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FlightGear VS Unreal Engine

Compare FlightGear VS Unreal Engine and see what are their differences

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  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

FlightGear logo FlightGear

The FlightGear flight simulator project is an open-source, multi-platform, cooperative flight simulator development project. It also simulates space flight in Earth's orbit. It's flight dynamics engine (JSBSim) is used in a 2015 NASA benchmark.

Unreal Engine logo Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.
  • FlightGear Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-11

The FlightGear flight simulator project is an open-source, multi-platform, cooperative flight simulator development project. It also simulates space flight in Earth's orbit.

FlightGear's flight dynamics engine (JSBSim) is used in a 2015 NASA benchmark to judge new simulation code to the standards of the space industry. FlightGear is used professionally for research and development, as well as non-professionally.

Screenshots: link

Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FlightGear https://www.flightgear.org/category/tours/ https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/tags.php?tag=flightgear (multi-page articles) FlightGear wiki

As of 2020 there are over 700 aircraft and spacecraft projects available with 1 click download and install from the sim's launcher, more are available at 3rd party hangars and github repositories for different craft projects.

FlightGear 2020.3.8 and later has automatically downloaded 3d models of buildings, roads, cities etc. , based on Open StreetMap (OSM) data and automatic generation, for the whole world.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, other OSes

  • Unreal Engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

FlightGear features and specs

  • Open Source
    FlightGear is open-source software, meaning it is freely available and can be modified and distributed by anyone. This encourages community contributions and ensures that the simulator can evolve over time.
  • Cross-Platform
    FlightGear is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which allows users to run it on a variety of hardware setups.
  • Extensive Customization
    Users can customize practically every aspect of FlightGear, from aircraft models to airport details and scenery. This level of customization allows for a highly personalized experience.
  • Active Community
    The simulator has a strong and active community. Users can find a wealth of information, tutorials, and add-ons created by other enthusiasts.
  • Realistic Physics
    FlightGear offers realistic flight dynamics and physics, providing a more authentic piloting experience compared to other simulators.
  • Large Database of Aircraft
    FlightGear includes a large collection of aircraft, from commercial jets to military fighters, providing a wide range of flying experiences.

Possible disadvantages of FlightGear

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The realistic physics and comprehensive features make FlightGear complex, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
  • System Requirements
    FlightGear can be demanding on system resources, particularly for high-quality graphics and detailed add-ons, necessitating powerful hardware for optimal performance.
  • Interface and Usability
    The user interface is not as polished or user-friendly as some commercial flight simulators, potentially making it harder to navigate for new users.
  • Limited Professional Support
    As an open-source project, FlightGear relies on community support rather than professional customer service, which may not be ideal for users needing immediate assistance.
  • Inconsistent Quality
    Since much of the content is community-driven, the quality and detail of aircraft models and scenery can vary significantly.
  • Installations and Updates
    The process of installing and updating add-ons or the simulator itself can be cumbersome compared to more streamlined, commercial flight simulators.

Unreal Engine features and specs

  • High-Quality Graphics
    Unreal Engine is known for its ability to produce stunning, high-quality graphics and realistic environments, making it a preferred choice for AAA game development and high-fidelity visual projects.
  • Blueprint Visual Scripting
    Unreal Engine offers a visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows designers to create complex game logic without any programming knowledge, streamlining the development process.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Unreal Engine provides robust support for multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and VR/AR headsets, enabling developers to reach a wider audience with minimal hassle.
  • Large and Active Community
    The Unreal Engine community is large and active, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and forums which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning new techniques.
  • Regular Updates
    Epic Games frequently updates Unreal Engine, adding new features, improvements, and optimizations to keep developers equipped with the latest technology advancements.
  • Marketplace
    The Unreal Engine Marketplace offers a vast array of assets, ranging from 3D models to plugins, which can significantly speed up the development process by providing ready-to-use resources.

