Highlights:

  • Unity will use Microsoft’s Azure cloud service to power its production of real-time 3D experiences, which can apply not only to the development of video games but also to other industries that require real-time simulations.
  • Microsoft is actively working with the developers of two of the most popular game design toolsets, Unreal and Unity, to bring more independent studios into the publishing game.

The company responsible for creating one of the most widely used game development toolkits has agreed to use Microsoft Azure as its official cloud partner.

Unity Technologies, headquartered in San Francisco, is best recognized for its eponymous licensed game engine. Since 2008, Unity has been one of the most popular options for game development among hobbyists, amateurs, and professionals.

Although it is not the most prominent announcement to come from Microsoft’s games division, the company has made several bets, both throughout the history of the Xbox project and in recent months, that are aimed at expanding the overall accessibility of game development. The bets include the following:

Even if you’re not familiar with the software, most likely, you’ve already played at least one game that was developed using Unity. PowerWash Simulator, V Rising, Tunic, Raft, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl are some famous examples from this year’s release calendar.

As per the new agreement announced on the Microsoft blog, Unity will use Microsoft’s Azure cloud service to power its production of real-time 3D experiences, which can apply not only to the development of video games but also to other industries that require real-time simulations.

At least on paper, this enables smaller software developers to gain easy and affordable access to high-powered machines and pricey programs by using the Azure cloud service.

This agreement also serves to strengthen an existing partnership between Unity and Microsoft. That partnership was established to make it simpler for developers who use Unity to publish its games on the Xbox platform and personal computers.

Sarah Bond, Microsoft CVP of game creator experiences and ecosystem, said in a press release, “With this agreement, Microsoft and Unity are coming together to empower creators and make it easier for them to bring their games to Xbox, Windows PC, or into virtual worlds on other platforms.” Marc Whitten, former Xbox executive and Unity senior Vice President — added: “We believe the world is a better place with more creators in it, and we know this is a conviction Microsoft shares.”

This comes after the debut of Microsoft’s ID@Azure toolset alongside the Azure Game Development Virtual Machine in March, which offers similar benefits to developers working with different toolsets such as the Unreal Engine.

Microsoft is actively working with the developers of two of the most popular game design toolsets, Unreal and Unity, to bring more independent studios into the publishing game. ID@Azure covers Unreal, and the company recently reached an agreement with Unity.