Developer GHOSTBLVCK works on a game prototype in Unity featuring an impressive terrain setup. The developer shared that the goal is to recreate the geometry similar to Saber Interactive's off-road adventure SnowRunner.
As the creator explained, the prototype uses terrain streaming, dividing the game world into chunks to keep performance in check. Each chunk is processed on the CPU in real time and independently stores its own tire tracks and deformed terrain data. Surface deformation is calculated per frame based on the load applied to each wheel.
The developer bakes the environment into detailed mesh blocks that are spawned around the vehicle instead of relying on Unity's standard terrain system. These blocks are saved to disk in real time, while unused ones are unloaded to keep memory usage efficient.
GHOSTBLVCK shared that the setup is not a part of a game project but rather is an exercise in creating such a type of geometry.
Also, check out custom shaders for visualizing terrain in Godot by Game Developer Jan Fidler:
