Game Engines
Ongoing coverage on Game Engines.
Latest coverage
Unreal Engine 6 will merge UE5 and UEFN into 'a single, unified engine'
Epic Games announced significant changes for Unreal Engine 6, including the integration of Unreal Engine for Fortnite into a single, unified engine. The update will shift from C++ to the Verse programming language, incorporate AI tools for models like Claude and Gemini, and aims to make content and code more interoperable across games and ecosystems. Early Access for Unreal Engine 6 is slated for late 2027.
Unreal Engine 5.8 out today, Lumen Light confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2
Epic Games has released Unreal Engine 5.8, featuring a new Lumen Light mode optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2. This mode, which uses irradiance fields with probe occlusion, is twice as fast as the previous Lumen High Quality and allows games relying on global illumination to run at 60 FPS on the console. This advancement aims to improve the performance of Unreal Engine 5 titles on Nintendo's upcoming handheld.
The VFX tech behind Saros: from NGP to Graphite
Housemarque details the evolution of their visual effects technology, from the NGP particle engine used in Returnal to the unified Graphite framework powering Saros. The article highlights advancements in volumetric fog rendering, GPU simulation, and Houdini integration for creating dynamic and reactive in-game environments on PlayStation 5.
League of Legends won't follow TFT to Unreal Engine, but it is changing its client
Riot Games has confirmed that League of Legends will not be transitioning to Unreal Engine, unlike its sister title Teamfight Tactics. Instead, the studio plans to further invest in its custom Hextech Engine, which will also encompass the game's client as part of the 'League Next' initiative. This overhaul aims to create a more seamless experience and address long-standing client challenges, with further details expected after MSI and at Worlds 2026.
Rayman Legends Retold interview: developer on origins, engine, new content, Kung Foot’s big return, and more
Ubisoft Milan production director Alessandro Arndt Mucchi and realization/animation director Marco Renso discuss Rayman Legends Retold, a 3D remake of the 2013 game. The remake features a graphical overhaul, new content including dragon rides and musical stages, and an evolved version of Kung Foot. The project began in late 2023, with development starting in early 2024, and aims to set a new starting point for the Rayman franchise. The game is targeting 60 FPS on Nintendo Switch and will utilize both the Snowdrop engine and the UbiArt Framework.
What engine is Star Fox 2026 running on?
Velan Studios is developing the Star Fox 64 remake, titled Star Fox 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2 using their proprietary Viper Engine. This in-house engine is designed to enhance graphical fidelity, render cutscenes in real-time, and maintain a consistent 60FPS gameplay experience.
Building XBOX Games with Godot: A New Sample to Get You Started Faster
Microsoft has released a new public, source-only sample on GitHub for building Xbox games using the Godot engine. This sample integrates the Microsoft GDK, Xbox Services, and PlayFab, allowing developers to build titles for Xbox on PC directly within Godot. The initiative aims to lower the barrier for developers using Godot to bring their games to the Xbox platform.
2026 - Drift Stage - 0.5.0.4, Current Status: – Priority Update; Return to Active Development.
Drift Stage has received a priority update to version 0.5.0.4, migrating its codebase from Unity 2016 to Unity 2021 to address a critical security vulnerability and improve compatibility with modern hardware and operating systems. This foundational update, while containing some bugs and incomplete features, is a crucial step in resuming active development and was prepared for demonstration at INDIE Games Fest. Future updates will focus on bug fixing, restoring features, and reintroducing Mac and Linux support.
PlayerUnknown announces studio restructure, says he has "reached the limits" of how far he can fund its current iteration
Brandon 'PlayerUnknown' Greene announced a significant restructure for his studio, PlayerUnknown Productions, due to financial limitations. While the development of the ambitious Melba engine will continue with a reduced team, the future of the survival game Prologue: Go Wayback and its developers is uncertain. Greene cited reaching the limits of his ability to fund the studio in its current form as the reason for the downsizing.
