Guerrilla Games co-founder developing European game engine to rival Unreal and Unity

TL;DR

Arjan Brussee, co-founder of Guerrilla Games, is developing ‘The Immensive Engine,’ a fully European-hosted game engine designed to compete with Unreal and Unity. The project emphasizes European compliance and AI integration. Details are still emerging.

Arjan Brussee, co-founder of Guerrilla Games, is developing a new game engine called ‘The Immensive Engine’ aimed at providing a fully European-hosted alternative to dominant US-based engines like Unreal and Unity. The project emphasizes European compliance and AI integration, marking a significant shift in the game development landscape.

Brussee, who also co-founded Boss Key with Cliff Bleszinski, revealed in an interview with De Technoloog that the engine is designed to be fully European-hosted, built by Europeans, and compliant with European rules and guidelines. He stated that no current engine fully meets these criteria, creating a gap in the market for developers seeking more localized options.

The Immensive Engine aims to offer advanced tools for creating 3D worlds, which Brussee indicates are increasingly important beyond gaming, such as in virtual production and simulation. He emphasized that the engine will integrate AI from the ground up, contrasting it with Unreal, which he criticizes for being menu-driven and less adaptable for AI-driven development.

Brussee pointed out that AI technology offers the potential to dramatically reduce development manpower by enabling complex tasks to be handled by intelligent agents. Despite some divisiveness among players regarding AI use, major game companies like Krafton, Square Enix, and EA are investing heavily in AI technologies, signaling industry-wide interest.

Why It Matters

This development is significant because it introduces the possibility of a European-controlled, locally developed game engine that could challenge the dominance of American companies like Epic Games and Unity Technologies. For European studios and developers, this could mean increased independence, compliance with regional regulations, and tailored tools for their specific needs. The focus on AI integration also signals a shift towards more automated and efficient development processes, which could reshape industry standards.

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Background

Currently, the global game engine market is dominated by Unreal Engine from Epic Games and Unity, both US-based companies. While other engines exist, none are fully European-hosted or compliant with European regulations, according to Brussee. His announcement follows a broader industry trend of increasing AI adoption in game development, with major companies investing heavily in AI tools. Brussee’s background at Guerrilla and Epic provides him with extensive experience in engine development and game creation, positioning him well to lead this initiative.

“No one is currently making an engine that is fully European-hosted, built by Europeans, and complies with European rules and guidelines.”

— Arjan Brussee

“Creating usable 3D worlds is becoming increasingly important, certainly for purposes other than just gaming.”

— Arjan Brussee

“If you are smart and know how to put a good framework of AI agents to work, you can do the work of ten or fifteen people.”

— Arjan Brussee

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What Remains Unclear

It is not yet clear when The Immensive Engine will be available for public or commercial use, nor whether it will gain widespread adoption among European or global developers. Details about the engine’s technical specifications, funding, and partnership plans remain undisclosed. Additionally, the industry’s response to this initiative and its potential impact on existing engine dominance are still uncertain.

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What’s Next

Brussee and his team are expected to continue development and potentially showcase early prototypes or demos in the coming months. Industry observers will be watching for partnerships, funding announcements, and community feedback. The next milestones may include beta releases or collaborations with European studios to test the engine’s capabilities.

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Key Questions

When will The Immensive Engine be available for developers?

There is no confirmed release date yet; Brussee has indicated ongoing development and potential future demos or beta versions.

How will this engine differ from Unreal or Unity?

It aims to be fully European-hosted, compliant with European regulations, and designed with AI integration as a core feature, potentially offering more flexibility and regional control.

Why is a European engine important?

It provides European developers with a locally controlled, regulation-compliant alternative, reducing reliance on US-based companies and fostering regional innovation.

What role will AI play in this engine?

Brussee emphasizes that AI will be integrated from the ground up, enabling automation and reducing manpower requirements for complex development tasks.

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