studio provided the Unigine engine exclusively under a commercial license, targeting corporate clients. While working with the technology, specialists involved in non-gaming projects became the core of the Unigine community. Over time, the developers realized that, despite regular updates and new features, the engine's user base remained low. This lack of popularity compared to other well-known game engines could negatively impact future demand. In response to this situation, the team decided to create a free Community version of Unigine, the development of which took about two years. The introduction of this version should significantly expand the audience and increase interest in Unigine technologies among developers.

The Community version was designed with users who previously used other game engines in mind, ensuring an easy and intuitive transition. The editor supports standard file formats, including .fbx, allowing for quick asset import. In addition to C++ and UnigineScript, the Community version now also includes C# support, which will be useful for developers migrating from Unity.

We recognize the importance of addressing a number of issues so that users can confidently decide to migrate to the Unigine platform. Our team is consistently working to eliminate all possible doubts and improve functionality, which makes the transition to Unigine more attractive and justified.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine, a company known for its innovations in the development of technologies for creating high-quality 3D visualization and simulation. Under his leadership, Unigine has significantly expanded its horizons, offering solutions for various industries, including gaming technology, architectural visualization, and training. Denis actively contributes to the company's development, implementing advanced methods and approaches, making Unigine a leader in its field.

The Unigine client is distinguished by its compact size, taking up only 6.5-7 GB of hard drive space, which is significantly smaller than more popular editors such as Unreal Engine. While Unreal Engine offers more tools, which increases the client's size, the Unigine developers focus on optimization, readability, and code consistency. This makes Unigine an attractive choice for developers seeking efficient resource use and a simplified development process.

Code optimization, allowing operations to be performed in fewer lines, significantly simplifies maintenance and readability. This also facilitates the bug fixing process, which in turn increases the team's efficiency. This is why our SDK is compact, making it more convenient for developers.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine. Under his leadership, Unigine has achieved significant success in developing technologies for creating interactive 3D applications and virtual worlds. Denis actively promotes innovative solutions in visualization and simulation, allowing the company to maintain a leading position in the market. His experience and knowledge of software contribute to the development of Unigine and strengthen its reputation among customers and partners.

The release of the free Community version attracted a large number of new users. Some tested the functionality and returned to their familiar software, but many stayed and continued exploring the engine's capabilities. These users are currently creating their own projects on the Unigine platform and actively helping newcomers master it. This community not only facilitates the exchange of experience but also contributes to the development of the Unigine ecosystem, making the platform even more attractive to developers.

Technology Development

The Unigine game engine recently launched its own asset platform, which will be developed in stages. Currently, only Unigine assets are available. The developers promise that by the end of this year, users will be able to upload and sell their own assets, similar to marketplaces for other engines and software. Additionally, active negotiations are underway with major content pack developers who are interested in hosting their 3D scan libraries on the Unigine platform. This will create new opportunities for developers and users, expanding the choice of available content and promoting the development of the community around the engine.

Despite constant updates and improvements, accessibility The technology remains limited. To create projects, users must have at least basic knowledge of C++ or C#. The team is currently working on developing its own visual programming system. This system will allow people without technical skills to evaluate the engine's capabilities and, thus, expand Unigine's audience.

All interested users can read the official documentation and watch a series of video tutorials provided by the technology's developers. However, Denis emphasizes that the current training materials are not clearly structured, which can be difficult for beginners. Typically, these materials cover topics more suitable for experienced users. The company is currently working on creating new guides and is open to collaboration with educational platforms and institutions.

We often receive requests from representatives of online schools and universities interested in developing Unigine courses for beginners. Although we support such initiatives, many of them do not progress to implementation. Some organizations face a shortage of qualified specialists, others a lack of enthusiasm. One thing is clear: there is a demand for educational materials that can be used in teaching. In response to this request, we decided to take action and are now actively working on creating a Unigine tutorial. This will not only simplify the learning process but also improve the quality of the courses.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine, a company known for its cutting-edge solutions in the field of virtual reality and 3D simulation development. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant success, implementing innovative approaches to creating high-quality software. Denis is actively involved in shaping the strategies that allow Unigine to remain at the forefront of technology and meet the needs of customers around the world.

