Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 23, 2016. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Stingray and the video-game development software Maya LT are aimed at indie game developers. Here are the highlight features of the Stingray update and the extension for Maya LT:
Stingray 1.2
Version 1.2 of the engine is available for a monthly subscription fee of 30 US dollars per month or 240 US dollars annually. New features in the update include expanded VR support, with Stingray now compatible with the HTC Vive VR platform and Oculus Rift SDK V 0.8. Multi-core compilation has also been added for faster project and asset import, and the workflow has been optimised overall: the Shading Environment, including Global Illumination, Fog, DoP and more, can be animated, and a unit-component editing tool can move, rotate or scale sub-components of units. The Stingray tools in the UI are also more customisable, and multiple monitors can be used during development.
More at: www.autodesk.com/products/stingray/overview
Maya LT 2016 Extension
The new rig tool allows the automatic creation and placement of bipedal character rigs, while HumanIK supports up to five bones per limb and deforms the models accordingly. The modelling and UV toolset has also been revised and the Game Exporter updated. Maya LT users can now select objects in the viewport, create a named set with a single click, and have it displayed in the Game Exporter as an object to be exported.
A free trial version is available here; students can even get Maya LT free for up to three years. Maya LT is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X. The pricing model is the same as Stingray, and Maya LT Subcribers also receive access to the Stingray engine.
More at: www.autodesk.com/products/maya-lt/overview
Game Challenge on Climate Change
Incidentally, the “Games for Change Climate Challenge” is still running until May 6. The submitted game should naturally address climate change and have been created with 3ds Max, Maya, Maya LT or Stingray. You can take part here.
