2025 A Game Development Newcomer's Experience with Unity 6 and Unreal 5

Starting Out in Game Development

Though I'm new to game development, I've been programming for quite a while. Like many others, I started with Unity. You often see advice online like "Unity is better for programming beginners" and "Choose Unreal for beautiful graphics." But is it really that simple?

Choosing a Game Engine is Like Choosing Dining Utensils

Selecting a game engine is similar to choosing between chopsticks and a knife and fork. Each has its own characteristics, and what matters most is picking the tool that suits you best. There's no absolute right or wrong – it's all about how you plan to use them. Though, like chopsticks, some tools do have a steeper learning curve.

Are Online Recommendations Still Valid in 2025? Unity vs Unreal

	Unity is recommended for	UNREAL is recommended for
Visual effects	Abundant beginner tutorials	High-quality visual effects
Game types	For 2D games	First-person shooter games
Programming Language	Beginner-friendly C#	C++ learning for career development
Commercial pricing for independent developers	Unstable policy	More favorable commercial terms

After trying both engines, I found these recommendations mostly hold true. For game development beginners, Unity does offer a gentler learning curve. Starting with Unity before moving to Unreal would definitely make the learning process smoother.

However, the notion that "Unity is the choice for 2D games" needs updating. If you're aiming to create visually sophisticated 2D games, Unreal might actually be the better choice! While it requires more time investment, it enables unique visual styles.

Why I Chose Unreal 5

To be honest, I was completely drawn in by Unreal 5's beautiful graphics! I'm particularly interested in 2.5D games and wanted to create distinctive visual styles. However, I soon discovered this path was more challenging than I'd anticipated.

Advice Before Choosing Unreal 5

Before diving into Unreal 5, let me share some personal insights that might help you make the right choice.

Unreal 5's standout feature is its powerful visual effects system, especially the material editor. If you enjoy math and physics, you'll love this digital laboratory! I've found myself creating fascinating visual effects using physical principles – it's truly captivating.

Regarding Unreal 5's Blueprint visual programming system: it takes time to master. Even with programming experience, there's still an adjustment period. Blueprint emphasizes logical thinking and object-oriented concepts. Having this foundation makes it easier to get started.

If you're just beginning to learn programming, consider starting with Unity. Its lower entry barrier and abundant learning resources let you focus on basic game development concepts. You can always explore Unreal 5's powerful features later!

Remember, everyone's learning curve is different – choosing the right tool for you is what matters most.

The Hidden Costs

While Unity's 2023 pricing changes shocked many, Unreal 5 might actually be more expensive in the long run. Not because of licensing fees, but due to:

• Steep learning curve requiring significant time investment
• Long C++ compilation times, it is really annoying!
• Various exploration and development time costs that often exceed engine licensing fees

Future Outlook

Despite these challenges, I'm sticking with Unreal. Creating high-quality visuals matters most to me. Plus, with AI assistance in 2024, programming is becoming easier. Perhaps in the future, we can focus more on creative aspects while leaving routine coding to AI assistants!