Unreal Engine 6 Wants to Make One Giant Metaverse with All the Games

Epic Games' Ambitious Metaverse Vision: Unreal Engine 6 and Interoperability

Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, recently outlined the company's ambitious plans, centering around the development of Unreal Engine 6 and its integration into a larger, interoperable metaverse.

A Unified Metaverse Ecosystem

In a conversation with The Verge, Sweeney revealed Epic's vision for a metaverse where different gaming platforms, including Fortnite, Roblox, and other Unreal Engine-powered games, can seamlessly interact. This interconnectedness extends to the marketplace, allowing for shared assets and a unified economy. Sweeney emphasized Epic's strong financial position, stating that the company is well-equipped to execute this long-term vision.

The core of this vision lies in the evolution of Unreal Engine. Epic aims to merge the power of its high-end game engine with the user-friendly interface of the Unreal Editor for Fortnite, creating a powerful yet accessible development environment. This ambitious project, expected to take several years, will culminate in the release of Unreal Engine 6.

Unreal Engine 6's anticipated capabilities include a "build once, deploy anywhere" approach, allowing developers to create games compatible across various platforms. This will foster the interoperability central to Epic's metaverse vision, enabling shared content and technology. A partnership with Disney illustrates this concept, with plans to create a Disney ecosystem that seamlessly integrates with Fortnite. While discussions with Roblox and Microsoft haven't begun, Sweeney anticipates future collaborations.

A Shared Economy and Increased Player Engagement

The proposed model emphasizes a shared economy, aiming to increase player trust and spending. Sweeney argues that an interoperable economy encourages players to invest in digital goods, knowing they'll retain value across multiple platforms. This contrasts with the current model where purchases might become obsolete if a player stops using a specific game.

Epic EVP, Saxs Persson, echoed Sweeney's vision, emphasizing the benefits of a federated metaverse where players can easily transition between different games, fostering longer playtime and increased engagement. The focus is on building upon the successful elements of Fortnite, expanding its core principles to a broader metaverse. The strategy acknowledges the diverse gaming landscape, recognizing that a single entity is unlikely to dominate the entire metaverse.