Godot 4.4 Launches with Jolt Physics, Real-Time Editing, and XR Support

The Godot game engine continues to evolve with the release of Godot 4.4, one of its most significant updates yet. Known for its open-source nature and community-driven development, Godot 4.4 enhances core capabilities in physics simulation, in-game editing, extended reality (XR) tools, rendering systems, and scripting support.

This update is especially notable for its integration of native Jolt Physics, real-time scene editing, and improved XR workflows on mobile and headset platforms. Additionally, .NET 8 support boosts compatibility with modern development environments. These updates position Godot as a versatile tool for both indie projects and commercial-grade productions.

Native Jolt Physics Integration

At the heart of Godot 4.4’s new features is the integration of Jolt Physics, a performance-focused engine designed for speed, stability, and precise control. Previously, developers relied on third-party plugins for Jolt’s capabilities; now, it’s built directly into Godot.

Jolt Physics allows for complex interactions like collisions, rigid body dynamics, and responsive gameplay physics with efficiency. Its lightweight structure minimizes CPU overhead, beneficial for games with dense object interactions or targeting lower-end hardware. This native implementation enhances performance and tightens Godot’s overall physics architecture. Additionally, support for 3D interpolation improves physics consistency across varying frame rates, offering smoother simulation curves.

Real-Time In-Game Scene Editing

A transformative addition in Godot 4.4 is the ability to edit game scenes live during runtime. This feature allows developers to make changes to objects, environments, and logic while the game runs, with adjustments appearing instantly. This capability significantly speeds up iteration, especially for level designers and artists, promoting a dynamic development process.

The in-game editing system is fully integrated into the editor, maintaining Godot’s balance of accessibility and power. Changes made during runtime can be saved if needed, streamlining prototyping and finalization.

Enhanced XR and VR Development Support

Extended Reality (XR), including both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), receives a significant upgrade in Godot 4.4. Android XR support is expanded, allowing for more responsive development on mobile XR platforms. Notably, the Godot editor now supports Oculus VR headsets, enabling developers to interact with their projects in virtual space—ideal for immersive environment design and VR-native game development.

These XR improvements make Godot more viable for developers building immersive experiences, providing better control and broader compatibility.

Rendering and Visual Enhancements

Godot 4.4 brings substantial improvements in rendering. Ubershader support mitigates shader compilation stutters, reducing visual interruptions and speeding up loading times. AgX tone mapping enhances lighting realism and artistic control within 3D environments, offering cinematic-level color grading.

Mac users benefit from an improved Metal rendering backend, optimizing Godot’s performance on Apple hardware as it transitions away from OpenGL.

Asset Pipeline and Usability Improvements

Beyond core engine upgrades, Godot 4.4 includes several quality-of-life enhancements to boost productivity. The Betsy texture compressor optimizes texture import times, crucial for large-scale projects. The Inspector panel now supports pinning favorite nodes and properties, aiding in managing complex scenes. Additionally, the Picture-in-Picture camera preview allows monitoring multiple camera views simultaneously, simplifying UI layout setup and debugging.

Cross-Platform Enhancements

Godot 4.4 extends Linux support for device cameras, aligning with macOS and iOS capabilities. This update allows developers to create apps using live video feeds or AR markers directly on Linux machines. Other cross-platform updates include improved Android deployment workflows, better debugging support, and enhanced engine stability on Windows and Linux.

Conclusion

The release of Godot 4.4 is a major milestone in the engine’s development. With native Jolt Physics, real-time scene editing, and enhanced XR capabilities, it steps closer to feature parity with commercial engines while maintaining its open-source philosophy. Visual enhancements, modern scripting support via .NET 8, and robust cross-platform tools make this version appealing to indie developers, educators, and studios looking for cost-effective production pipelines. These improvements reflect deep architectural upgrades that future-proof Godot for years to come.