Unreal Engine
Real-time 3D engine from Epic Games for games, film, and visualization
The engine includes a visual scripting system called Blueprints, so people can build gameplay without writing C++. Lumen handles dynamic lighting and Nanite handles very detailed geometry, which suits cinematic scenes. MetaHuman Creator, which runs with the engine, produces realistic digital characters.
Game studios, film and TV productions, car makers, and architecture firms all use it. The editor is free to download, and Epic takes a royalty on products above a revenue threshold, with separate terms for some non-game uses. Check Epic’s licensing page for current terms.
Unity and Godot are the main alternatives. Unreal Engine suits teams that want high visual fidelity and are comfortable with a heavy toolset.