Unity has introduced a range of AI innovations and platform updates aimed at enhancing support for game developers in realising their creative visions and achieving success in the competitive gaming industry.
One of the highlights is the early access availability of Unity Muse, an AI-powered suite designed to simplify content creation for game developers.
Muse offers features such as Muse Chat, enabling developers to source answers and resources across Unity and obtain usable code. Additionally, Muse Sprite generates 2D sprites and multiple variations, while Muse Texture produces high-quality 2D and 3D-ready textures. These features are powered by a custom-built deep learning model, ensuring data integrity.
Unity Muse is available as a standalone product at $30/month, providing subscribers with priority access to upcoming features like Muse Animate, Muse Behavior, and Muse Sketch. The product enhances workflow efficiency and facilitates rapid prototyping and collaboration within development teams.
Unity Muse is now launching in early access, while Unity Sentis – which allows developers to integrate complex AI data models into Unity Runtime – is in open beta and set to be released with Unity 6 in 2024.
Unity 6, the next major software release scheduled for 2024, promises advanced visuals with substantial performance enhancements, accelerated multiplayer game creation, and increased AI support. Unity aims to empower developers to push the boundaries of what’s possible with enhanced mobile features and innovative VR device support.
Unity also introduced Unity Cloud, a set of connected tools in early access that supports collaboration, asset management, and team administration. The platform organises content across projects and pipelines, simplifying the complexities of the development lifecycle. Unity Cloud is available to all Unity Personal, Pro, Enterprise, and Industry subscribers.
In addition to these announcements, Unity highlighted its support for Apple Vision Pro with the introduction of PolySpatial. Unity is opening its visionOS beta program – including access to Unity PolySpatial – for Unity Pro, Enterprise, and Industry subscribers, enabling the creation of spatial applications for Apple Vision Pro.
“We are here to help developers build amazing games and find success,” says Marc Whitten, President Create, Unity. “Central to our work is their feedback. They tell us where we are helping them and they tell us when there is more work to do.
“In Unity 6, this means focusing on performance and workflow improvements. In AI, it means working to make sure they have tools to build more, faster. We want to be a true partner, addressing our creators’ needs at any point of their game development lifecycle.”
Unity is grappling with the retirement of CEO John Riccitiello amid controversies that have marred his leadership.
The departure follows widespread backlash triggered by Unity’s since-updated decision to charge developers a per-install fee for game downloads, raising concerns about potential exploitation by players as a retaliatory tool. In addition, Riccitiello was forced to make a public apology last year after making derogatory comments about some game developers during an interview.
Riccitiello, who took the helm in 2014 and orchestrated Unity’s shift to a subscription-based model, announced his retirement last month. In Riccitiello’s stead, James M. Whitehurst, former president and CEO of Red Hat, assumes the role of Unity’s interim CEO and president.
Despite the leadership transition, Unity is resolute in its commitment to ongoing projects and initiatives. As Unity hopes to put a tumultuous period behind it, the announcements this week signify the start of a new chapter and rebuilding of relations with game developers.
(Image Credit: Unity)
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