Game Engine with Built-in Physics vs Custom Physics Engine
Developers should use game engines with built-in physics when creating games that require realistic physical interactions, such as platformers, racing games, or simulations, as they save time and reduce complexity compared to coding physics manually meets developers should learn or use a custom physics engine when building applications with demanding performance needs, unique physics behaviors, or when existing engines like unity physics or havok are too generic, costly, or restrictive. Here's our take.
Game Engine with Built-in Physics
Developers should use game engines with built-in physics when creating games that require realistic physical interactions, such as platformers, racing games, or simulations, as they save time and reduce complexity compared to coding physics manually
Game Engine with Built-in Physics
Nice PickDevelopers should use game engines with built-in physics when creating games that require realistic physical interactions, such as platformers, racing games, or simulations, as they save time and reduce complexity compared to coding physics manually
Pros
- +These engines are essential for projects needing consistent and optimized physics performance across different platforms, and they are particularly valuable for indie developers or small teams with limited resources, as they provide pre-tested, reliable physics systems
- +Related to: unity, unreal-engine
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Custom Physics Engine
Developers should learn or use a custom physics engine when building applications with demanding performance needs, unique physics behaviors, or when existing engines like Unity Physics or Havok are too generic, costly, or restrictive
Pros
- +It's essential for game development studios aiming for high-fidelity simulations, robotics software requiring custom collision handling, or research projects where physics accuracy is critical
- +Related to: c-plus-plus, game-development
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
These tools serve different purposes. Game Engine with Built-in Physics is a platform while Custom Physics Engine is a tool. We picked Game Engine with Built-in Physics based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.
Based on overall popularity. Game Engine with Built-in Physics is more widely used, but Custom Physics Engine excels in its own space.
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