Question about .ma support

Unity Engine
1

My main application for making 3D models is maya. I know Unity 3.0 can read .ma and that is very convenient for me.

My question is if I save my stuff as a .ma or native maya file type will that be optimal for production grade game? In other words, If I went to compile a game that had like 20 levels with hundreds and thousands of assets per level would it be better to use a different format? Like FBX?

Is there a performance difference?

2

it would optimally not exist at all with that many objects likely. Doubt it will go too far.

what model format they come in makes no difference btw

3

Ultimately .ma files are converted into .FBX in the background when importing into Unity anyways.