Unreal Engine 5 (UE5), developed by Epic Games, introduced several groundbreaking technologies aimed at revolutionizing real-time rendering in video games, with Nanite being one of its most talked-about features. Nanite is a virtualized geometry system that allows for the creation of highly detailed environments with billions of polygons while maintaining smooth performance, effectively eliminating the need for traditional polygon optimization techniques like manually created levels of detail (LODs).
Since the release of Unreal Engine 5, developers and players alike have been eager to see how Nanite can be used to push the boundaries of visual fidelity in games. But the question remains: Are any games using Nanite? The answer is yes, and several high-profile games have already begun leveraging this cutting-edge technology. In this blog post, we will explore some of the games currently using Nanite, and how they are utilizing it to enhance their visual storytelling and immersive worlds.
What is Nanite?
Before we dive into the games, let’s briefly recap what makes Nanite so special:
- Virtualized Geometry: Nanite allows developers to import high-polygon assets directly into Unreal Engine 5 without having to worry about traditional optimization techniques. It uses a dynamic LOD system that adjusts in real-time, rendering only the necessary details based on the camera’s distance and screen size.
- Automatic Optimization: By dynamically streaming and culling triangles, Nanite ensures that only the visible parts of a scene are rendered, optimizing performance while maintaining high visual fidelity.
- Real-Time Performance: Nanite leverages the GPU to handle massive amounts of geometric data in real time, allowing for detailed environments without compromising on frame rates.
Now that we understand what Nanite brings to the table, let’s take a look at some of the games that are using this technology to create stunning visual experiences.
Games Using Nanite in Unreal Engine 5
1. Fortnite (Epic Games)
One of the most notable games utilizing Nanite is Fortnite, developed by Epic Games themselves. As a flagship product, Fortnite has been a testing ground for many of Unreal Engine’s features, and with the transition to Unreal Engine 5, it has adopted Nanite for several of its assets.
- Visual Upgrades: With Nanite, Fortnite’s maps have seen significant visual upgrades, especially in the areas of terrain detail, environmental assets, and building geometry. The use of Nanite allows Epic Games to create more detailed and complex environments that perform efficiently across both high-end and mid-range hardware.
- Performance Improvements: Nanite’s optimization techniques enable Fortnite to maintain high frame rates even with the increased geometric complexity, providing a smooth gaming experience even during intense battles with numerous players and objects on-screen.
2. The Matrix Awakens: An Unreal Engine 5 Experience (Epic Games)
Another Epic Games project, The Matrix Awakens, serves as a tech demo for Unreal Engine 5 but is also an interactive experience that showcases the potential of Nanite.
- Highly Detailed Urban Environment: In The Matrix Awakens, Nanite is used to render a sprawling, highly detailed urban environment that includes complex geometry such as buildings, streets, and vehicles. The demo demonstrates how Nanite can handle an immense number of assets and polygons without sacrificing performance.
- Realistic Assets and Cinematic Quality: The tech demo features assets created with extremely high levels of detail, including realistic textures and structures that would typically be reserved for pre-rendered cinematics. Nanite allows these assets to be used in real time, providing a glimpse into the future of interactive storytelling and gaming.
3. Lumen in the Land of Nanite (Epic Games)
Although more of a demonstration than a full-fledged game, Lumen in the Land of Nanite is a technical showcase that was first revealed with the announcement of Unreal Engine 5. The demo is built around both Nanite and Lumen (a global illumination and reflections system) to display the capabilities of UE5.
- High-Detail Geometries and Assets: The demo shows off a vast cave filled with millions of triangles, rocks, and intricate surfaces, all rendered in real-time thanks to Nanite. The complexity and scale of the geometry would have been impossible to render efficiently in previous engine versions without extensive optimization work.
- Interactive Lighting and Shadows: While the focus is on showcasing Nanite’s geometry capabilities, the demo also highlights how real-time lighting and shadow integration can work alongside Nanite to create highly immersive environments.
4. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Ninja Theory)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is one of the most anticipated games currently in development with Unreal Engine 5, and it has been confirmed to utilize Nanite for its visual effects.
- Detailed Character Models and Environments: Hellblade II is expected to push the boundaries of realism and immersion, featuring highly detailed character models and environments. Nanite allows the development team to use incredibly detailed textures and models, enhancing the psychological and emotional storytelling that the series is known for.
- Enhanced Realism and Atmosphere: The use of Nanite, combined with other Unreal Engine 5 features like Lumen, will likely result in a game that sets new standards for visual fidelity, realism, and atmosphere in video games.
5. Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
Black Myth: Wukong is an upcoming action-adventure game by Chinese developer Game Science that has generated a lot of buzz for its stunning visuals and impressive gameplay trailers.
- Realistic Creatures and Environments: The game’s developers have confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5, and while specific details about Nanite’s implementation have not been fully disclosed, the game’s visual fidelity suggests that it is utilizing Nanite to render its highly detailed creatures and expansive environments.
- Smooth Performance with High Detail: Early gameplay footage showcases dense forests, ancient temples, and complex character models, all rendered with a high degree of detail. The game’s use of Nanite likely contributes to the smooth performance observed in these previews, even with a large number of assets on screen.
Why Are Developers Adopting Nanite?
The adoption of Nanite in these games highlights a shift in how developers approach game design and optimization. Here are a few reasons why developers are excited about using Nanite:
- Reduced Development Time: By eliminating the need for manually creating multiple LODs and optimizing assets, Nanite allows developers to save significant time in the development process. This time can be better spent on other areas, such as improving gameplay mechanics and crafting detailed narratives.
- Enhanced Visual Fidelity: Nanite’s ability to render billions of polygons in real-time allows for a level of detail that was previously only possible in pre-rendered cinematics. This opens up new possibilities for creating immersive and visually stunning game worlds.
- Improved Performance: Despite handling extremely high-polygon assets, Nanite is optimized to ensure that games run smoothly across a range of hardware, from high-end gaming PCs to next-generation consoles. This efficiency is crucial for maintaining high frame rates, especially in action-heavy games.
Nanite is already making a significant impact in the gaming industry, with several high-profile titles and tech demos showcasing its potential. As more developers begin to adopt Unreal Engine 5, we can expect to see an increasing number of games utilizing Nanite to create breathtaking environments and immersive experiences. By allowing developers to use high-polygon assets without sacrificing performance, Nanite is not only changing the way games are developed but also raising the bar for what players can expect in terms of visual fidelity and realism.
The future of gaming looks incredibly bright with Unreal Engine 5, and Nanite is at the forefront of this exciting new era of game development. Keep an eye on upcoming releases to see how this technology continues to evolve and shape the gaming landscape!