The March version of the Unreal Development Kit has been released. Loads of new and updated documentation as well.

Autodesk FBX format support (FBX version 2010.2)

• Static meshes, skeletal meshes and animations can now be imported from FBX files
• The FBX format is supported by many 3D modeling packages including 3ds Max, Maya, and MotionBuilder.
• Download FBX plug-ins from Autodesk

Interactive Static Meshes

• Static meshes can now be configured so that all instance of that mesh placed in a level can become dynamic and react with physics when shot or pushed, giving the environment a more interactive feel.
• The advantages of this implementation are:
  • Consistent behavior - all objects using that mesh will be interactive, instead of it depending on level designer set up.
  • Transparent to meshing - L.D.s don't have to do anything special, but they can prevent specific objects from being able to become dynamic when necessary.
  • These meshes are lit like any other static meshes until they move so there is no visual impact to using this system.
  • No additional performance or memory cost to these meshes except during the short period when a mesh is being physically simulated.
• This system is intended for use with small decorative meshes that don't have any gameplay implications.
  • The interactivity is client-side and is not replicated.

New Attachment Editor

• For displaying and modifying object relationships
• Lets you view and edit the attachment graph for a selected set of actors

mipmap sharpening

• Increases perceived resolution of textures w/o memory or performance impact

Property window favorites

• Simply mark a property as a favorite and it will always be displayed at the top of your property window.
• Combined with the search capability, this will greatly stream-line data access in the Unreal Editor.

Declaring that the Borderlands DLC would become a template for future games, Take-Two CEO Ben Feder also let slip that they would "continue to support the title with more digital content" Eurogamer has more.

Coming this summer to Xbox 360 (LIVE Arcade), PS3 (PlayStation Store) and PC is Blacklight: Tango Down, an Unreal Engine 3 title from Ignition Entertainment and Zombie VR Studios.

Today we’re announcing a new game set to ship this summer – Blacklight: Tango Down – a multiplayer-focused first person shooter that brings AAA quality and production values (like an Unreal Engine 3 powered core) and delivers it through downloadable channels like Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PlayStation Store, and on personal computer.

You can also find a teaser trailer of the downloadable game at Gamespot

Waaay back in July 2008 the 3D Buzz "Old School Level Design Contest" wrapped up and an attractive level called DM-WhiteRealm was declared the winner. One of the prizes to be delivered was a video review of the map by none other than Cliff "don't call me CliffyB" Bleszinski.

At long last... Cliff Bleszinski reviews DM-WhiteRealm.

3D Palace is running a contest called Guns for Games, with the end-goal of - drumroll please - awarding prizes for the best user-created in-game weapons. The mighty ShockRifle serves as inspiration and the rules are as follows:

Guns in Games. A Staple of the modern gaming industry, what can make a game work where others fail is the guns it uses - the Shock Rifle for example is a well known weapon that is a signature of the Epic Unreal III game engine.

What 3D-Palace STA wants of you is a gun inside a next generation game engine. You can use UDK, the Doom3 engine, the Source Engine, we dont mind at all. There are three levels and three prizes - depending on your level of competence. It doesnt have to be steampunk however it does have to be cool!

• LEVEL 1. You will create your gun model suitable for a game engine and under 10,000 polygons. You will show a screen capture of your gun - textured or untextured - inside the game engine. You will also show wireframes and final renders in the 3d package you created your gun in.
• LEVEL 2. You will create the gun as above in level 1 however you will also create a multimillion polygon normal map which you will apply to the weapon. The weapon will be shown in game with its normalmap applied as well as renders of the normal and low polygon in your 3d application with wireframes.
• LEVEL 3. You will create your weapon as seen in level 1 and 2 however you will fully texture your weapon and have it shown being held and fired in a game engine.

PRIZES.

3rd Place - 3 Months of Sponsor Membership and Bioshock 2 on Steam.
2nd Place - 3 Months of Sponsor Membership and prize TBA
1st Place - 6 Months of Sponsor Membership and prize TBA