Unreal – Legendary Video Game Engine

Back in 1998 gamers were being introduced to the true power of graphical technology. Dedicated graphics cards were the talk of the industry, and their ability to massively improve graphics the stuff of legend. A race arose among video game developers to create the best looking games, and PC gamers scrambled to afford a graphics card.

Many games at the time made use of accelerated graphics, but one game stood apart for delivering a next level gaming experience. Unreal. Created by Epic Games and released in 1998 the game made use of the most advanced graphics technology available, blowing minds with coloured and volumetric lighting. It was an incredible sight in 1998, so much so that many could scarcely believe their eyes.

The game itself, however, was not especially impressive. The game was instead a sort of advert for it’s engine. Or, more specifically, an invitation for other developers to make games using the technology.

Unreal Evolution

As the years passed, many more Unreal games were released. The focus, however, became more on arena style shooting, as opposed to the more traditional single player experience. With games like Half-Life taking the crown in the single player department, Unreal shifted instead into specialising for multiplayer gamers.

But another interesting development occurred. As had been anticipated, many other developers decided to make use of the Unreal engine, or the software used to make the games. Soon the creators of the Unreal game began to make more money licensing out the engine, as opposed to making actual games.

A Game Engine King

By 2007 the Unreal Tournament series was on it’s third entry, using the Unreal Engine 3 to be created. The game itself was impressive and well loved, offering an enormous variety in arena style shooting action.

But by this time Epic Games was licensing out the Unreal Engine to multiple other game developers. Unreal Tournament 3 was, more than anything, simply an advertisement for the Unreal Engine 3. And, as had been expected by Epic Games, the engine was a smash hit. Dozens of developers jumped at the chance to use the engine, given it’s flexibility, incredible user friendly nature, and relative affordable cost.

Through the late 2000s when playing Bingo for money was at an all time high, and still today, many modern games are using the Unreal Engine 3. So many games, in fact, that a gamer is almost guaranteed to have played a game made in the engine.

Unreal Engine 4

 In 2014 the Unreal Engine 4 was released, with many being blown away by the capability of the new technology. Offering equal flexibility as the previous engine, but with massively improved visual quality, developers scrambled to get their hands on the new tools.

Many modern games are created using the Unreal Engine 4, with ever more anticipated in the near future. If anything, the video game industry would not be same were it not for Epic Games and their game Unreal, released in 1998. One can only imagine the improvements to be seen in Unreal Engine 5.