Godot 4.4 Game Engine Introduces Embedded Game Window Feature

The open-source game engine Godot has released version 4.4, bringing a host of new features designed to enhance the development experience for both 2D and 3D games. Notably, this update allows developers to embed the game window directly within the editor, enabling a more interactive in-game editing experience, alongside quicker loading times and the experimental integration of the Jolt Physics engine.

Previously available as an extension, Jolt Physics has been integrated directly into Godot, marking a significant advancement for developers who have relied on this C++-based library since its introduction in 2022. This integration, while still labeled as experimental, allows developers to activate Jolt Physics within their project settings, offering an alternative to the existing Godot Physics engine that succeeded the Bullet engine in version 4.0. Developers are encouraged to consult the documentation to determine the compatibility of their projects with Jolt Physics.

In addition to Jolt Physics, the new version offers features aimed at streamlining the development process. One of the standout updates is the interactive in-game editing capability, which allows developers to click on elements within a scene directly from the editor and move the camera relative to those objects. This functionality aims to simplify scene management and enhance workflow efficiency.

Another significant addition is the ability to embed the game window within the editor itself. Traditionally, the game and editor ran as separate processes, which helped safeguard against data loss during crashes. However, with version 4.4, developers can now have the game window embedded, which is particularly beneficial for developers working with limited screen space, such as those using a single monitor or a laptop.

This embedded feature is currently available for developers on Linux, Windows, and Android. However, due to technical reasons, macOS support will require a different implementation approach. The Godot team has noted that similar features are already present in other game development software, facilitating a smoother transition for developers switching between different technologies.

Additional updates in version 4.4 include improved loading times for the editor, especially for larger projects, enhancing both project startup speed and the efficiency of file system scanning operations. Furthermore, developers can now finalize projects directly on Android, eliminating the previous necessity to switch to a different operating system for generating binaries for various platforms. This allows for a comprehensive development process entirely within the Android environment.

Before migrating to the new release, developers should refer to the migration guide, which outlines significant changes compared to version 4.3. For more detailed information on the new features, developers can explore the Godot blog, documentation, and the release page on GitHub, where the source code is also available for download. Godot can be accessed from the official website.