REDengine
| REDEngine 3 | |
| Developer(s) | CD Projekt RED |
|---|---|
| Platform | Microsoft Windows, OS X, 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.[1]
Features
Platforms
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 OS X.[4] REDengine 3, the 64-bit updated version (see REDengine 3 discussed below), will also run under PlayStation 4.[5]
Advantages
REDengine improves significantly upon prior RPG game engines.[1] 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 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, which it has planned for The Witcher 3[1] (2015 release) and Cyberpunk 2077[1] (2015 release).
REDengine 3 is new technology, utilizing the 64-bit precision of modern personal computing.[1] The engine produces better quality computer graphics via high dynamic range rendering with the 64-bit precision.[1] It also creates "more life-like" visuals — better graphics, better lighting effects, better in-depth views.[1] Furthermore, it introduces new improvements to facial as well as other computer animation.[1] Lighting effects no longer suffer from reduced contrast ratio.[1]
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 | Engine Version | Platform(s) | Genre(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings | 2011 | 1 | Microsoft Windows, OS X | Action RPG |
| The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition | 2012 | 2 | Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, OS X | Action RPG |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 2015 | 3 | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Action RPG |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | TBA | 3 | Microsoft Windows | Action RPG |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "CDPRED: "RED Engine 3 is a revolution in RPGs"". IGN Entertainment, Inc. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- ^ O'Connor, Alice (2010-11-10). "The Witcher 2 Dev Diary Introduces New Engine". Shacknews. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
- ^ Peckham, Matt (2010-03-25). "The Witcher 2 Announced, 'Non-Linear' with 'Smoother' Combat". PCWorld. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
- ^ "The Witcher 2 Is Coming To Mac". Forbes. 2012-05-30. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (February 21, 2013). "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt confirmed for PlayStation 4 in 2014". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved February 22, 2013.