Epic Games' Ambitious Metaverse Vision: Unreal Engine 6 and Interoperability
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has outlined an ambitious plan to create a unified metaverse, leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 6 and fostering interoperability between major gaming platforms. This vision involves connecting games like Fortnite and Roblox, and potentially others using Unreal Engine, into a single, interconnected digital world.
A Shared Metaverse and Economy
In a recent interview, Sweeney highlighted the financial stability that allows Epic to pursue this long-term goal. The plan centers on an interoperable metaverse with a shared marketplace and assets, allowing seamless transitions and shared experiences across different game worlds. This interconnectedness extends to the in-game economies, aiming to create a more robust and trustworthy system for digital purchases.
Unreal Engine 6: The Technological Foundation
Epic's strategy involves integrating its high-end Unreal Engine with the user-friendly Unreal Editor for Fortnite. This combined engine, envisioned as Unreal Engine 6, will allow developers to create games once and deploy them across multiple platforms. This "build once, deploy everywhere" approach is key to enabling the interoperable metaverse.
Sweeney emphasized the collaborative nature of this vision, citing the partnership with Disney as an example of a fully interoperable ecosystem. While discussions with Roblox and Microsoft haven't begun, Sweeney anticipates future collaborations to expand the metaverse's reach.
The Importance of Interoperability and Player Trust
The core principle behind this initiative is the increasing player preference for games that offer shared experiences and long-term value. An interoperable economy, Sweeney argues, builds player trust, encouraging investment in digital goods knowing their value will persist across multiple platforms.
Epic's EVP, Saxs Persson, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the benefits of a federated metaverse that allows players to easily move between different game worlds while maintaining connections with their friends. This approach, they believe, will enhance player engagement and enjoyment. The goal is not to create a monopoly, but rather to foster a collaborative environment where multiple ecosystems can thrive.