Amazon Lumberyard
Developer(s) | Amazon Game Tech |
---|---|
Preview release | beta 1.28
/ May 19, 2021[1] |
Repository | github |
Written in | C++[2] and Lua[3] |
Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
Platform |
|
Predecessor | CryEngine |
Successor | Open 3D Engine |
License | Proprietary (source-available) |
Website | aws |
Amazon Lumberyard is a now superseded freeware cross-platform game engine developed by Amazon and based on CryEngine (initially released in 2002), which was licensed from Crytek in 2015.[4][5][6] In July 2021, Amazon and the Linux Foundation announced that parts of the engine would be used to create a new open source game engine called Open 3D Engine, which would replace it. A new Open 3D Foundation, run by the Linux Foundation will manage the new engine, which will be licensed under the open source Apache 2.0 license.[7] [8] The new engine is reportedly partially based on Lumberyard but with many parts rewritten, and is considered a new engine.[9][10][8]
The Lumberyard engine features integration with Amazon Web Services to allow developers to build or host their games on Amazon's servers, as well as support for livestreaming via Twitch.[11] Additionally, the engine includes Twitch ChatPlay, allowing viewers of the Twitch stream to influence the game through the associated chat, a method of play inspired by the Twitch Plays Pokémon phenomenon.[12] The source code is available to end users with limitations: Users may not publicly release the Lumberyard engine source code or use it to release their own game engine.[13] Lumberyard launched on February 9, 2016 alongside GameLift, a fee-based managed service for deploying and hosting multiplayer games, intended to allow developers the easy development of games that attract "large and vibrant communities of fans."[14] As of March 2018, the software is currently in beta status and can be used to build games for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One,[15][14] with limited support for iOS and Android and support for macOS being planned for future releases.[13][16] Virtual reality integration was added in Beta 1.3, allowing developers to build games supporting devices like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.[17][18]
Despite being based on the architecture of Crytek's CryEngine, the engine has been developed to use many of its own custom developed systems, some of which are in a preview mode. A few of these systems include: The Component Entity System, Fur Shader, Modular Gems (which allows developers to either create their own assets or add existing assets to their games), Script Canvas and many others[19][20]
The audio solution Audiokinetic Wwise, which is used in many popular games, was added in Beta 1.0 released in February 2016.[21]
The first update to Lumberyard was released on March 14, 2016 and included support for certain mobile devices, such as A8-powered iOS devices and Nvidia Shield, an FBX importer and integration with Allegorithmic's texturing software Substance.[16][22]
On August 16, 2017, the engine's source code was released under a source-available arrangement on GitHub, but remained under a proprietary license.[23][24]
On July 6, 2021, Amazon announced it was partnering with the Linux Foundation to form the Open 3D Foundation and would be releasing a new version of Lumberyard, rebranded as Open 3D Engine (O3DE), under the Apache 2.0 open source license.[25][26]
Games using Amazon Lumberyard[]
Release date | Title | Genre | Platform | Developer | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TBA | Squadron 42 | Story-based Single-player, Space combat, first-person shooter | Microsoft Windows | Cloud Imperium Games, Foundry 42 | Cloud Imperium Games |
TBA | Star Citizen | MMO, Space trading and combat, first-person shooter | Microsoft Windows | Cloud Imperium Games, Foundry 42 | Cloud Imperium Games |
TBA | The DRG Initiative[27] | Third-person shooter | TBA | Slingshot Cartel | TBA |
TBA | Deadhaus Sonata[28] | Action role-playing video game | TBA | Apocalypse Studios | Apocalypse Studios |
September 28, 2021[29] | New World[30] | MMO | Microsoft Windows | Amazon Games Orange County | Amazon Games |
January 15, 2019 | The Grand Tour Game | Racing | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Amazon Game Studios Seattle | Amazon Game Studios |
October 25, 2018 | Coffence | Fighting game | Microsoft Windows | Sweet Bandits Studios | Sweet Bandits Studios |
Cancelled[31] | Crucible | Third-person shooter | Microsoft Windows | Relentless Studios | Amazon Game Studios |
Cancelled | Breakaway | MOBA | Microsoft Windows | Amazon Game Studios | Amazon Game Studios |
References[]
- ^ "Announcing Amazon Lumberyard 1.28". Amazon. May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ "Lumberyard Details". Amazon. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
Lumberyard provides free access to its native C++ source code.
