The Godot Engine has unveiled the first development release of version 3.7, known as Godot 3.7 Dev 1. This release showcases significant advancements even as many contributors have shifted their focus to Godot 4.x. A dedicated team continues to enhance Godot 3, building upon the previous release, Godot 3.6, from September 2024.
Key features in this update include a complete rewrite of the 3D physics interpolation system, which addresses longstanding issues related to tree branches and improves the accuracy of pivot relationships for a smoother gameplay experience. In the realm of rendering, new capabilities have been introduced, such as analytical sphere and capsule soft shadows, which serve as alternatives to traditional shadow mapping, particularly beneficial for mobile devices. However, these shadows are best suited for dynamic objects due to limitations on how many can be processed simultaneously.
Additionally, experimental audio enhancements featuring hot-swapping have been integrated, potentially reducing CPU load, making it advantageous for games on less powerful PCs or battery-operated devices, although it remains in the experimental phase and may not be universally reliable yet.
The release also includes several bug fixes sourced from Godot 4.x, highlighting a bidirectional development approach where features and improvements are shared across both major versions. Quality-of-life enhancements, such as improved tile selection visibility, access to interpolated global transforms for invisible nodes in 3D physics, and simplified casting with ObjectDB::get_instance(), have been implemented alongside core container upgrades through move semantics.
Furthermore, the editor experience has been refined, with tooltips now disappearing upon clicking away and clearer class information displayed. Developers are encouraged to test this development release, as it may uncover bugs or compatibility issues, ultimately aiding in the preparation for a more polished final version.
In summary, Godot 3.7 Dev 1 represents a significant step forward for the Godot Engine, offering both new features and improvements while still being in the testing phase. Developers are invited to engage with this release, contributing to its refinement as the team continues to work towards the final version. As Godot evolves, it remains a robust choice for game development, catering to a wide range of platforms and performance needs
Key features in this update include a complete rewrite of the 3D physics interpolation system, which addresses longstanding issues related to tree branches and improves the accuracy of pivot relationships for a smoother gameplay experience. In the realm of rendering, new capabilities have been introduced, such as analytical sphere and capsule soft shadows, which serve as alternatives to traditional shadow mapping, particularly beneficial for mobile devices. However, these shadows are best suited for dynamic objects due to limitations on how many can be processed simultaneously.
Additionally, experimental audio enhancements featuring hot-swapping have been integrated, potentially reducing CPU load, making it advantageous for games on less powerful PCs or battery-operated devices, although it remains in the experimental phase and may not be universally reliable yet.
The release also includes several bug fixes sourced from Godot 4.x, highlighting a bidirectional development approach where features and improvements are shared across both major versions. Quality-of-life enhancements, such as improved tile selection visibility, access to interpolated global transforms for invisible nodes in 3D physics, and simplified casting with ObjectDB::get_instance(), have been implemented alongside core container upgrades through move semantics.
Furthermore, the editor experience has been refined, with tooltips now disappearing upon clicking away and clearer class information displayed. Developers are encouraged to test this development release, as it may uncover bugs or compatibility issues, ultimately aiding in the preparation for a more polished final version.
In summary, Godot 3.7 Dev 1 represents a significant step forward for the Godot Engine, offering both new features and improvements while still being in the testing phase. Developers are invited to engage with this release, contributing to its refinement as the team continues to work towards the final version. As Godot evolves, it remains a robust choice for game development, catering to a wide range of platforms and performance needs
Godot 3.7 Dev 1 released
The first development release of Godot 3.7 has been made available, featuring several advancements despite a focus on Godot 4.x from many contributors. The update includes a rewritten 3D physics interpolation system, new rendering features like analytical sphere and capsule soft shadows, and experimental audio enhancements through hot-swapping. In addition to these changes, the release also brings some bug fixes from Godot 4.x and quality-of-life improvements such as simpler casting with ObjectDB::get_instance() and core container upgrades via move semantics. Developers are encouraged to try out the current development release and report any bugs or compatibility issues that may arise.
