Perforce Helix and Unity 5 Offer Indie Developers and Students Free Access to the Next-Generation Development Tool Combo
Key Points:
P4Connect integrates Perforce Helix with Unity 5 for cross-platform version control and protection of game assets
Updated P4Connect plugin brings performance enhancements, simplified setup and configuration, full 64-bit support and more
Perforce Helix is free for up to 20 users and open-sourced P4Connect is available free of charge
WOKINGHAM, UK. (May 12, 2015) - Perforce Software today announced an updated version of its P4Connect Unity plugin, integrating the new Perforce Helix collaboration and software configuration management (SCM) platform with Unity 5, the latest edition of the industry leading multiplatform game engine and development tool suite. With the update, teams using Helix and Unity can utilise next-generation game development technology while protecting their most valuable IP with Perforce. P4Connect is free and available from the Unity store or Perforce's website, and the tool's source code is available from Perforce's open source Workshop.
Next-Generation Development
Unity 5 is a major upgrade to Unity's acclaimed multiplatform engine, bringing thousands of improvements such as a new audio system and better lighting to Unity games across all 21 of its supported platforms. The new version of P4Connect works with Unity 5 and adds 64-bit support, overall performance improvements, simplified setup and configuration, and support for multiple P4Connect instances. Additionally, Helix's unique collaboration and threat detection capabilities will enable more efficient cross-platform game development, allowing teams to work from a single repository for all projects, assets and code, all while protecting valuable IP.
"The initial release of P4Connect was fantastic. It allowed for better integration of two of our favourite tools - Perforce and Unity," said Dan Higgins, co-founder of Lunchtime Studios. "With Unity 5's new terms of use and Perforce's ongoing support of indie studios with their free offering, it's like a whole new world. We indie developers don't want to spend our time thinking about how to pay for tools, we want to think about making our games great for those who play them. That's why the removal of price barriers and the placement of triple-A products like Perforce and Unity 5 in our hands is so important. We are as strong as our tools let us be, and we indie developers just got a lot stronger."
Free for 20 Users
Helix is available for free of charge through the Perforce 20/20 Program, offering indie developers equal access to the most powerful SCM and collaboration platform in the game development industry. Perforce also offers free educational licenses, used by academic institutions around the world such as the Academy of Art University, Academy of Design and Objectif 3D.
"SCM is one of the most important components for game developers because it's the foundation for your entire game," said Christopher Seiwald, founder and CEO of Perforce. "As such, the degree to which you can integrate your SCM system with other tools-and do so seamlessly and in an automated way-can make or break productivity. That's why we're pushing to develop and support projects like P4Connect. We're committed to ensuring gamers have the most streamlined and productive development pipeline possible."
Open Source Upgrades
P4Connect is open source and available now. Developers can contribute to its ongoing development, along with many other open source projects, at the Perforce Workshop.
To download P4Connect, please visit:
http://www.perforce.com/downloads/free/p4connect
