Unity vs. Unreal: Picking the Right Game Engine

Are you a game developer? Then you probably know that choosing the right game engine is one of the most important decisions when creating your next masterpiece. There are many options to consider, but the main players in the industry are Unity and Unreal.

In 2005, Unity launched its product to the public. In 2014, Epic Games released Unreal Engine 4. Since those two milestones, the debate over Unity vs. Unreal has only grown. Both engines are incredibly powerful and popular in the industry, but each has its features, advantages, and disadvantages.

Beyond their differences, one thing connects them: mastering either has become essential for landing a job in the video game industry.

What is a game engine?

A game engine is a suite of tools and programming libraries that allow developers to create, design, and program video games more efficiently and effectively. This typically includes a game loop or, at the very least, a 2D or 3D rendering engine. Its main features include:

• Graphics: Provides tools for rendering 2D and 3D graphics, enabling the creation of visually impressive worlds and characters.

• Physics: Simulates realistic behavior of objects and characters, such as collisions, gravity, and movement.

• Animation: Facilitates the creation of animations for characters and objects, adding life and realism to the game.

• Artificial Intelligence: Offers tools to program the behavior of non-playable characters and enemies, creating challenges for players.

• Sound: Integrates sound effects and music to enhance the player's experience.

• Asset Management: Helps manage assets like images, 3D models, and sounds for efficient project organization.

Unity vs. Unreal: The Engine Wars

If you’re about to start a new project and aren’t familiar with these engines—or if you’re thinking about switching but aren’t sure yet—then pay close attention to what follows.

Unity: Accessible and Versatile

Unity has earned a solid reputation as one of the most accessible and versatile engines in the video game industry. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. One of its main advantages is that it’s cross-platform, allowing developers to create projects for desktops, mobile devices, consoles, and virtual reality platforms.

It works for both 3D and 2D games. Developers of almost any experience level can use Unity with ease, which is why it’s often considered the best game engine for beginners. Some best-known Unity games include Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, Cuphead, and Pokémon GO.

Unreal: The Standard of Excellence

Unreal Engine is a game development tool focused on providing developers with the ability to build simulations, edit video and sound, and render animations—all in one platform. The latest version, Unreal Engine 5, debuted in 2022 with standout features like Lumen and Nanite.

Unreal Engine has become the go-to option for many high-end game studios, powering some of the most well-known and prestigious games in the industry such as Fortnite, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Tetris Effect, and Gears 5.

Unity or Unreal Engine: Which One and Why

The first absolute truth is that choosing between Unity and Unreal Engine depends on your goals and experience level. Of course, other reasons might tip the scale one way or the other. One of the first that comes to mind is that Unity is free—but Unreal is too, up to a point.

Perhaps the most notable advantage of using Unity is its ease of use. That’s why many beginners—and even experienced teams at software development companies—choose it as their preferred engine. It uses C#, one of the simplest programming languages to learn. It also has an intuitive interface and a straightforward architecture.

Since 2020, Unity has included the Bolt visual scripting tool in all plans at no extra cost, making it easier to use. It allows users to avoid programming as much as possible. If you want to create a quick prototype for a pitch, Unity could be the best option. Another important reason to choose it is its cross-platform nature and its excellent performance in 2D game development.

Now, moving on to Unreal Engine, this option is still considered the go-to engine for AAA games. It is the choice of studios creating visually stunning games, some recognized for their photorealistic quality. The essence of Unreal lies in its graphical quality, and that’s the main reason many developers trust it completely.

Regarding accessibility, there’s no denying that Unreal is more complex. Its architecture is different, and C++ is not the easiest programming language. However, the community, asset store, and documentation are all top-notch. So it’s really up to you when it comes to choosing.

Learning Curve: Which One is Easier to Learn?

We’ve already given you some clues, but it’s important to understand what makes each engine easier or harder to learn. Keep this in mind: how easy it is to learn a game engine is one of the most important factors to consider if you’re interested in game development.

Unity: Ideal for Beginners

Unity is seen as the easiest engine for beginners to learn. That’s due to its user-friendly interface and focus on simplicity. Its main programming language is C#, which is relatively easy to pick up if you have prior experience with languages like Java or Python.

Unity also has extensive documentation and online tutorials to help you learn at your own pace. Another learning aid is the Asset Store. In it, you can buy or download all kinds of assets—from scripts to 3D models. This lets you prototype your games quickly without starting from scratch.

Unreal Engine: Power for Advanced Users

Unreal Engine, on the other hand, is a more complex engine. But it also offers more power and flexibility for experienced developers. The main difference here is that Unreal uses the programming language C++. It’s more complicated, but also extremely powerful.

However, Blueprints—Unreal Engine’s visual scripting system—makes things easier for those not comfortable with C++. With Blueprints, you can drag and drop visual nodes to create game logic without writing code. This is a great option for artists or designers who want to build games without becoming expert programmers.

Avalith: The Perfect Partner for Your Next Game

The choice comes down to who you are and what you need—whether you’re a developer or a company focused on game creation. Whatever the case, at Avalith we’re ready to help you take that next step and turn your project into reality.

If you’re looking for a partner who can provide top-tier IT talent to build an outsourced team, we have the right professionals for the job. As a custom software development company, Avalith offers the flexibility and expertise needed to support your game’s growth from idea to launch. Thanks to our staffing solutions, we can connect you with the developers your next game needs.

On the other hand, if you’re a developer and want to join a network where you can work with top IT companies from the comfort of your home—get in touch! Together we can create the opportunities you need and take your professional career to the next level.