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Epic Games Details AI Integration in Unreal Engine 6 and Fortnite Design Processes

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Unreal Engine 6 Announced: Epic Games Shifts to Verse, Embraces Generative AI

Epic Games has announced Unreal Engine 6 (UE6), its next-generation game engine, alongside new details about the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in its design workflows for Fortnite characters and environments. The announcements have prompted at least one game developer to review its collaboration with Epic Games.

Unreal Engine 6 Announcement

UE6 is scheduled for Early Access in late 2027 and will include several major changes.

  • Programming Language Shift: UE6 will replace the C++ programming language with the Verse programming language.
  • AI Integration Tools: The engine will incorporate large language models (LLMs), generative AI tools, and integration with models such as Claude and Gemini. The Epic Developer Assistant (EDA) will be available as an optional tool.
  • Blueprint and Actor Deprecation: Blueprints and the "Actors" system will be deprecated once UE6's framework is mature, with conversion tools provided.
  • Fortnite Editor Integration: Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) will be fully integrated into the engine.
  • Portable Content System: Fortnite cosmetics will serve as the first proof-of-concept for portable content, allowing players' outfits to be used across different games built on UE6.

Company Statements on UE6

Marcus Wassmer, Executive Vice President at Epic Games, stated that the approach to UE6 is "shaping up quite differently" from previous engine versions. He described the goal as enabling collaboration on "much greater scales than ever before" and giving the games industry "a whole new way to grow our ecosystems with cross-promotion, portable player value."

"The intention is to open up Unreal Engine's own systems as open specifications with Verse APIs, defined asset conventions, and documentation that any engine, tool, or studio can implement against."

Wassmer added that the cosmetic portability move is "the first step toward building a shared economy for smart assets... to recognize players' time and spending in a better way."

Generative AI in Fortnite Design

Epic Games published a video on the Unreal Engine YouTube channel demonstrating how generative AI is used in the design of Fortnite characters and in-game locations. The process described includes:

  • Character Design: Artists begin with hand-drawn sketches for ideation, then use AI prompts to create 3D-like images in the concept art stage. Epic states that human artists later correct any errors introduced by AI.
  • Location Design: Sketches in Photoshop, followed by 3D modeling in Blender, then AI-assisted variations (e.g., day/night, meteor strike damage) via Photoshop.
  • Quality Control: "At every stage of the design, artists continue to polish and refine," according to a company statement in the video. "All along the way there are continual reviews... artists are careful to respect originality, track providence of their work, and ensure the finished product meets Epic's high quality standards."

An Epic Games staff member said in the video: "The design is king, AI can generate generic stuff all day, but that's not what we're doing here. It just skips ahead in the timeline so [the artist] can focus on honing in on the design."

The video followed fan questions about AI use for certain in-game assets, which Epic had not previously addressed.

Industry Reactions

Vampire Survivors Developer (Poncle): The developer of Vampire Survivors stated it is "reviewing" its collaboration with Epic Games to feature items based on the game in Fortnite. In a Reddit comment, Poncle cited concerns about Epic's use of generative AI to create game assets, including Fortnite characters.

"Following today's news about gen-AI usage by Epic to create all sort of game assets, including Fortnite characters, we're currently 'reviewing' our collaboration with Fortnite. We'll let you know if anything moves forward."

Other Developer Comments: Game director Mike Bithell commented that Godot is a "very good engine" and "very easy to migrate to." Developer Aura Hack criticized the announcement, stating it treats the industry as "pulp to be fed into the machine."

Background

  • Epic Games laid off approximately 1,000 employees in March 2023.
  • Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney previously argued that AI usage labeling in game stores is unnecessary due to its expected ubiquity. Last year, Sweeney suggested on social media that Valve should drop its AI Generated Content Disclosure label, writing: "It doesn't matter any more... The AI tag is relevant to art exhibits... It makes no sense for game stores, where AI will be involved in nearly all future production."
  • Epic Games has used AI for other purposes, such as generative speech for James Earl Jones' Darth Vader portrayal.