VIDEO
DIGITAL ARTS
CREATIVE CODING
INTERACTIVE

Case Study: Optimizing a 360° Movable Galaxy Material for Real-Time Games in Unreal Engine

This project involved the creation and optimization of a dynamic galaxy material designed for real-time applications within Unreal Engine, emphasizing both visual impact and performance efficiency.

The galaxy material features richly detailed textures mapped onto a 360-degree movable sphere, allowing players to explore and interact with a realistic cosmic environment. To achieve this, we utilized high-quality galaxy texture maps combined with advanced shader techniques that simulate depth, glow, and starfield dynamics.

Key to this project was optimizing the material to run smoothly within game constraints. We implemented efficient texture sampling, layered procedural noise, and parallax effects to create an immersive 3D appearance without overburdening the GPU. The shader was designed to dynamically adjust detail levels based on camera distance and hardware performance, ensuring consistent frame rates across platforms.

By leveraging Unreal Engine’s material system and LOD settings, the galaxy material maintains its stunning aesthetics while minimizing resource usage. This optimization enables its integration into diverse game genres, from space exploration titles to sci-fi adventures, enhancing player immersion with realistic and responsive celestial visuals.

This case study demonstrates how thoughtful material design and optimization can bring expansive, interactive environments like galaxies to life in real-time gaming contexts without sacrificing performance.