Unity Game Dev Software Now Free!

[Kripto]

Greetings All,

 

Just thought all the game devs here would be interested in knowing that the excellent 3D/2D cross-platform game developing software unity has now become free (used to be $200 about 24 hours ago...)

 

I've been using it for about two years now and love it. The editor runs on either Mac or PC and it can export standalone applications for either.

 

You can grab it for free at

 

http://unity3d.com/

 

EDIT- YOU MUST REGISTER IT UNDER THE UNITY MENU AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN. THIS IS NOT A DEMO.

Edited October 29, 2009 by Kripto

[DaveD]

Free 30-day trial.

[Kripto]

No No no. Is Truly free. As of yesterday. just register it.

 

Here's the news story

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS217443+28-Oct-2009+PRN20091028

[DaveD]

Hmmmm...you're right. I just downloaded and registered. Have you or anyone here used Unity? A couple of the guys at work use it to create interactive walkthrough of 3D exhibits and displays we design and build. I've looked into Unity in the past but it just looks so intimidating. I may actually look into it now though.

[Kripto]

Hmmmm...you're right. I just downloaded and registered. Have you or anyone here used Unity? A couple of the guys at work use it to create interactive walkthrough of 3D exhibits and displays we design and build. I've looked into Unity in the past but it just looks so intimidating. I may actually look into it now though.

 

 

It's actually my main dev tool right now and it's pretty amazing. Its primary language is a mutated version of Javascript but you can also code in C# or Boo. Games can be released and sold(!) as standalone apps for Mac or PC. (optional support for iPhone, Wii and soon XBox 360)

 

It does not do asset creation however, so you should be handy with PhotoShop, audio editing, and a 3D app of your choosing (Maya is the most compatible but many are used.)

 

The user community is second to none and filled with helpful people. If you want to make 3D games, I can think of no better option, and it's effin' free...

[DaveD]

I'm all about asset creation. I work daily with the Adobe stuff and Cinema 4D for 3D modeling and rendering. That's partly why I've always seen Unity as intimidating. Concentrating on the creative really is a full-time gig. I haven't done any programming for almost 25 years since I unplugged my Commodore 64 for the last time. Every now and then I get the bug to add some interactivity to my creative and I've searched for easy programming tools that might allow that. I've been told Unity is easy but that's mostly coming from programmers. I have no doubt it's easier than "real" programming but still quite complex to wrap your mind around when coming from an "asset creation" standpoint.

 

But free is free. I may start to look into it and dabble a bit. I guess it won't cost me anything but time.

[yuppicide]

Pretty cool looking. I tried to play one of the web games, but there's no way I want to install some unity player.

 

Is there any easy solution to making something for the iPhone?

[Kripto]

Pretty cool looking. I tried to play one of the web games, but there's no way I want to install some unity player.

 

Is there any easy solution to making something for the iPhone?

 

That's what I'm doing right now and my response to your question is- "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.... eh, NO."

 

I don't mean to be rude but iPhone development even using Unity from a cold start would probably take over a year of concentrated effort. There are many hoops to jump through and device particular issues. My favorite part though is that you at least know the basic capabilities of your target platform, unlike developing for desktops.

 

The web aspect of Unity is very cool but I would suggest most people would have fun making standalone apps for Mac and PC.

[newcoleco]

I've heard of Unity 3D months ago, I wanted to give it a try but I was afraid of not being able to do something constructive during the 30 days trial period. Well, if it's really free this time, even if it's under registration condition, I'll give it a try. Thanks for sharing this!