Possible disadvantages of Unreal Engine

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, Unreal Engine can be challenging for beginners to master, requiring a significant investment of time and effort to learn.
  • High System Requirements
    Developing with Unreal Engine often requires a powerful computer with strong hardware specifications, which can be a barrier for developers with limited resources.
  • Large File Sizes
    Unreal Engine projects can result in large file sizes, which can be cumbersome to manage, particularly in terms of storage and transfer bandwidth.
  • Complexity for Simple Projects
    For smaller or simpler projects, the capabilities of Unreal Engine might be overkill, and using it can unnecessarily complicate development when compared to lighter engines.
  • Royalty Fees
    Unreal Engine imposes a royalty fee of 5% on gross revenue after the first $1 million USD per product per year, which can impact the profitability of commercial projects.
  • Less C++ Flexibility
    While Unreal Engine supports C++, the engine imposes certain constraints and abstractions that can limit the flexibility developers might need for highly customized or optimized code.

FlightGear videos

+ Add

What's new in FlightGear 2020.1?

More videos:

  • Review - FlightGear 3.4 REVIEW (HD)
  • Demo - SpaceShuttle launch in FlightGear 2018 with real voices from STS 133 mission

Unreal Engine videos

+ Add

Why I switched over to Unreal Engine 4 From Unity 5

More videos:

  • Review - Unity vs Unreal Engine | Graphics, Workflow, Price, Level Design and More! (2017-2018)
  • Review - Game Development | Intro to Unreal Engine 4 | No Prior Programming Knowledge

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FlightGear and Unreal Engine)

FlightGear

Unreal Engine

Space Simulator
100 100%
Space Simulator
0% 0
Game Development
0 0%
Game Development
100% 100
Games
100 100%
Games
0% 0
Game Engine
0 0%
Game Engine
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using FlightGear and Unreal Engine. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FlightGear and Unreal Engine

FlightGear Reviews

6 Best Flight Simulators For Mac of 2021: Alternatives To Microsoft Flight Sim
X-Plane and FlightGear are easily the most realistic but also the most complex. X-Plane costs $59.99 whereas FlightGear is free but X-Plane is more polished and easier to get going with than FlightGear.
Source: machow2.com

Unreal Engine Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
Designed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is a comprehensive 3D graphics engine initially developed for PC gaming. Since its inception in 1998, it supports a wide array of platforms, including mobile, console, and VR. It is known for its versatility and power in a broad spectrum of industries like film and television.
Source: aircada.com
Game Engines: A Comparative Analysis
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine stands as a titan in the industry, renowned for its stunning graphics and realistic visual effects. It excels in AAA game development, with a powerful rendering engine and an intuitive visual scripting system called Blueprints. Unreal Engine’s prowess lies in its ability to deliver top-notch graphics and cinematic experiences.
Source: medium.com
Best Unity alternatives for game development
Unreal Engine has become one of the most popular engines to date; it's one of the top-of-the-line gaming engines that produces high graphical fidelity and realism for many games. In fact, many mobile games (Injustice 2, Life is Strange) that look incredible are likely using the Unreal Engine. It's a number one choice that often goes head-to-head with Unity due to its great...
Source: www.androidpolice.com
Best Game Engines for 2023 – Which Should You Use?
However, many game developers do report that Unreal Engine is better suited for larger projects and projects you intend to work on as a team. Additionally, as the program is heavy on the graphics end, many people will find it requires a more powerful computer compared to other engines like Unity. Beyond this, it is also noteworthy that while Unreal Engine can create 2D games...
Source: gamedevacademy.org
The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
2022 saw the official launch of Unreal Engine 5, and it’s already shaping up to be a game changer for game development. Most next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are already using it, and its powerful tools such as Lumen and Nanite (an engine that imports high-detailed photographic source material – taking advantage of its past acquisition of Quixel)...
Source: www.incredibuild.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FlightGear seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FlightGear mentions (1)

Unreal Engine mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Unreal Engine yet. Tracking of Unreal Engine recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FlightGear and Unreal Engine, you can also consider the following products

X-Plane - The world's most advanced flight simulator just got an upgrade. Download the free demo today for Windows, macOS, & Linux.

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

Birds of Steel - Birds of Steel is developed by Gaijin Entertainment for PlayStation and Xbox.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Digital Combat Simulator - Digital Combat Simulator is a Free-to-play, Single and Multiplayer Combat Flight Simulation developed by Eagle Dynamics and published by The Fighter Collection.

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

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