5 next-gen engines and tech

With the eighth generation of consoles on their way, and PCs hitting a new step in evolution, there are a number of powerful engines and technologies that will be powering our upcoming favourite games.

Frostbite 3

DICE’s Frostbite engine has become a favourite among gamers for its authenticity, and Frostbite 3 is said to be an easier to work with than all the predecessors.

The conversion code from PC to consoles is said to be a lot simpler, providing some consistency across platforms.

Frostbite 3 offers dramatically increased texture details, more complicated lighting and shadowing, as well as environmental deformation.

Powered by Frostbite 3: Battlefield 4, Dragon Age 3, untitled Mass Effect game, untitled Need for Speed game

CryEngine 3

Crytek’s CryEngine is still touted as the most powerful and gorgeous graphical engine around, and the company is set to transfer their new engine to the next-gen of consoles.

CryEngine 3 is the fastest high-end renderer in the world for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 (claims Crytek), however, the engine is “next-gen ready”, which will see it carried over into the future.

The engine specialises in large near-photo-realistic indoor and outdoor environments, along with an advanced m0dular AI system.

Powered by Cryengine 3: Crysis 3

Activision facial real-time rendering engine

Activision has released a new video which showcases the tech behind the publisher’s research and development into character models, which will be used to develop for next-gen platforms.

The new tech is used for generating realistic high-quality and lifelike faces – even featuring freckles, pores, wrinkles and eye lashes.

Games that feature Activision’s tech: TBA

Unreal Engine 4

Epic Games’ Unreal Engine has been passed around like chewing gum in a school yard, and the latest iteration is heading for next-gen platforms.

Unreal Engine 4 is said to be a big step-up from Unreal Engine 3, which still looks great by the way.

Epic released a show-reel, which highlights include dynamic lighting, particle effects and physics.

The demo, which was built in less than 3 months by 14 engineers, is said to be glimpse into what into where in-game visuals are heading.

Powered by Unreal Engine 4: Primal Carnage: Genesis

Square Enix Luminous Engine

Square Enix showed off its next-gen engine at E3 2012, and reaffirmed it this year at Sony’s PS4 reveal event.

The Luminous Engine was showcased with a Final Fantasy-esque demo video, which highlighted the authentic photo-realistic character models it could produce in real-time.

Some great special effects are also shown, and Square did confirm that the engine will be used in a new Final Fantasy game, which will be announced at E3 2013.

Games it powers: Unannounced Final Fantasy title (expected)