Sign on Options
Theme: [Light Selected] To Dark»

Epic not working on Unreal game

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Company president Mike Capps says there are no projects in the works for its iconic first-person shooter franchise.

It's been almost four years since Unreal Tournament III debuted on the PC, and it's likely going to be a few more before fans of the first-person shooter franchise have a new version to look forward to. In a recent interview published by Forbes, Epic Games president Mike Capps said a new installment in the series is not among the North Carolina-based developer's five current projects.

When asked about the series' impact on the studio's evolution, Capps said, "Unreal and Unreal Tournament continue to have a huge influence on the studio here, even though we're not currently working on an Unreal IP project."

Originally released in November of 2007 on the PC, Unreal Tournament III found its way to the PlayStation 3 the next month, with an Xbox 360 edition trailing in July of 2008. The PC and PS3 editions combined to ship more than 1 million units in 2007, but could not boost the financial fortunes of publisher Midway Games.

For more on the series' most recent installment, check out GameSpot's review of Unreal Tournament III.

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Post comment as twitter logo facebook logo
Sort: Newest | Oldest
GAMBINO85 5 pts

i like this game better than gears lol

Asheileon 10 pts

I like some of the never type shooters just fine, but the UT and CS style gameplay is the only thing that makes a really good MP shooter. Seeing as CS never stuck to me and I'm a sci-fi nut I've been a UT fan since the first one back when the simple FPS games ruled the PC so I'm actually really disappointed to hear that Epic isn't working on a new title. Fast and insane is how an FPS is supposed to be.

rasputin177 6 pts

the game looks great? Even four years ago it does not seem that way to me. Everything looks muddy and dirty.

FusionRain 10 pts

@Marscaleb It's clear to me now that we were on different pages. I should have emphasized that the only reason I stated that in the first place was because oldbomb said "Epic's only churning out crap since UT3." Which is bs. Weather you like the games or not, to say that is pretty bold. I was only standing up for a company I really like. Pointing out goods weather it be games or engine. Not to be "that guy" but, anything els we need to go over? Anything els we need to talk about? Seems like we

Marscaleb 5 pts

@FusionRain I believe that when he says "everything they made" he is talking about the games Epic made, not the engine, and that is the same division I make when I agree with him (to a lesser extent; I don't think GOW was "crap," just not fun.) Batman Arkham Asylum was an awesome game. But Epic didn't make it. If it was made with a different engine it would still be an awesome game. Maybe not as great-looking and maybe a few bits might be cut, but it was Rocksteady's efforts that made the game awesome. So yes, someone can still like Unreal Engine games but think that Epic isn't making good games. And I have no problem with Epic working on a new IP. I only said I was worried that I will find it disappointing. Even if they made Unreal 3 I would be worried that I would be disappointed. Everything they have made in the last six years (even some things in UT3) suggests to me that Epic's tastes and my tastes are growing apart. I would love to be proven wrong, but until I am, I'll still be worried.

FusionRain 10 pts

@Marscaleb I don't see how that has to do with games using the engine. To name a few, Mass Effect, Bio Shock, Batman Arkham Asylum, and Bullet Storm. If none of those titles seem good then Idk what you are playing. Also, why can't they work on a new ip? People want the same thing but get upset when their is "no difference". How about they work on something new? Don't get me wrong I love Unreal Tournament, and I still have it on my PC, I just don't see the need to bash people who has achieved so much. The only way I can see Unreal Tournament making a return is in a free to play mmo style. (complete with micro transactions)

Marscaleb 5 pts

@FusionRain We're all entitled to our opinions. And just because everyone likes an ENGINE doesn't mean that the GAME running on it is worth playing. I didn't like Gears of War either, and there are a lot of us who are worried that we'll be disappointed with their next release too.

Marscaleb 5 pts

@MonkeyStachmo99 What new engine? They're just keeping UE3 updated and have not said anything or even suggested that they were working on a major overhaul or Unreal Engine 4. They had a video to show what games might look like in the future, but there was nothing in it that was a "new engine," just pushing shader and lighting models beyond what current computers can handle.