The SDK includes a variety of technology demos with source code and assets. This allows users to become familiar with the build process and explore new solutions for their projects. With these resources, developers can speed up the process of creating and optimizing their applications, as well as gain inspiration for ideas for implementing innovative features.

Denis believes that developing a game engine without practical application in application development is a serious mistake. This technology becomes somewhat "synthetic," as developers lack insight into the production process and are unaware of the challenges users face. Therefore, the company's team actively uses its engine in various projects. Specifically, a new game has been in development for over a year. Details about the project are being kept under wraps, but it is known to be a paid product targeting next-generation consoles—the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The game is expected to be quite large-scale and already has a publisher. Importantly, developer involvement in game creation improves the quality of the final product and enhances its competitiveness in the marketplace.

Game development will bring significant benefits. During the process, we will be able to test new game engine features, optimize workflows, and improve overall performance. Many technical advances made during the game's development will be incorporated into the engine itself, improving its functionality and capabilities in future projects.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine, a company known for developing high-quality technologies for creating 3D visualizations and virtual worlds. Under his leadership, Unigine has achieved significant success in the fields of gaming, architectural visualization, and simulation software. Denis's experience and knowledge in technology contribute to the company's ongoing development and innovation, strengthening Unigine's market position and attracting the attention of customers worldwide.

Support for Other Platforms

There are not many engines that run on Linux, but Unigine actively supports this operating system. Denis emphasizes that Linux gaming remains a niche segment: interest from developers is limited, and the target audience for this OS does not show significant interest in gaming. Nevertheless, Linux is in high demand in the professional sphere, especially among clients with cloud solutions. Therefore, it is important for Unigine to continue supporting this platform.

When game developers are faced with the question of porting their products to Linux, it is important to consider that the share Linux users account for only 1-2% of PC gamers. Although their numbers have increased slightly recently, they remain a small portion of the audience. The activity of these users creates the illusion of high demand for Linux games, but this is not the case in reality. Furthermore, demand is affected by technical limitations: there is no DirectX support, and available graphics APIs, such as OpenGL and Vulkan, are not always prioritized by driver developers. As a result, games and applications created for Linux may exhibit lower performance compared to their Windows counterparts, since Windows video drivers and DirectX support significantly outperform OpenGL drivers.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine. Under his leadership, the company has established itself as a leading developer of technologies for creating high-quality 3D graphics and virtual worlds. Unigine is active in the fields of gaming and simulation software, providing innovative solutions for various industries. Denis Shergin is actively involved in industry development and the implementation of advanced technologies, which contributes to the company's growth and strengthening its market position. Console support is still in development. The Unigine team is confident that this functionality is not yet ready for a wide audience. Additionally, several organizational issues need to be resolved with platform owners, as Microsoft and Sony have their own requirements for new game engines. This process differs from the stages a developer goes through when preparing a console version of a game. Developers will likely be able to create console games on the Unigine platform beginning early next year. However, development of such games is already available. There are no significant differences in the development process for PC and console, but there are certain peculiarities associated with using the SDK. For example, the DualShock controller on the PS5 requires a specific API, and the Xbox also has its own peculiarities. However, a game with basic technical modules can first be developed for PC and then adapted and launched on a console. Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine. He actively leads the development of the company, which specializes in creating high-quality 3D engines and visualization technologies. Under his leadership, Unigine has achieved significant success in developing software for various industries, including games, architecture, and simulation. Denis Shergin has extensive experience in technology and management, which allows the company to remain competitive in the market.

Community Interaction

Unigine actively supports its community, organizing online events and hackathons, as well as offsite events. At the end of July 2022, the team held Unigine Open Air in Tomsk. This event brought together not only active community members but also interested industry professionals, with whom Unigine representatives regularly meet at various events. Such initiatives help strengthen ties within the community and expand opportunities for the exchange of experiences and ideas among participants.

The Unigine community is represented all over the world, which makes it difficult to organize large-scale offline events. Currently, users are more active online. If you'd like to become part of the Unigine community, join our Discord server.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine, a company known for its innovations in software development and visualization technologies. Under his leadership, Unigine has achieved significant success, offering powerful solutions for industries such as gaming, architecture, and virtual reality. Denis actively contributes to the company's strategy, striving for continuous improvement of its products and services. His experience and vision help Unigine remain at the forefront of technological advancements, attracting the attention of both customers and partners around the world.

