Sjoerd De Jong, a renowned Unreal Engine expert and former lead evangelist, has departed Epic Games after 12 years, citing the industry's approach to a pivotal moment. De Jong's journey with Unreal Engine spans 27 years, from modding the original 1998 FPS at 15 to leading its global adoption. His departure coincides with Epic's unveiling of Unreal Engine 6, focusing on interoperability and generative AI.
Vampire Survivors' crossover with Fortnite is under review following Epic's reveal of generative AI usage in game development, sparking mixed community reactions. The move comes as Epic highlights AI's role in speeding up content creation, despite recent layoffs. Fans praise Poncle's cautious stance.
A potential crossover between Vampire Survivors and Fortnite is under review due to Epic's increased use of generative AI in game development. Vampire Survivors developer Poncle expressed uncertainty over the collaboration following Epic's announcement. The move could potentially impact other indie developer partnerships with Fortnite.
Far Far West, the sci-fi fantasy co-op shooter, has achieved a remarkable milestone by selling over 1 million copies in just three weeks on Steam Early Access. Publisher Fireshine Games has simultaneously made a strong stance against the use of generative AI in core game creation, echoing sentiments similar to Hooded Horse. This move contrasts with the industry's mixed approach to AI tools.
Arcanaut Studios' new Star Wars game, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, eschews Generative AI in favor of a lean, creative approach. With a $100 million private investment, the team, led by Mass Effect director Casey Hudson, promises a focused experience, avoiding the bloat of 100+ hour games like Crimson Desert. This strategic move reflects the studio's belief in people-driven development over relying on AI or excessive funding.
Arjan Brussee, former Epic Games technical director, announces The Immense Engine, positioned as a European alternative to Unreal and Unity, integrating generative AI. This move aligns with European efforts to reduce dependency on US tech. The engine aims to serve beyond gaming, including defence simulation.
PlayStation has announced a collaborative initiative with Bandai Namco, focusing on harnessing generative AI to enhance game development while emphasizing human creativity. This partnership aims to address AI's shortcomings, such as consistency, by leveraging multiple models and fine-tuning. The collaboration is part of PlayStation's broader push to utilize AI for productivity, quality assurance, and personalized player experiences.