Marscaleb 5 pts

If you read the actual Forbes article, it is way less of a deal than this article makes it sound. It's just an after-thought there; just saying "No we're not working on an Unreal IP right now," a fact that isn't really a surprise. But this article, headlining and focusing on that one comment, makes it sound like a big deal. They're either going to put their efforts into a flagship franchise like Gears of War is, or they'll be making a new Unreal title within three years. That's my thought.

Dragonsingh3000 5 pts

@zidan4000 thanks for clearing that up, i thought that was a showcase for there new engine, didn't think it was unreal3 engine :-)

MonkeyStachmo99 5 pts

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Shadownk 6 pts

i thought UT games are just tech demo of their Unreal engine lol

Targzissian 6 pts

UT3 was one of the few "real" shooters I've played, and I got pretty into it for a while. I guess I played it up until my PC crashed in early 2009. Haven't bothered installing it since getting my gaming laptop later that year. I've also played S.T.A.L.K.E.R. but that's more RPG than shooter.

godzillavskong 43 pts

@zidan4000 Help refresh my memory, which movies have these scrawny kids as heroes? I really don't have to have some of the characters to be scrawny, more less normal sizes, instead of everyone being lugging brutes. I love the games, just saying that it would be nice if they changed it up a bit with the characters. Not all of them have to be huge.

MonkeyStachmo99 5 pts

Unreal Tournament 3 is way too under appreciated. Look I have all Unreal Tournament games. I still strongly believe they ALL are great and amazing. I don't understand why some people are complaining too much about Unreal Tournament 3. To be honest, at first, I thought UT3 was terrible. But I added a lot of tweaks and delicious mods. I then was mindblown.... Epic needs to see how amazing PC community has been giving to Epic. Lately, I feel like Epic is leaving behind PC. So please make Unreal Tournament 4 with the new engine for the next generation period. It does not have to be for the consoles. The PC version would be extremely delightful!!!

Hwacha28 5 pts

I still play UT3, so I'm ok with this. I'd certainly like a new one, but I can live without it for now.

Iffy350 8 pts

I didn't like Unreal 3. I thought UT2004 was a better online game. Epic did gears, I didn't know that. I now know why I haven't played any games from Epic in the past few years. I prefer the PC for shooters.

soulreaver2111 5 pts

UT3 and UT 2003, have the same problem; less game modes and maps

turok0 6 pts

at least they should release Gears of War 2 and 3 for PC

NoodleFighter 5 pts

Till then we can all just play Tribes Ascend when it comes out for those of you that missed old school shooters like UT, Quake, and the original Tribes games.

nemesis4x 5 pts

Epic abandoned PC for gears of war, so i am not surprised about this.

FusionRain 10 pts

@oldbomb So I guess Gears of War is crap? I don't think you can give Epic Games any put down when it seems like their engine is being used by every other game.

StSk8ter29 19 pts

It's my opinion that they completely messed up the style of Unreal with Unreal Tournament 3. Instead of sticking with the brightly colored armor and ridiculous venues of 2004 they went for realism and threw a brown and grey filter over the whole thing. Yes it was still ridiculously fast, but it had lost so much of it's visual personality. Unreal Tournament is not Gears of War, it has it's own unique visual style.

blackace 6 pts

The last Unreal game didn't do very well, so it's no surprise that they aren't rushing to do another one.

steveguttenberg 26 pts

That's pretty iconic of Epic. I can't wait to play whatever iconic game they iconically make next. Wait, "iconic" means whatever I want it to mean, right? Thought so. Good. I'm going to go eat an iconic bowl of cereal.

