GDC 2025 Session Viewer
The Great Engine Debate Roundtable (Presented by the IGDA)
Daya Singh (Platform Engineer, PlayEveryWare / Engineering SIG Board Member)
Location: Room 304, South Hall
Date: Friday, March 21
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Core Pass, Summits Pass, Expo Pass, Audio Pass, Indie Games Summit Pass, Friday Only Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Advocacy
Format: Roundtable
Vault Recording: Not Recorded
Audience Level: All
As the game development landscape constantly evolves, so too do the tools we use to bring games to life. With major shifts in market share, controversies, and the rise of new contenders, it's time to revisit the perennial debate: commercial engines versus proprietary solutions and everything in between. This session will explore the strengths and weaknesses of popular commercial engines like Unity and Unreal, the draw of open source solutions like Godot and Ogre 3D, alongside the unique challenges and rewards of developing a custom engine. We will also reflect on lessons learned from engines that haven’t succeeded to help attendees make informed choices for their projects.
Takeaway
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of: the capabilities and trade-offs of major commercial engines. Insights into when a custom engine might — or might not — be the right choice for their game. Evolving trends and considerations in engine technology that affect developers today.
Intended Audience
Engineers, technical leads, solo developers, producers, and technically inclined artists or designers who are involved in engine selection or curious about the evolving engine landscape.
