What do Black Myth: Wukong and Star Wars’ The Mandalorian have in common?
Both use Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, which is expanding beyond video games into TV, film, architectural projects and even car navigation
With its use more commonly associated with hugely popular video games such as Fortnite and Batman Arkham City, the powerful Unreal Engine is becoming a go-to tool for 3D projects beyond the video games industry, from TV news graphics to acclaimed animated series and films.
Created for the 1998 first-person shooter game Unreal by programmer Tim Sweeney – who founded the game’s development company and is now CEO of what it has become: Fortnite developer Epic Games, the engine was soon made available for other companies.
It was a rare move in an industry in which most studios developed their own engines – an expansive term for the software controlling the main characteristics of a game world, such as graphics, physics simulation and sound.
In recent years, the power and ease of use of the Unreal Engine’s latest version have seen it integrated into hit game titles including Black Myth: Wukong and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Tomb Raider star Lara Croft will be crafted in the Unreal Engine in her upcoming adventures too, says Scot Amos, head of studio at developer Crystal Dynamics, which is currently working on two new Tomb Raider games.