Son_of_Bmore 5 pts

WOW! 4 a second I tought this was Giant Bomb

GamerLegend10 52 pts

@oldbomb @Spartan765 lol it hurts my eyes

oldbomb 5 pts

Epic's only churning out crap since UT3. Epic if you are reading this, please stick to UT. that was magic. Please give us fans a new game to cherish.

nini200 6 pts

All I want is an HD Remake or "Reimagining" of Unreal Tournament 99 on WiiU-niverse.

alecrast82 5 pts

Best FPS multiplayer ever, cant wait for a new one

Ultramarinus 18 pts

I will once again buy from them when they make UT4. UT is the game that made Epic and them ignoring it will eventually hurt them when GoW fades. Not to mention that it's the franchise that Epic is going to be remembered for in the future.

steelmouth 13 pts

i never dd finish Unreal Tournament 3 after owning it for 2-3 years, i never dd get into ol the hype

GabrielOnuris 11 pts

Unreal games were only a showcase for Epic's engines; a great game indeed, but still a showcase (like Half Life with Valve). Epic is rich already with it's engines, until they make a new one, why bother with a simple showcase? Why bother with the players who put them on top? Gears of War franchise is selling very well, so they're as happy as a little girl.

GamerLegend10 52 pts

@unacomn lol there isnt going to be a gears 4...GOW3 was the last in the series...maybe it will make a return in the future but for now its finished.

GamerLegend10 52 pts

Unreal Tournament 1 was amazing....i hope they take their time with the next addition and make it just as good.

shnull 5 pts

how can you possibly compare one of the flagships of pc-gaming with a console shooter ? Until they get the same movement and reaction speed there's nothing to compare

AcidSoldner 7 pts

Why the **** not!? Unreal is what put you on the map in the first place...

davedrastic 5 pts

I bought UT3 pre-owned and only played it once. It seemed quite good but fairly dated - especially graphics / art style wise. And there's so many more games which to me have a more interesting and realistic setting.

73X 5 pts

Can't say I care all that much. UT3 was disappointing.

Frankenstrat247 7 pts

@gzader certainly looks that way. Damn shame too. Really wish a new Unreal would come out at some point...

macca366 10 pts

I think a new Unreal would only be somewhat successful on PC. The way Unreal plays would seem too outdated and stale for the console market. Since Epic are finding more success in console development, that rules the first point out. The second point is difficult, releasing it on all platforms whilst also making the game 'unreal' but also fresher and more interesting would be a hard balancing act. Just my opinion. Personally I'd rather they move forward and do a new major IP now that Gears has wrapped up

stanfieldr1 5 pts

They really need to rethink this statement. Unreal Tournament was one of the games that helped launch online gaming beyond services like TEN. (The old Duke3d crowd will remember that one.) Quite frankly, I'm kinda sick of the ultra serious military first person shooter archetype, and the Halo clones. Hell, bring back the Morpheus map, and the battles on top of the ships. Was a blast to launch people into deep space with the rocket launcher. But I guess this is just another case of a company abandoning their original fanbase to appease the console masses.

AiGeeEn1 6 pts

No problem. I spent enough money on Gears 3. That's where the REAL MONEY is. As what everyone NOW knows based on the REVIEWS. If I'm having the need to play a first person "Epic" made game then I'll play Bulletstorm.

BloodMist 15 pts

Well they did completely screw the series over when they released a game that was vastly inferior to UT2004 in pretty much every way.But they have their cash cow, and it's all too obvious that is all they care about now, making lowest common denominator appealing cash cows.

zidan4000 5 pts

@godzillavskong I think it is actually a good thing , in an era of movies where the heroes are scrawny little kids , it is very refreshing to see games getting the concept of macho men right , like in the 80's you know?

Conversation powered by Livefyre

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Unreal Tournament 3

Unreal Tournament III Boxshot
Follow:
  1. Not Following
    Xbox 360: Follow
  2. Not Following
    PC: Follow
  3. Not Following
    PlayStation 3: Follow

Follow for the latest news, videos, & tips from experts & insiders

GameSpot Fuse
    Platforms:

    Related Games