REDengine
| REDEngine 3 | |
| Original author(s) | Tomek Wójcik Bartek Wroński Balázs Török |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | CD Projekt RED |
| Development status | Active |
| Platform | Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 |
| Type | Game engine |
| Website | cdpred |
REDengine is a game engine developed independently by CD Projekt RED.[1] It was designed exclusively for use in CD Projekt RED's nonlinear, role-playing video games.
Features
REDengine is portable across 32- and 64-bit software platforms and currently runs under Microsoft Windows, although the most recent update — referred to as "REDengine 3" — was designed exclusively for a 64-bit software platform.[1] REDengine was first used in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for Microsoft Windows.[2] REDengine 2, an updated version of REDengine used in The Witcher 2,[1] also runs under Xbox 360[3] and both OS X[4] and Linux, however these ports were made using a compatibility layer similar to Wine called eON. REDengine 3, the 64-bit updated version (see REDengine 3 discussed below), also runs under PlayStation 4[5] and Xbox One.
REDengine allows video game developers to create a complex, nonlinear story line that previous game engines could not create except by constraining the game world.[1] Prior to the creation of REDengine, RPG developers relied upon game engines which force trade-offs during development.[1] With older game engines, developers could have created, on one hand, a vast open world at the expense of telling a simplified linear story or, on the other hand, a complex nonlinear story at the expense of creating a limited virtual world.[1]
Versions
REDengine 2
For REDengine 2, middleware like Havok was used for physics, Scaleform GFx for UI or FMOD for audio.[6] The engine was used for the Xbox 360 port of The Witcher 2.[7]
REDengine 3
Recently CD Projekt RED improved upon the original version of REDengine, appropriately named "REDengine 3". Designed to run exclusively on a 64-bit software platform, CD Projekt RED created REDengine 3 for the purpose of developing open world[1] video game environments, such as those of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[1] and Cyberpunk 2077.[1]
REDengine 3 utilizes the 64-bit precision of modern personal computing, allowing for better quality computer graphics via high dynamic range rendering.[1] Furthermore, it introduces improvements to facial as well as other animation.[1] Lighting effects no longer suffer from reduced contrast ratio.[1] REDengine 3 also supports volumetric effects enabling advanced rendering of clouds, mist, fog, smoke and other such particle effects. Also enabled are advanced ultra-high resolution textures and mapping, as well as dynamic physics and advanced dialogue mimic system.
REDengine 3 has a flexible renderer prepared for deferred or forward+ rendering pipelines.[1] The result is a wide array of cinematic effects, including bokeh depth-of-view, color grading and flares associated with multiple lighting.[1]
The terrain system in REDengine 3 uses tessellation and layers varying material, which can then be easily blended.[1]
Games using REDengine
| Title | Year | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|
| REDengine 1 | ||
| The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings | 2011 | Microsoft Windows, OS X |
| REDengine 2 | ||
| The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition | 2012 | Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, OS X, Linux |
| REDengine 3 | ||
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 2015 | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | TBA | Microsoft Windows |
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-making-of-the-witcher-2
- ↑ http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/01/cd-projekt-red-introduces-redengine-3-latest-iteration-of-in-ho/
