Paula Vales

Types of prototyping & potential software

In the prototypes I will make, I will be utilising low fidelity prototyping methods. This is because I will be producing 3 of them in such a short time frame. In my prototypes, showing the function is more important to me than the visuals in this current moment of time. But before I make them, I need to consider the potential software I could be utilising to show the idea’s main function.

Unity

Pros

Endless Compatibility: Gives the advantage of programming in C# as the main language -> this language is quite easy to learn in comparison to other languages, even as a beginner programmer. (Martynenko, 2022)

Stunning visuals: Offers a powerful rendering system, especially with SRP. This lets developers let how graphics are drawn, improving the performance and gives more control. (Martynenko, 2022)

Entry point: Unity is free, making it so that anyone can get into programming. It allows new developers to come in and develop their skills further. (Martynenko, 2022)

Cons

1. Unity doesn’t come with templates for projects, meaning you have to start from scratch.
2. Unity has memory related issues, by that it means that Unity requires more memory to run and develop with. Those with low end systems, it’ll be more difficult when the project becomes more complex.
3. There are no external code libraries, meaning you have to figure out code more compared to other programming platforms. (Martynenko, 2022)

Games made on Unity: Among Us, Hollow Knight, Monument Valley

Unreal Engine 5

Pros

1. Powerful, feature rich, enabling the creation of visually impressive games
2. Vast and strong community facing support by Epic Games
3. Active market place for assets, plugins, and resources
4. Supports a wide range of platforms as well as devices
5. Integration with third party software and libraries (Coursera Staff, 2025)

Cons

1. Steeper learning curve in comparison to other game engines as UE5 uses C++ for its main coding language
2. Higher system requirements for running UE5
3. 5% royalty fees for developed products (Coursera Staff, 2025)

Games made in UE5: Fortnite, Silent Hill 2, Cyberpunk 2

Ren’Py

Pros

Free and open source: It’s free to use for commercial use and non-commercial games. There is no need to pay a fee to the Ren’Py devs. It also doesn’t tie your work to a particular company, web service or business model. (Ren’Py, n.d.)

Cross platform – Computer and mobile: One of Ren’Py’s biggest advantages is that it can run on either computer or mobile devices. There are three primary platforms they support:

• Windows 10+
• Mac OS X
• Linux (Ren’Py, n.d.)

Simple scripting language: Ren’Py allows beginner programmers an easier time when making a game. Here’s an example:

(Ren’Py, n.d.)

Powerful effects: Ren’Py can take advantage of hardware acceleration on supported computers, while falling back to software when it’s not. In addition to full sets of slides, wipes, and moves, this includes:

• Pixelation of the old scene and un-pixelation of a new scene
• Fades to black, then to a new scene
• Dissolves the whole scene, then to a new scene (Ren’Py, n.d.)

Cons

1. The most obvious limitation is Ren’Py’s lack of 3D features; everything is entirely 2D
2. Lacks player movement- mostly a point and click engine
3. Complex systems require using Python code, which completely takes the purpose out of using Ren’Py. (Diligent_Explorer348, 2025)

Games made on Ren’Py: Doki Doki Literature Club!, Slay the Princess, Scarlett Hollow

Twine

Pros

• Easily create interactive fiction games
• Requires little to no coding knowledge
• Encourages bold, experimental storytelling
• Completely free to use on your desktop
• Extensive community support and learning materials (Minor, 2024)

Cons

• Games have to be shared through an external hosting service
• Expanded formatting features involve some advanced skill development
• Focuses exclusively on text based adventure experiences (Minor, 2024)

Example of Twine’s interface:

Games made in Twine: Open Sorcery, Spy Intrigue

What will I be using for my prototypes?

In my prototyping work, I will be using 2 of these game engines as the third prototype will be paper as I want to explore a variety of options. As I want to explore a more technically difficult software, I will also use an engine that is more easy for me to use as of the time constraint.

In conclusion, I will be using Unity and Twine to make my final prototypes, this is because they both offer complementary strengths: Unity is more complex and harder to use, but it offers a wide variety of tools that could be useful. Also, there are a myriad of videos and help out there explaining how to use certain features of this engine. On the other hand, Twine offers a quick and easy prototype, that enables the creation of narrative based games.

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References

Coursera Staff (2025). What Is Unreal Engine? [online] Available at: https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-is-unreal-engine?utm_medium=sem&utm_source=gg&utm_campaign=b2c_emea_x_multi_ftcof_career-academy_cx_dr_bau_gg_pmax_gc_gb_en_m_hyb_25-04_x&campaignid=22490486852&adgroupid=&device=c&keyword=&matchtype=&network=x&devicemodel=&creativeid=&assetgroupid=6577627676&targetid=&extensionid=&placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22483915359&gclid=CjwKCAiA86_JBhAIEiwA4i9Ju5Baspbf_b0qoHIFr1ijJ4ILmxDEUXjQwATxAMOT3yQNAU-Qb2ei9xoC6ZYQAvD_BwE [Accessed 30 Nov. 2025].

Diligent_Explorer348 (2025). Reddit – The heart of the internet. [online] Reddit.com. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/RenPy/comments/1o7qlga/im_interested_in_making_my_first_visual_novel_and/ [Accessed 30 Nov. 2025].

Martin, A. (2025). High-Fidelity vs. Low-Fidelity Prototypes. [online] Studio by UXPin. Available at: https://www.uxpin.com/studio/blog/high-fidelity-vs-low-fidelity-prototypes/ [Accessed 30 Nov. 2025].

Martynenko, E. (2022). The Pros and Cons of Unity Game Engine. [online] pinglestudio.com. Available at: https://pinglestudio.com/blog/full-cycle-development/pros-and-cons-of-unity-game-engine [Accessed 30 Nov. 2025].

Minor, J. (2024). Twine. [online] PCMag UK. Available at: https://uk.pcmag.com/education/74440/twine [Accessed 30 Nov. 2025].

Ren’Py (n.d.). Why Ren’Py? [online] www.renpy.org. Available at: https://www.renpy.org/why.html.