Unreal Engine 5, the latest version of the popular game engine developed by Epic Games, has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry. Released in May 2021, Unreal Engine 5 brings a host of new features and improvements that will allow developers to create more realistic and immersive gaming experiences.
One of the most notable features of Unreal Engine 5 is its support for next-generation graphics. The engine uses a new technology called Nanite, which allows for the creation of highly detailed and realistic 3D models with minimal performance overhead.
In addition to improved graphics, Unreal Engine 5 also introduces a new audio system called Audiokinetic Wwise. This system allows for more realistic and dynamic audio in games, including support for 3D audio and the ability to manipulate audio in real-time.
Another major feature of Unreal Engine 5 is its support for real-time ray tracing, which allows for more realistic lighting and reflections in games. This technology has the potential to significantly improve the visual quality of games, and it could lead to the creation of more realistic and lifelike virtual worlds.
Almost two months ago on November 15th, the release of Unreal Engine 5.1 was announced which adds even more impressive features, most of which improve the experience for game developers. 5.1 improves the efficiency of working with virtual assets, which allows developers to sync only what they need from source control systems, and on-demand shader compilation, which only compiles the shaders needed to render what is on screen. It also includes improvements in performance and usability for in-camera visual effects workflows, as well as updates to the media handling system and virtual camera system. The release also includes new technology for dynamic global illumination and reflections, virtualized micro-polygon geometry, and virtual shadow maps. In addition, there are new features for building large open worlds and improvements to the process of preparing a game for shipping.
Most asked questions about Unreal Engine 5
What games are on UE5?
Unreal Engine 5 was released in May 2021, so it is still early in its lifecycle and there are not many games that have been released using it yet. Some of the games that have been announced as using Unreal Engine 5 include:
- Fortnite (epic Games)
- Hell is Us (Rouge Factor)
- The First Descendant (Bloober Team)
- Off the Grid (Gunzilla Games)
- Mortal Online 2 (Star Vault)
- Redfall (Arkane Studios)
- Ark 2 (Studio Wildcard)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
One game you can play for free right now is the Matrix Awakens for Xbox series X/S, it’s a short demo experience that offers a thrilling sneak peak into what UE5 can offer.
What PC specs do I need for Unreal Engine 5 games?
The PC requirements for playing Unreal Engine 5 games will depend on the specific game you are trying to play. The system requirements for each game will be different, and will depend on factors such as the graphics quality, resolution, and frame rate that the game is designed to run at, as well as the features and gameplay mechanics of the game.
To get an idea of the kind of hardware you might need to play Unreal Engine 5 games, you can look at the recommended system requirements for the Unreal Engine 5 Editor. These requirements are meant for developing games using Unreal Engine 5, so they should be higher than the requirements for playing the games. As a general rule, it is a good idea to have a system that exceeds the recommended requirements for the Unreal Engine 5 Editor if you want to play Unreal Engine 5 games at the highest possible settings.
Minimum specs:
- Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-7500 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290
- Storage: 50 GB available space
Recommended specs:
- Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700
- Storage: 50 GB available space
Overall, Unreal Engine 5 has the potential to change the way we play games by allowing developers to create more realistic and immersive experiences. From improved graphics and audio to more realistic lighting and reflections, Unreal Engine 5 is sure to have a major impact on the gaming industry.