- ^ "Lua Scripting - Lumberyard". Lumberyard Developer Guide. Amazon. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Morrison, Angus (February 9, 2016). "Amazon launches free 'triple-A' Lumberyard engine". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (April 6, 2015). "Amazon and Crytek Agree to Licensing Deal Worth $50-$70 Million - Report". GameSpot. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (February 12, 2016). "Inside Amazon's decision to make a video game engine". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ "Linux Foundation to Form New Open 3D Foundation". Linux Foundation. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Built for Builders: The Story of AWS and Open 3D Engine – Developer Preview". Amazon Web Services. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ Reese, Derek [@derekreese] (July 6, 2021). "@IkDusWel @misslivirose @godotengine Well, for starters, O3DE is not CryEngine/Lumberyard. It continues some of the best features and code from Lumberyard, but is its own full rewrite and independent engine. I'd also say O3DE and Godot seem to target different audiences - AAA, vs small studio & indie" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Reese, Derek [@derekreese] (July 6, 2021). "Different engine than Lumberyard, but we appreciate the mention! t.co/GU4n9P83tF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Good, Owen S. (February 9, 2016). "Amazon rolls out Lumberyard, an entirely free game development engine". Polygon. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Good, Owen (February 9, 2016). "Amazon rolls out Lumberyard, an entirely free game development engine". Polygon. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Amazon Lumberyard FAQ". Amazon Web Services, Inc. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Nutt, Christian (February 9, 2016). "Amazon launches new, free, high-quality game engine: Lumberyard". Gamasutra. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Neltz, András (February 9, 2016). "Amazon Releases Its Own Game Engine For Free". Kotaku. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Connors, J.C. (March 14, 2016). "Now Available – Lumberyard Beta 1.1". Amazon GameDev Blog. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ Chen, Hao (June 28, 2016). "VR, HDR, and more in Lumberyard Beta 1.3 – Available Now". Amazon GameDev Blog. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ^ Feltham, Jamie (June 6, 2016). "Amazon Lumberyard's 1.3 Update is All About VR". UploadVR. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ^ "Lumberyard Release Notes – Beta 1.12 (December 2017) - Lumberyard Release Notes".
- ^ "Amazon Lumberyard: Features".
- ^ "Lumberyard Release Notes – Beta 1.0 (February 2016) - Lumberyard Release Notes".
- ^ Jarvis, Matthew (March 16, 2016). "First Amazon Lumberyard update brings mobile support, Substance integration". Develop. NewBay Media. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ Lumberyard & Amazon GameLift: Now Available – Lumberyard on GitHub by Todd Gilbertsen on 15 August 2017
- ^ license on github.com/aws/Lumberyard
- ^ "Built for Builders: The Story of AWS and Open 3D Engine – Developer Preview". Amazon Web Services. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ Foundation, The Linux. "Linux Foundation to Form New Open 3D Foundation". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ McKeand, Kirk (February 23, 2017). "The DRG Initiative is a third-person team shooter where Twitch can influence battles". PCGamesN. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
- ^ Mccaffrey, Ryan (October 24, 2018). "Deadhaus Sonata Announced From Eternal Darkness, Legacy of Kain Creator Denis Dyack". Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ "Release Date Update". newworld.com. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ "Let the games begin". amazon.com. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ "Final Crucible Developer Update". Crucible. October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
External links[]
- 2016 software
- 3D graphics software
- Video game engines
- Freeware game engines
- Software development kits
- Video game development
- Virtual reality
- Amazon Web Services