LogInThis major update introduces a new mobile rendering pipeline and makes it possible to create games without a C++ compiler.
Following several months of public preview, Open 3D Foundation has officially launched Open 3D Engine 24.09, its real-time open-source 3D engine that enables the creation of AAA games, cinematic-quality 3D worlds, and high-fidelity simulations, all without any fees or commercial requirements.
Dubbed a game-changing update, O3DE 24.09 is packed with exciting improvements based on user feedback, aiming to drastically boost performance and enhance your experience. Key updates are tailored for mobile hardware, including a new mobile rendering pipeline, optimized memory usage, enhanced materials and lighting, and a significant mobile performance boost of "up to 400%" across iOS, Android, and AR/XR devices.
This release also introduces several rendering and visual enhancements. One notable addition is support for the Silhouette material type, which, when applied to a mesh, draws an outline and filled-in silhouette in various modes. Additionally, O3DE 24.09 introduces support for lighting channels, offering three distinct channels for "each kind of light and light-able objects".
For developers, a major shift in O3DE 24.09 is the introduction of "script-only" projects, allowing games to be built without a C++ compiler, using only Script Canvas, O3DE's visual programming tool, along with Lua scripting. The update also brings a new Project Export UI, offering full export support for iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows, eliminating the need for using a command line.
Furthermore, O3DE 24.09 introduces a dedicated framework that enables users to interface with the AI model of their choice, offering greater flexibility for integrating LLMs into projects and several features geared towards simulation-based work, including a new Georeference component and the ability to parse Gazebo data.
The update is bursting with hundreds of quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes, so learn more in the release notes here and join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Reddit, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.