Deciding Between Amazon Lumberyard vs Unreal Engine

For seasoned game developers aiming for robust, high-fidelity visuals, Unreal Engine stands out with its full-spectrum C++ toolkit. However, for devs seeking flexible, cloud-based solutions, and seamless integration with Twitch, Amazon Lumberyard’s adaptability and no royalty cost gives it an edge.

Key Differences Between Amazon Lumberyard and Unreal Engine

• Lumberyard offers a no-royalty cost model while Unreal Engine charges 5{66f7997927a862c9f57ec7dffc6a2fe6d405caee7001dff533b976d48fe118b1} of revenues over USD 1 million for commercial use.
• Unreal Engine supports a broader range of platforms including desktop, mobile, console, and VR, while Lumberyard covers mainly Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android.
• Lumberyard excels in its seamless integration with AWS services and Twitch, whereas Unreal Engine doesn’t feature such integrations.
• Unreal Engine uses the established programming language C++, whereas Lumberyard involves a component entity system.

What Is Amazon Lumberyard and Who’s It For?

Amazon Lumberyard, courtesy of Amazon Game Tech, is an advanced, cross-platform game engine formerly known as Lumberyard. Initially founded on CryEngine, the engine was later transformed into Open 3D Engine under the management of the Linux Foundation’s Open 3D Foundation. This tool is particularly designed for ambitious developers seeking to delve into the creation of intricately complex Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, and Android games.

The basic components of Amazon Lumberyard include integration with AWS for backend support, Twitch integration for engaging gameplay, and several custom-developed system entities. Users around the globe have utilized Lumberyard to bring dynamic titles like Star Citizen, Deadhaus Sonata, New World, and The Grand Tour Game to life.

Pros of Amazon Lumberyard

• Adaptable cross-platform interface
• Free 3D modeling tool
• Advanced VR support
• Integration with AWS services
• Native Twitch integration

Cons of Amazon Lumberyard

• Limited public release of source code
• Charges for AWS usage

What Is Unreal Engine and Who’s It For?

Unreal Engine (UE) is an industry-leading series of 3D computer graphics game engines developed by Epic Games. The engine, originally designed for first-person shooters, has grown to serve various industries, including film and television. It boasts a commitment to diversity, supporting desktop, mobile, console, and virtual reality platforms.

Unreal Engine facilitates game development for both budding developers and seasoned professionals. The engine’s features enable creative minds to bring their visions to life, whether they’re working on a casual mobile game or an immersive VR experience. Tools like UnrealEd level editor and Unreal Development Kit lend a hand in the development process.

Pros of Unreal Engine

• Supports a wide range of platforms
• Free for schools and universities
• Unreal Engine Marketplace for selling creations or purchasing work of other developers
• Robust tools, including UnrealEd and Unreal Development Kit

Cons of Unreal Engine

• 5{66f7997927a862c9f57ec7dffc6a2fe6d405caee7001dff533b976d48fe118b1} royalty on revenue over $1 million
• Requires knowledge of C++

Code Examples for Amazon Lumberyard & Unreal Engine

Amazon Lumberyard: Simple Entity Rotation

This piece of code applies a basic rotation to an Amazon Lumberyard entity. Ensure your Lumberyard project is set up with Script Canvas enabled beforehand.

        // Define a rotation speed variable
    var rotateSpeed = 1.0;

    // Retrieve the tickBusHandler
    var tickBusHandler = new TickBusHandler();

    // Connect the handler to the OnTickevent
    tickBusHandler.connect();

    // Define the OnTick event function
    tickBusHandler.OnTick = function(deltaTime, scriptTime) {
        // Retrieve the current entity rotation
        var entityRotation = TransformBus.Event.GetWorldRotationRadians(self.entityId);

        // Apply the rotation changes
        entityRotation.Z += deltaTime * rotateSpeed;

        // Update the entity rotation
        TransformBus.Event.SetWorldRotationRadians(self.entityId, entityRotation);
    }

Unreal Engine: Basic Health System

This Unreal Engine code snippet underpins a basic health system. Starter content should be enabled for this code to function optimally.

        #include "PlayerCharacter.h"

    APlayerCharacter::APlayerCharacter() {
        PrimaryActorTick.bCanEverTick = true;
        Health = 100.f;
    }

    void APlayerCharacter::BeginPlay() {
        Super::BeginPlay();
    }

    void APlayerCharacter::Tick(float DeltaTime) {
        Super::Tick(DeltaTime);
    }

    void APlayerCharacter::SetupPlayerInputComponent(UInputComponent* PlayerInputComponent) {
        Super::SetupPlayerInputComponent(PlayerInputComponent);
    }

    float APlayerCharacter::GetHealth() {
        return Health;
    }

    void APlayerCharacter::TakeDamage(float Damage) {
        Health -= Damage;
        if (Health <= 0) {
            Die();
        }
    }

    void APlayerCharacter::Die() {
        // Add your death logic here
    }

Verdict: Lumberyard or Unreal Engine?

Given the complexity and divergence in features, the choice between Amazon Lumberyard and Unreal Engine greatly depends on your specific application needs.

Deployment Phase Developers

Tech geeks in their deployment phase may likely favor Unreal Engine. Its expansive range and flexibility, from PC and console games to film and television, surpasses Lumberyard’s limited domains. Additionally, Unreal’s royalty model’s leniency for games published on the Epic Games Store is a major plus.

Educational Institutions

For schools and universities, Unreal Engine may be the superior choice. Epic Games generously offers Unreal Engine free of cost to educational institutions, fostering a future generation of savvy developers.

Early Stage Developers

On the contrary, early-stage developers might find Amazon Lumberyard more appealing. Its integration with AWS services alongside a robust 3D modelling tool underscores its versatility. In addition, Lumberyard has an edge when it comes to eliminating royalty charges.

Amazon Web Services Users

If you leverage AWS for your backend support, Lumberyard’s innate compatibility with these services is unbeatable. The lower cost for active users aides in minimizing overheads, making it a sensible choice for AWS enthusiasts.

To conclude, Unreal Engine’s superiority in versatility and educational support overshadows Lumberyard’s AWS integration and cost effectiveness. However, this verdict highly depends on individual aspects, whether being an early developer, an educator, or a developer in the deployment phase.