Cross-Industry Game Engine Adoption Hits Record Levels in 2025
Cross-Industry Game Engine Adoption Hits Record Levels in 2025
Highlights
- Unreal Engine and Unity continue to dominate as 65% and 53% of industry leaders report active use, according to new data.
- Godot's adoption grows quickly, with strong uptake in architecture, education, automotive, and manufacturing, supported by its open-source model.
- Visualization, simulation, and non-gaming applications are driving broader engine use, with growth also seen in VR, AR, and media production.
Game engine adoption across industries has reached record levels in 2025 according to recent reports. Unreal Engine remains the leading choice, with 65% of professionals identifying it as their main tool for development. Unity, traditionally favored for mobile and cross-platform deployment, now captures 53% usage among respondents, reflecting continued growth and appeal for diverse project types.
Game Engine Use is Expanding Beyond Gaming
Interest in Godot, a free and open-source engine, is rising sharply. Perforce’s State of Gaming Technology Report shows Godot's use at 15% in education, 19% in design and construction sectors, and 21% in automotive and manufacturing fields. This increase is attributed to cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and an engaged development community that supports experimentation well beyond traditional gaming.
Applications for game engines are broadening. 14% of industry leaders use engines for visualization and simulation, while 12% report regular use in film and television content production. VR and AR development saw a jump, with 18% now leveraging engines for immersive environments compared to just 4% in the previous year. Rapid technology advances and expansive content creation demands are cited as principal factors.
Unreal Engine continues to set the standard for complex visuals in AAA development and large-scale productions. Unity’s strengths remain in mobile gaming, interactive media, and VR due to its robust asset ecosystem and flexible deployment options. Godot’s rapid rise is noted among smaller studios, education providers, and non-gaming enterprises. Game engines have shifted from being niche tools for video games to essential platforms powering design, simulation, and experiences across creative industries.
Author
Abhimannu Das is a web journalist at Outlook India with a focus on Indian pop culture, gaming, and esports. He has over 10 years of journalistic experience and over 3,500 articles that include industry deep dives, interviews, and SEO content. He has worked on a myriad of games and their ecosystems, including Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends.
Abhimannu Das is a web journalist at Outlook India with a focus on Indian pop culture, gaming, and esports. He has over 10 years of journalistic experience and over 3,500 articles that include industry deep dives, interviews, and SEO content. He has worked on a myriad of games and their ecosystems, including Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends.
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