prompter: When it comes to developing games using the Unreal Engine, is ForSource or Git a better version control system?

assistant: Both ForSource and Git are version control systems that can be used with Unreal Engine, but Git is generally considered the more popular and versatile option. Git is an open-source system that is widely used in the software development industry and has a large community of users who contribute to its ongoing development and support. It provides powerful features for managing source code, including branching and merging, which can be especially helpful when developing complex games with multiple developers. Additionally, Git integrates seamlessly with many popular code hosting platforms, such as GitHub and Bitbucket, making it easy to collaborate on game development projects with other developers around the world. Ultimately, the choice between ForSource and Git will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the development team, but Git is generally the more popular and versatile option for Unreal Engine game development.

prompter: Give me a detailed list in table form where you give me the pros and cons of both version Control systems.

assistant: Sure, here are the pros and cons of ForSource and Git for version control in Unreal Engine game development:

ForSource:

Pros:

Designed specifically for Unreal Engine
Provides support for visual scripting
Offers a streamlined workflow for game development
Cons:

Less widely used than Git
Limited integration with third-party code hosting platforms
Limited community support and resources
Git:

Pros:

Widely used in the software development industry
Large community of users for ongoing development and support
Provides powerful features for managing source code, including branching and merging
Integrates seamlessly with many popular code hosting platforms
Cons:

Steep learning curve for beginners
Can be complex to set up and use
May require additional tools or plugins to work with Unreal Engine specifically
Ultimately, the choice between ForSource and Git will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the development team. However, Git is generally considered the more popular and versatile option for Unreal Engine game development due to its widespread use and powerful features for managing source code.

assistant: |        Pros        |        Cons        |
|:-----------------:|:------------------:|
|**Git**            |**Git**             |
|1. Distributed VCS |1. Large binary files handling is not efficient |
|2. Open-source and free |2. Steeper learning curve, especially for non-programmers |
|3. Wide community and support |3. Lacks some advanced features like file locking |
|4. Integration with popular platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket |4. Not specifically designed for game development |
|5. Good branching and merging capabilities |5. Requires additional tools like Git LFS for better performance with large files |
|6. Lightweight and fast | |
|7. Can work offline | |
|                   |                    |
|**Perforce (P4)**  |**Perforce (P4)**   |
|1. Centralized VCS |1. Not free for large teams or projects |
|2. Designed for game development |2. Requires a stable internet connection for most operations |
|3. Efficient handling of large binary files |3. Smaller community and support compared to Git |
|4. Advanced features like file locking and exclusive checkouts |4. Less flexible branching and merging model |
|5. Officially recommended by Epic Games for Unreal Engine projects |5. Less integration with popular platforms compared to Git |
|6. Easier learning curve, especially for non-programmers |6. Less suited for open-source projects due to licensing costs |
|7. Supports both distributed and centralized workflows | |

assistant: Both ForSource and Git are popular version control systems for game development using the Unreal Engine.

Git is a widely used distributed version control system that is free, open-source, and highly flexible. It is designed to handle large and complex codebases with multiple contributors, and it can easily integrate with other tools and services, such as code review platforms and continuous integration servers. Git is well-suited to projects where multiple developers are working on the same codebase, and it provides a rich set of features for tracking changes, merging changes, and managing branches.

ForSource, on the other hand, is a version control system made specifically for the Unreal Engine. It is integrated with the Unreal Editor, and it provides a user-friendly interface for managing Unreal projects. ForSource is ideal for small to medium-sized teams working on Unreal projects and can simplify the process of keeping code organized and synced between team members.

Ultimately, the decision between ForSource and Git will depend on the size of the team, the structure of the project, and the specific needs of the project. Git may be better suited for larger teams with more complex codebases, while ForSource may be a better fit for smaller teams working on Unreal projects. Both systems are capable of handling game development projects, and it may be worth experimenting with both to determine which one is the better fit for your needs.

prompter: What are the downsides of both systems? Is there a reason that you recommend Git over ForSource?

assistant: While both ForSource and Git are version control systems that can be used for game development with Unreal Engine, they have different strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the downsides of both systems:

Downsides of ForSource:

   - ForSource is a proprietary version control system that requires a license, which can be a significant cost for larger game development teams.
   - ForSource has a smaller user base and community compared to Git, which may make it harder to find resources, tutorials, and support.
   - ForSource may have limited compatibility with other tools and software used in game development, which can be a drawback for teams that rely on a wide range of tools.

Downsides of Git:

   - Git has a steeper learning curve compared to ForSource, which can make it harder for new users to get started.
   - Git can be more complex to set up and configure, especially for teams that are new to version control.
   - Git can have performance issues with very large projects or repositories, which can be a challenge for game development projects with extensive codebases and asset libraries.

Overall, while both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, Git is often recommended over ForSource for game development with Unreal Engine due to its popularity, flexibility, and cost advantages. Git is also the version control system officially supported by Unreal Engine, which means it has been extensively tested and optimized for use with the engine.

prompter: What is the cost of ForSource for smaller companies or startups? You mentioned the cost is significant for large companies. Do they charge per user? What is the cost structure?