Dunia Engine, A Game Engine Developed in C++

The Dunia Engine is a software fork of CryEngine designed by Kirmaan Aboobaker while working at Crytek. Sharing the source code of CryEngine, the Ubisoft Montréal development team heavily modified it for use in Far Cry 2. A revamped and revised version of the Dunia Engine is utilized for James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game. Assassin’s Creed II and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood also uses Far Cry 2’s foliage technology, though the Dunia Engine itself is not used for game development (instead opting to run on Anvil Game Engine).

In developing Far Cry 2, Ubisoft Montreal altered the CryEngine to incorporate destructible environments and a more realistic physics engine for better functionality. This altered version was named the Dunia Engine, which was showcased with Far Cry 2 in 2008. Written in C++, the Dunia Engine continued to be enhanced, such as adding weather systems. This engine became the basis of all future Far Cry games, as well as James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game, also developed by Ubisoft Montreal.

Far Cry 3 used the Dunia engine 2 introduced by Ubisoft along with the game in 2012, which had the goal to refine the performance of Dunia-based games on consoles and to integrate more complex graphics rendering features such as global illumination. Remi Quenin, one of the engine’s architects at Ubisoft Montreal, stated that Dunia Engine as of 2017 includes all fundamental elements for game development such as physics, day/night cycles, and dynamic sound etc. Little of the first CryEngine code stayed in the recent form.

History of Dunia Engine

Origins (2008):
- Dunia Engine was first introduced with Far Cry 2 in 2008.
- It was developed as a successor to the CryEngine, which was used in the original Far Cry game (2004).
Evolution:
- The engine has been continuously updated and refined for subsequent Far Cry games, including Far Cry 3, Far Cry 4, Far Cry 5, and Far Cry 6.
- Each iteration of the engine has introduced new features and improvements, such as better graphics, enhanced AI, and more dynamic open-world systems.
Focus on Open-World Gameplay:
- Dunia Engine was designed with a strong emphasis on open-world environments, allowing for large, seamless maps and dynamic gameplay.

What are the features of Dunia Game Engine?

Dynamic weather and day/night cycles allowing developers to bring more life in the game.
Dynamic and realistic fire propagation.
Volumetric lighting and Radiosity for global illumination
Enhanced Physics engine for mobility of game assets.
The engine supports the dynamic sound system.
Real-Time Foliage Re-growth in the game, making the scene looks livelier.
Weapons wear and tear options provided by the engine
Better handling of Non-scripted enemy A.I.
For special effects compatible with amBX technology

Games Developed in Dunia Engine

The fifth main installment in the Far Cry series, Far Cry 5 was developed using Dunia Engine by Ubisoft Montreal in 2018. Far cry 5 is a first-person shooter game taking place in Hope country. Players get the chance to control the unnamed junior deputy sheriff who becomes trapped in the city.

In 2009 Ubisoft Montreal using Dunia engine developed James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game. It is a third-person action video game based on film Avatar by James Cameron.

Far Cry 2 (2008)
Far Cry 3 (2012)
Far Cry 4 (2014)
Far Cry 5 (2018)
Far Cry New Dawn (2019)
Far Cry 6 (2021)

Avatar Game

Conclusion

Dunia Engine is a powerful and specialized game engine that has been instrumental in the success of the Far Cry series. Its focus on open-world gameplay, realistic environmental interactions, and cutting-edge graphics make it a standout choice for developers creating immersive, large-scale games. While primarily used by Ubisoft for its own projects, Dunia Engine’s influence on the FPS genre and open-world game design is undeniable.