Games are being developed for FREE with the Unreal Development Kit – many of them made by users in the community and some have formed teams to produce some stunning free games. All of these games run standalone and do not require UT3 to play them. They range from first person shooters to real-time strategy games, you can find details of three of the most popular UDK games below.

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Prometheus

Prometheus is a mission-based, single-player co-op game in the spirit of “Portal” and “Mirror’s Edge.” By using the Prometheus Device, players bend the laws of Einsteinian physics using the theory of quantum states, meaning that goals are accomplished by completing missions with your past, present and future selves.

This standalone version of “Prometheus” was created using UDK. You’ll need to keep your wits about you and your memory sharp in solving puzzles presented with this unique game play mechanic. Progression through the story introduces new challenges, with tasks increasing in difficulty, and a final dramatic conclusion questions present loyalties and even your own existence..

Click to read more and download the game.

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Sanctum

Sanctum is a single-player first-person tower defense game set in a beautiful science fiction world.
Defend your hometown from invading hordes of mysterious, hostile alien creatures by building defensive structures and using upgradeable hand-held weapons.

Developed by the talented team at Coffee Stain Studios, Sanctum will challenge you to come up with innovative strategies to survive wave after wave of diverse enemies with varying tactical abilities. Activate and reinforce towers, and leverage the environment to increase your strategic advantage over rivals.

You can also follow Coffee Stain Studios on Twitter and Facebook. If you prefer to download the above video you can get it here. (116 MB Windows Media file. Right click, Save as.) Join in the Sanctum discussion on the UDK Forums.

Click to read more and download the game.

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The Ball

Originally developed as a mod for Unreal Tournament 3, The Ball is a first-person action puzzle game that has been updated and revamped for retail and online distribution using UDK. Teotl Studios won multiple honors for The Ball in the $1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest, and publisher Tripwire Interactive plans to release the game in fall 2010.
The Ball serves up addictive, puzzle-based first-person action in which players manipulate a mysterious metal sphere to traverse levels and take out enemies.

The game’s developer, Teotl Studios, has created a standalone demo version of The Ball using UDK. Be sure to check out their extensive game creation tutorial!

Look for future releases of The Ball as we await the commercial version published by Tripwire Interactive. Get the scoop on Teotl Studios and The Ball at http://www.theballthegame.com. The above video is also available for download here (mp4). Be sure to join in “The Ball” discussion on the UDK Forums.

Click here to read more and download the game.

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More and more game development companies are starting to release modding, source-code and development tools for communities to take advantage of, one recent example is the free release of Alien Swarm and base-code from Valve.

Check out the Unreal Development Kit Showcase for more games and information on the packages available.