When it comes to choosing between two popular game engines, developers often find themselves torn between Unity and Unreal Engine.
While both engines have their strengths and weaknesses, one of the most common questions asked by developers is: which one is cheaper? In this article, we will compare and analyze the costs associated with using Unity and Unreal Engine to help you make an informed decision about which engine is right for your project.
Introduction
Before we dive into the specifics of each engine’s cost structure, it’s important to understand what factors influence the total cost of a game development project. These factors can include the size and complexity of the project, the level of expertise required to develop it, the number of developers involved in the project, and the duration of the project.
Unity Costs
License Costs
The cost of Unity licenses varies depending on the version of the engine and the number of users. The personal edition is free to use for personal projects, while the professional edition costs $49 per month per user (or $249 per year). If you need a larger team to work on your project, Unity’s enterprise edition offers additional features and support, but comes with a higher cost.
Development Costs
The development cost of a game built with Unity can vary widely depending on the scope of the project. On average, a small-to-medium-sized game can be developed in 3-6 months by a team of 2-4 developers. The development cost for this type of project can range from $50,000 to $100,000 or more.
Asset Costs
Unity has a vast library of pre-made assets that can save developers time and money by providing ready-to-use tools and resources. The cost of these assets varies widely depending on the type of asset and the source, but many are available for free or at a low cost. Some popular asset stores for Unity include the Unity Asset Store, TurboSquid, and Creative Marketplace.
Maintenance Costs
The maintenance cost of a game built with Unity can vary depending on the size of the development team and the frequency of updates. On average, developers can expect to spend 10-20% of the development cost on maintenance annually.
Unreal Engine Costs
License Costs
Unreal Engine has a similar licensing model to Unity, with a free personal edition and paid professional and enterprise editions. The professional edition costs $199 per month per user (or $999 per year), while the enterprise edition offers additional features and support for larger teams.
Development Costs
The development cost of a game built with Unreal Engine can also vary widely depending on the scope of the project. On average, a small-to-medium-sized game can be developed in 6-9 months by a team of 2-4 developers. The development cost for this type of project can range from $75,000 to $150,000 or more.
Asset Costs
Unreal Engine also has a vast library of pre-made assets that can save developers time and money by providing ready-to-use tools and resources. The cost of these assets varies widely depending on the type of asset and the source, but many are available for free or at a low cost. Some popular asset stores for Unreal Engine include the Epic Games Store and the Udemy Asset Store.
Maintenance Costs
Like Unity, the maintenance cost of a game built with Unreal Engine can vary depending on the size of the development team and the frequency of updates. On average, developers can expect to spend 10-20% of the development cost on maintenance annually.
FAQs
Q: Is there a free version of Unity or Unreal Engine?
A: Yes, both engines have free personal editions that are suitable for personal projects and small-scale commercial projects.
Q: How much does it cost to use Unity or Unreal Engine professionally?
A: The professional edition of Unity costs $49 per month per user (or $249 per year), while the professional edition of Unreal Engine costs $199 per month per user (or $999 per year).
Q: How much does it cost to maintain a game built with Unity or Unreal Engine?
A: The maintenance cost for a game built with either engine can vary depending on the size of the development team and the frequency of updates. On average, developers can expect to spend 10-20% of the development cost on maintenance annually.
Case Studies
Unity Case Study: Puzzle Island
Puzzle Island is a mobile puzzle game developed by a team of 4 developers using Unity. The game was developed over a period of 6 months and cost $50,000 to develop. With a small development team and a relatively simple project scope, the cost per developer for Puzzle Island was $12,500.
Unreal Engine Case Study: Fortnite
Fortnite is a popular battle royale game developed by Epic Games using Unreal Engine. The game was first released in 2017 and has since grown into one of the most successful games in history, with millions of players worldwide. While the exact cost of developing Fortnite is unknown, it’s safe to say that the team at Epic Games had a significant budget for this project.
Unity Case Study: Among Us
Among Us is a popular multiplayer game developed by Innersloth using Unity. The game was first released in 2018 and has since grown into one of the most successful games on Steam. While the exact cost of developing Among Us is unknown, it’s safe to say that the team at Innersloth had a significant budget for this project.
Unreal Engine Case Study: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world adventure game developed by CD Project Red using Unreal Engine. The game was first released in 2015 and has since won numerous awards for its stunning graphics and immersive world. While the exact cost of developing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is unknown, it’s safe to say that the team at CD Project Red had a significant budget for this project.
Summary
In conclusion, both Unity and Unreal Engine are powerful game development engines with their own unique features and capabilities. When choosing between the two, it’s important to consider factors such as your budget, the scope of your project, and the experience and skills of your development team. While Unity may be a more popular choice for smaller projects and mobile game development, Unreal Engine may be a better fit for larger-scale projects with complex graphics requirements.
