Version control software for game development - Anchorpoint (original) (raw)

In a nutshell

Anchorpoint integrates with Git and uses metadata to extend its functionality for game development related workflows. Here is how it works.

Is Anchorpoint a Git client?

Anchorpoint can be used as a standard Git client, as it can push and pull to Git repositories.

To meet the requirements of working with heavy binary files and non-technical users, Anchorpoint uses a metadata system for file locking and centralised Git configurations, as well as asset management features such as tagging.

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Can I use Dropbox, Google Drive and Git?

Yes, but the correct answer is "it depends".

You should use Git for your game engine and art assets (Blender, Substance, etc.), and a Dropbox, Google Drive, or NAS for all files that should not be versioned (e.g. image sequences, asset library, game builds).

Next to your version control application, Anchorpoint can be also used to manage your asset library.

Is Git a good plattform for game development?

Git is by far the most commonly used version control system in software development. It has evolved considerably over the last five years and is now much more effective for large-scale gaming projects.

To address the limitations of Git for games, AR/VR projects, and other interactive projects, Anchorpoint uses an extended Git metadata system and a user interface that is easy enough for a 12-year-old to understand.

Git is open-source software that does not impose lock-in effects. It has the largest ecosystem of knowledge, tools, and services.

Do you have any plug-ins for Unreal, Unity, Godot or other tools such as Blender?

Yes, we have an Unity and Unreal Engine plugin that allows you to view file locks and commit directly from the editor.

You can find more information on our integrations page

Can a dev work with SourceTree (or similar) and an artist with Anchorpoint?

Yes, you can. However, bear in mind that certain features are only available in Anchorpoint. File locking and centralised Git configurations, for example, are Anchorpoint-only features.

If you don't use these Anchorpoint exclusive Git features, you'll be fine with another Git client.

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Version control without lock in effects

Anchorpoint is based on Git, the open source version control system is used by 93% of developers all over the world.

Git compatible

Connect to your favorite Git server and upload your project with a few clicks.

File locking using Anchorpoint with Git version control on a unity project

Fail safe

Prevent losing hours of work using file locking on blueprints, scenes or anything else.

And if something breaks, you can safely go back.

thumbnail support for unreal engine files in anchorpoint

It’s visual

Quickly review what your team has done. Inspect commits and annotate directly on files to provide feedback.

asset management in anchorpoint by organizing a folder structure

For your art assets

Anchorpoint goes beyond just committing.

Build your asset pipeline, involving everything that comes before the game engine.

Selective checkout

Work with TB-sized Git repositories by downloading only what you need

Large file support

No need to configure Git LFS. Anchorpoint does that for you.

File locking

Prevents team members from overwriting the wrong files

Tags and annotations

Organize assets with metadata. AI-powered tagging makes every file easy to find.

Review tools

Comment and annotate any image, video, or audio without using an external review tool

Python API

Build integrations and tailor Anchorpoint to your workflow.

Fits seamlessly in your pipeline

Anchorpoint can be used with any cloud service, 3D software and game engine.

Git servers

Create repositories and add members to your Git server directly from Anchorpoint.

File sync solutions

Use Anchorpoint Asset Management with your existing storage solution.

Game engines

Use version control with Unreal Engine, Unity or Godot to collaborate on your projects.

DCCs

View thumbnails, review and approve assets before they go into the game engine.

Learn more about integrations

Frequently asked questions

Is Anchorpoint just another Git client?

No, Anchorpoint is more than just a Git client; it is a dedicated version control solution for game development. While it is 100% compatible with Git, it adds essential game-dev features that standard Git clients lack, such as file locking and the ability to handle binary files without complex prior configuration.

Do I need to host my files on Anchorpoint’s servers?

No. We believe in a no lock-in approach. Anchorpoint does not host your files; instead, it requires an existing Git server like GitHub, or a self-hosted solution.

How does Anchorpoint help artists who aren’t familiar with Git?

Anchorpoint is specifically designed for non-technical users such as artists who want to work with as little interaction with the production pipeline as possible. We simplify the experience by using simple analogies—for example, explaining that a Git commit is like "making a checkpoint for your project"—and providing a metadata system for tagging and searching assets.

How fast is the file locking system?

Our file locking system is built for performance and can lock 1,000 files in under a second. This centralized configuration extends Git’s capabilities to prevent team members from overwriting each other's work on binary assets. You can easily work with large Unreal Engine maps with a lot of actors.

Can we customize Anchorpoint to fit our specific studio pipeline?

Yes. While we guide non-technical users toward a "90% use case" for ease of use, we allow a high degree of customization through UI customization and APIs. This allows DevOps engineers to integrate Anchorpoint into existing processes and automate the asset pipeline.

How does Anchorpoint handle massive project files?

Anchorpoint uses Git LFS (Large File Storage) to manage the heavy binary assets common in game development. It is designed to handle TB-sized repositories without compromising performance. To keep your local workflow fast, Anchorpoint utilizes:

Sparse Checkout: Only download the specific folders or assets you need to work on, saving disk space.
Shallow Clone: Download only the latest version of the files instead of the entire project history, significantly reducing initial setup time.

Who is currently using Anchorpoint in the industry?

Anchorpoint is used by hundrets of studios worldwide. Our customers include industry leaders such as Supercell, InnoGames, Cipsoft, Service Plan Group, Kluge Interactive, and Eyeline Studios (by Netflix).