How Game Engines Are Driving Scientific Research

Episode 38 unpacks a surprising pivot: game engines like Unreal and Unity are no longer just for making games. Lucas and Luna explore how NASA used Unreal Engine to simulate Mars rover operations for the 2020 Perseverance mission, and how the University of Cambridge built a digital twin of a nuclear fusion reactor inside Unity. They break down why tools built for real-time rendering and physics are now essential in drug discovery, autonomous vehicle training, and climate modeling. Specific numbers: over 40 percent of the top 100 research institutions now use a commercial game engine for simulation work, according to a 2025 Nature Methods survey. The hosts also touch on the business angle — Epic Games and Unity Technologies now have dedicated 'science and industry' divisions generating roughly $300 million in combined revenue annually. If you think game engines are just for entertainment, this episode will change your mind. #GameEngines #ScientificResearch #UnrealEngine #Unity #NASA #MarsRover #DigitalTwin #NuclearFusion #DrugDiscovery #AutonomousVehicles #ClimateModeling #EpicGames #UnityTechnologies #Simulation #NatureMethods #DigitalTwinTechnology #BusinessOfTech #FexingoBusiness Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo