Licensing Costs
One of the main costs associated with Unreal Engine development is licensing fees. The cost of a license depends on the version of the engine you want to use and the number of developers working on the project. For example, a single-user license for Unreal Engine 5 starts at $99 per month, while a team license for up to 20 users starts at $149 per user per month. If you plan to use Unreal Engine for commercial purposes, you will need to purchase a production license, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Hardware Costs
Another significant cost associated with Unreal Engine development is hardware costs. Developing an Unreal Engine game requires high-performance hardware such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs). The more powerful the hardware, the faster the development process will be. If you don’t have access to high-performance hardware, you may need to purchase or rent it, which can be quite expensive.
Time Costs
Developing an Unreal Engine game also requires a significant amount of time. Creating a high-quality 3D game from scratch can take months or even years, depending on the complexity of the project. This means that you will need to hire a team of developers with the necessary skills to work on the project. Hiring a team of developers can be quite expensive, and you will need to factor in the cost of salaries, benefits, and other expenses when calculating your total development costs.
Third-Party Plugins and Assets
Unreal Engine has a vast ecosystem of plugins and assets that can help speed up the development process. However, using third-party plugins and assets can also be quite expensive. Some plugins and assets require a one-time license fee or a subscription model, which can add up quickly if you need to use multiple products. Additionally, some assets may require additional licensing fees if they are used commercially.
Marketing Costs
Finally, marketing an Unreal Engine game can be quite expensive. Promoting a game on social media platforms or through other channels requires a significant investment in advertising and public relations. You will need to factor in the cost of advertising campaigns, influencer marketing, and other promotional activities when calculating your total development costs.
Case Studies: Real-World Examples
Epic Games’ Fortnite
Epic Games used Unreal Engine to develop their popular battle royale game, Fortnite. The game has been downloaded over 2 billion times and generates millions of dollars in revenue each year. According to a report by Statista, Epic Games spent $37 million on developing Fortnite in 2018 alone. This includes licensing fees, hardware costs, salaries, and other expenses.
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft used Unreal Engine to develop their latest game, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The game received positive reviews from critics and players alike and was a commercial success. According to a report by GamesIndustry.biz, Ubisoft spent $137 million on developing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This includes licensing fees, hardware costs, salaries, and other expenses.
Minimizing Development Costs
Now that we have looked at some real-world examples of Unreal Engine development costs let’s discuss ways to minimize them.
Use Open-Source Plugins and Assets
One way to reduce development costs is to use open-source plugins and assets instead of proprietary ones.