Rayman Legends Untold aiming for 60fps on Switch 2 and should feature ray-tracing
Ubisoft Montpellier is targeting 60fps and ray-tracing for Rayman Legends Untold on the Nintendo Switch 2, aiming for parity with the Xbox Series S version through techniques like DLSS. Technical advisor Fabien Delpiano stated that the team is pushing the Snow Drop engine to achieve 60fps across all platforms, including high-end PCs and the PlayStation 5, by optimizing resolution and utilizing DLSS.
In 1997, Warren Spector told us the upcoming PC classic Deus Ex was inspired by Final Fantasy, Miyamoto, and 'the…
A 1997 interview with legendary game designer Warren Spector reveals his early inspirations for the upcoming PC classic Deus Ex, including Final Fantasy VII and Shigeru Miyamoto's work. Spector discussed his move to Ion Storm and his vision for a first-person RPG that blended console accessibility with deep simulation, initially planning to use the Quake II engine before ultimately opting for Unreal.
Rayman Leaks Just Won't Stop, Xbox Outs 4K Edition of Origins
Ubisoft is reportedly working on a 4K, 60fps remaster of Rayman Origins, subtitled Enhanced Edition, which briefly appeared on the Xbox Store. The original game, released in 2012, utilized the UbiArt engine and received a 9/10 score. This remaster is expected to be announced alongside a remake of Rayman Legends.
The Hidden Long-Term Costs of Choosing the Wrong Game Engine
Choosing the right game engine is a critical long-term business decision with significant cost implications throughout a game's lifecycle, not just a technical one. Proprietary and niche engines often lead to higher costs in talent acquisition, platform compatibility, and post-launch support compared to widely adopted commercial engines like Unreal Engine, which benefit from larger talent pools and established tooling.
Epic Games unveils Unreal Engine 6 in new Rocket League teaser
Epic Games has released a teaser for Rocket League showcasing its transition to Unreal Engine 6. The brief video, which also flashed the Unreal Engine logo with a six, hinted at a "new era, new engine" without providing further details on release dates or features. Psyonix, the developer, has not yet offered specifics about the new engine.
Rocket League's Unreal Engine 6 makeover teased as Epic reveals a glimpse of the future
Epic Games and Psyonix have teased a future makeover for Rocket League utilizing Unreal Engine 6. The free-to-play vehicular soccer game, currently running on Unreal Engine 3, received a new trailer showcasing a "new era, new engine" during the Championship Series Paris Major. While no release window was provided, this signals a significant upgrade from the game's decade-old engine.
Epic Games reveals a first look at Unreal Engine 6 with a Rocket League makeover
Epic Games has provided a first look at Unreal Engine 6, showcasing its capabilities with a visual overhaul of Rocket League. A release date for the new game engine has not yet been announced.
Unreal Engine 6 Revealed for Rocket League Update
A new reveal video from the Paris Major showcased the upcoming transition of Rocket League to Unreal Engine 6. The update signifies a new era for the popular vehicular soccer game, with a focus on crowd reactions to the announcement.
Rocket League is the first game shown off in Unreal Engine 6 and it's as shiny as you'd expect
Epic Games and Psyonix revealed Unreal Engine 6 with a brief trailer during the Rocket League Championship Series Paris Major. The teaser showcased significantly enhanced visual fidelity for Rocket League, which has been running on Unreal Engine 3. While no release date was given, the showcase suggests the engine could see games launching within the next year or two.
Rocket League Will Be the First Unreal Engine 6 Title, With A Bold New Look
Psyonix announced that Rocket League will be the first game to utilize Unreal Engine 6, marking a significant visual upgrade from its decade-old Unreal Engine 3 foundation. While no release timeline has been provided, the move signifies a major shift for the popular car-sports hybrid, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney previously highlighting Unreal Engine 6's embrace of a multithreaded approach.
Unreal Engine 6 Revealed With Updated Rocket League Teaser
Epic Games and Psyonix have revealed Unreal Engine 6 through a teaser trailer featuring Rocket League. The new engine promises enhanced visuals and physics for the popular car soccer game, and hints at a more integrated 'metaverse explorer' experience across Epic's titles like Fortnite and Lego Fortnite. Further details on Unreal Engine 6 and the updated Rocket League are not yet available.
