Epic Games has launched an early access version of Unreal Engine 5 to let developers begin testing features and start prototyping upcoming projects.

The early access build contains notable new features including a virtualized micropolgyon system called Nanite that lets users create games with "unprecedented amounts of geometric detail," and a new fully dynamic global illumination solution called Lumen (pictured below).

"Nanite intelligently streams and processes only the detail you can perceive, largely removing poly count and draw call constraints, and eliminating time-consuming tasks such as baking details to normal maps and manually authoring LODs -- freeing you up to concentrate on creativity," said Epic, outlining some of the flagship features.

https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/unreal-engine-5