Messiah Engine: NetEase's proprietary engine for an action RPG set in ancient China
NetEase has developed an action RPG that transports players through time to ancient China, using its proprietary Messiah Engine technology. This engine, initially conceived for mobile platforms, has undergone a remarkable evolution to deliver full experiences on consoles 🎮.
Implemented visual creation tools
The development team employs a professional workflow that combines Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max for three-dimensional modeling of characters and environments. ZBrush complements this process by enabling high-resolution sculpting that gives authenticity to historical elements. For textures, they use Substance Painter and Designer, applying PBR systems that replicate traditional materials like silks, ancient metals, and weathered woods 🖌️.
Integration of specialized tools:- Autodesk software for base modeling of environments and characters
- ZBrush for historical details and high-fidelity organic elements
- Substance Suite for physically accurate texturing with authentic materials
Messiah Engine demonstrates how an engine can scale from mobile platforms to deliver console experiences with expansive and detailed worlds
Technical evolution of the proprietary engine
The adaptability of the Messiah Engine is evident in its ability to render complex historical cities, mountainous landscapes, and immersive forests. The system handles fast martial animations and spectacular visual effects while maintaining a balanced artistic style between historical realism and wuxia fantasy ⚔️.
Key engine features:- Rendering of extensive historical environments with a high level of detail
- Support for complex martial arts-based combat animations
- Integration of internal tools for advanced RPG systems
Capabilities and technical considerations
The engine not only creates visually rich worlds that capture the essence of ancient China but also handles fluid combat systems with impactful effects. While its performance in expansive worlds is notable, curiosity arises about whether it will include mechanisms to avoid the typical initial technical issues that often accompany current launches 🐛.