Unity 3D - 2.6 launched, it's free now

[squirrel]

Unity3d just released version 2.6 for OS X and Windows. They've changed the pricing structure significantly.

For 2.5 there was an Indie license and Pro license ($249, $1499).

For 2.6 there is no Indie version, it's been replaced by a free version with the same functionality. Pro is still $1499.00. If you own Indie license you get a $400 discount on upgrading to pro.

Not to shill it out, it's a pretty big change though.

[Prospero]

Yeah, my game dev side project switched over in a hurry to it. They also added support for real version control systems. 

[Ghambit]

/necromonger

I finally got around to fooling with this today using some of 3dBuzz's tuts.  Like it.  Like it a lot.  I'd been in love with UDK before but Unity is just a more streamlined system.  Kinda reminds me of XSI's no nonsense, uncluttered approach.  I also like the fact you can script directly with c# or javascript rather than fooling around with unrealscript/kismet.  In this aspect Unity somewhat forces you to get back to raw coding, but they make it easy to apply the scripts to objects.  (btw, XSI scripts in C# also if you're into that program)

It's just overall a much simpler tool to fully grasp whereas UDK tended to get rather cluttered at times, even for the free version.  There's also more vast differences between the enterprise version of Ue3 and UDK... whereas Unity doesnt have such a stark contrast.

Anyways, I just started playing with it along with kinda sorta getting back into c# and VS2010 (interesting stuff there too btw).  Now that Buzz is off Epic's payroll they've pretty much jumped on the Unity bandwagon it seems.

[squirrel]

Mild Necro - Unity 3D 3.0 has been released. It's got a tonne of new features and stuff. If you care, check it out!

[Mrbloodworth]

Kinda reminds me of XSI's no nonsense, uncluttered approach. 

You must be speaking of another app.

[Margalis]

Bizzump.

Couple specific questions about Unity:

1. Can I code in C/C++ or how close to the metal can I get? For example say I wanted to change or rewrite the rendering system?

2. How do I get art assets into unity? use Maya/Max and then some handy exporter thing?

[Mrbloodworth]

Very few engines give the source code for free, script layer is usually what you get. As for models, I believe Unity is COLLADA/FBX supported, along with many app native formats.

Also: I'm somewhat bored with medieval stuff, someone contact me if you have any fun things to make!

[nurtsi]

1. Can I code in C/C++ or how close to the metal can I get? For example say I wanted to change or rewrite the rendering system?

If you get the pro version you can write plugins with C/C++, but I don't know what parts of the engine they've exposed.

[squirrel]

Bizzump.

Couple specific questions about Unity:

1. Can I code in C/C++ or how close to the metal can I get? For example say I wanted to change or rewrite the rendering system?

2. How do I get art assets into unity? use Maya/Max and then some handy exporter thing?

The scripting engine supports C# or JScript. As mentioned the pro version also supports C/C++ plugins, but you don't get direct exposure to the core engine afaik.

Asset import/export is really slick. It supports Maya/Max models 'natively' and FBX as well as a plethora of image/sound formats. Quickest way to see is download the trial/indy version and muck about.