Unigine currently has no plans to hold competitions or grants for indie developers. In the future, if funding is available, the company may consider offering developers compensation for using its tools, similar to what Epic Games does. Unigine is currently focused on developing technologies that are available for both free and commercial use.

Collaboration with International Partners in the New Reality

The company has several representative offices in various countries and has served over 250 clients since 2005. The current global situation has impacted relationships with some partners, requiring adaptation and revision of engagement strategies.

Denis emphasizes that such cases remain the exception. While tensions do exist, regular clients continue to collaborate with the developers, and new interested buyers are also appearing on the horizon. If a company offers solutions that benefit businesses, customers will definitely find ways to acquire its technology and establish further partnerships.

In our public positioning Several questions have arisen. We have decided to remove references to the Russian office from the English-language version of the website to avoid any negative reactions from users who may be concerned about this information. Our company strives to maintain a neutral position. Unigine is a commercial organization focused on creating high-tech products. Our solutions enable complex and engaging projects, which underscores our professionalism and innovative approach.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant success in developing cutting-edge technologies for creating virtual worlds and interactive content. Unigine is known for its innovative solutions that find application in various industries, including gaming, architecture, and simulation. Denis actively promotes the importance of integrating modern technologies into business processes, which allows the company's clients to achieve new heights in their projects.

Unigine actively collaborates with clients from China, and the current geopolitical situation may facilitate the attraction of new clients from this country. The interest of Chinese companies in technologies developed outside the US may also become an additional factor for Unigine to expand its presence in the Chinese market. Denis has not yet seen a significant increase in demand among Chinese clients, but does not rule out that the situation may change in the future, opening up new business opportunities.

Thoughts on Import Substitution and Cooperation with Russian Companies

In recent years, the media has actively discussed the issue of the government's interest in developing its own technologies. This desire is explained by the fact that it is more profitable and safer for Russian companies, especially those working with government contracts, to use domestic solutions. In the absence of such technologies, it is necessary to develop new ones to avoid dependence on external suppliers and minimize the risks associated with a technological blockade. The development of domestic technologies contributes to strengthening national security and economic independence of the country.

Discussions on the development of a new game engine have been ongoing for a long time, with large state-owned corporations taking the initiative. For those closely following the gaming industry, such steps may seem unusual, given the existence of an existing solution on the Russian market—Unigine. The editors have reached out to Denis for comment on this matter.

Of course, I'm ready to help with text editing. Please provide the source text you wish to revise.

Globally, the history of corporate structure development around the world has similar features, regardless of region. Large, bureaucratic companies have certain advantages, but they are not always capable of creating breakthrough technologies. Therefore, many of them outsource certain tasks to specialized mobile studios that can effectively implement complex projects. This model of interaction could theoretically be successful. However, would we agree to become such contractors? Most likely not.

We are not interested in participating in projects for several reasons. Our company focuses on technology development and offers licenses for them for a fixed price. These licenses will allow you to implement your own projects based on our technology. If you require a customized approach, such as adding specific functionality, we are ready to discuss this for a reasonable price. We do not consider grants or government subsidies, as this does not align with our business model and future plans. Our principle is to create a product, offer commercial licenses for it, and reinvest the proceeds into its further development and improvement.

Denis Shergin is the CEO of Unigine. He has held this position since the company's founding and is actively involved in the development of innovative technologies in 3D visualization and virtual reality. Under his leadership, Unigine has established itself as a leader in its industry, offering high-quality solutions for a variety of businesses and sectors. Shergin actively promotes the idea of ​​integrating advanced technologies into everyday life, which contributes to the development of new directions in the field of computer graphics and the gaming industry.

Unigine's collaboration model also includes Russian companies. The company's technology is often licensed to state-owned enterprises. A prime example is the 3D visualization project for Moscow, implemented by the Mosgorgeotrest State Budgetary Institution. Deals with state organizations have special requirements, including the availability of Russian software as a key procurement condition. In this regard, the Unigine SDK is registered in the register of domestic software, which confirms compliance with all necessary standards and requirements.