Unreal Engine
In 1995, Tim Sweeney began writing the code that would become Unreal Engine. The project started as a tool for his company's first-person shooter game, simply named Unreal. This initial version relied on software rendering or early hardware accelerators like the 3DFX Voodoo Graphics card. Epic Games later licensed this technology to other studios, expanding its reach beyond their own titles. By 2002, the second iteration of the engine arrived with support for PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles. The final update for this generation shipped in 2005, marking the end of an era for legacy hardware support.
UnrealScript served as the native language for authoring game code before the release of Unreal Engine 4. Chris Norden, lead programmer for Deus Ex, described it as super flexible but noted its low execution speed. At the 2012 Game Developers Conference, Epic announced the removal of UnrealScript from future versions. They replaced it with C++ and introduced Blueprints Visual Scripting as a new visual alternative. Simon Peyton Jones joined Epic Games in December 2021 to work on Verse, a functional-logic language conceived by Sweeney. This new language launched in March 2023 within the Unreal Editor for Fortnite and plans exist to make it available to all users by 2025.
Epic opened the Unreal Engine Marketplace in September 2014 as a digital storefront for content creators. Prior to July 2018, Epic took a 30% share of sales from assets like art models and sound files. Due to the success of Fortnite Battle Royale, the company retroactively reduced its take to 12%. The engine now charges 5% of revenues over US $1 million for commercial use. This royalty fee is waived entirely for games published exclusively on the Epic Games Store. Some content remains free through previously offered assets and tutorials provided directly by Epic.
Jon Favreau and Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic division collaborated with Epic to develop StageCraft technology for The Mandalorian. This system uses real-time rendering to track camera motion around actors on large LED screens. The approach allowed for immediate editing of virtual sets during production. Jon Favreau then shared this technology with Westworld producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. By October 2022, Epic was working with groups at over 300 virtual sets across the world. Orca Studios established multiple filming studios using this method during the COVID-19 pandemic when travel restrictions were active.
In March 2012, Epic announced a partnership with Virtual Heroes to launch Unreal Government Network. This program handles licenses for government agencies including the FBI Academy and U.S. Army physicians. Projects included an anaesthesiology training software and a multiplayer crime scene simulation. Car companies like Rivian utilize the engine in their infotainment systems. Researchers also used it as a basis for exploring pharmaceutical drug molecules. Cable news networks adopted the technology to support real-time graphics for broadcasts.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award in 2018 for 3D Engine Software. The Television Academy granted a Primetime Engineering Emmy Award in 2020 for exceptional developments in broadcast technology. ASIFA-Hollywood presented an Annie Award in 2021 for technical advancement in animation. Game Developer Magazine gave its Front Line Award for Best Game Engine from 2004 through 2012. A Guinness World Record recognized the engine as the most successful video game engine in 2014.
Epic filed legal action against Apple Inc. in 2020 claiming anticompetitive behavior regarding iOS App Store rules. The company uploaded a version of Fortnite that violated specific store allowances, prompting Apple to remove the app. Epic threatened to terminate developer accounts which would have prevented updates to Unreal Engine for iOS and macOS platforms. The court agreed to grant a permanent injunction against Apple to prevent this step. This decision impacted numerous third-party developers who rely on the Unreal Engine for their own projects.
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Common questions
When did Tim Sweeney begin writing the code for Unreal Engine?
Tim Sweeney began writing the code that would become Unreal Engine in 1995. The project started as a tool for his company's first-person shooter game, simply named Unreal.
What programming languages replaced UnrealScript in future versions of Unreal Engine?
Epic announced the removal of UnrealScript from future versions at the 2012 Game Developers Conference. They replaced it with C++ and introduced Blueprints Visual Scripting as a new visual alternative.
How much revenue does Epic Games take from the Unreal Engine Marketplace after July 2018?
Due to the success of Fortnite Battle Royale, the company retroactively reduced its share to 12%. The engine now charges 5% of revenues over US $1 million for commercial use.
Which production companies used StageCraft technology developed by Epic Games?
Jon Favreau and Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic division collaborated with Epic to develop StageCraft technology for The Mandalorian. Jon Favreau then shared this technology with Westworld producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy.
When did Simon Peyton Jones join Epic Games to work on Verse?
Simon Peyton Jones joined Epic Games in December 2021 to work on Verse, a functional-logic language conceived by Sweeney. This new language launched in March 2023 within the Unreal Editor for Fortnite.