Unreal Engine 4 will be ready for next console gen

by Dustin Burg { Jul 24th 2008 at 2:00PM }

Chatting with Gamasutra during Seattle's recent GameFest, Epic Games' Mike Capps confirmed progress on Unreal Engine 4 mentioning that it should be ready for debut "...in the next console generation - our rough guess is 2012 - 2018." Interesting too was confirmation from Capps that the UE4 will have "console focus" where "version 4 will exclusively target the next console generation, Microsoft's successor for the Xbox 360, Sony's successor for the Playstation 3 - and if Nintendo ships a machine with similar hardware specs, then that also. PCs will follow after that."

One can only try to imagine what the next console generation will bring in terms of graphics and physics, especially seeing how amazing some games look using the Unreal Engine 3. One can only dream. But we're welcoming the next, next generation with open arms as we say; bring on the pretty!

Tags: epic, epic-games, unreal-engine, unreal-engine-4

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mattclarkie @ Jul 24th 2008 2:09PM

Well we can assume that MS has confirmed to Epic that they will be launching another gen, and AFAIK Sony always planned a PS4 so I expect the launch of that will be pushed to withing 18months of the neXtboX.

gamerismyname @ Jul 24th 2008 2:27PM

so that means were stuck with the UE3? it's starting to show it's age in some instances; this will show even more as games become bigger, better, and larger.

Digitalspirit @ Jul 24th 2008 2:45PM

Are you for real? I think you need your head testing.

Knight Marquise @ Jul 24th 2008 2:46PM

Oh really?

Please inform me of any other engine out there that's making the UE3 "show its age".

psychohog @ Jul 24th 2008 4:30PM

There always has to be a "Negative Nancy" I guess. But really, UE3 is great right now.

Brian @ Jul 24th 2008 2:18PM

Think about this gen EPIC and worry about next gen when the time comes!

Bill m @ Jul 24th 2008 2:28PM

Well you can't just expect them to rush out a program like this, not to mention UE4 probably won't even run on the current gen systems very well anyway. I say UE3 is looking great for this gen, and there is still a lot of untapped power to come. I can wait for UE4.....just make it pretty!

Teabag @ Jul 24th 2008 2:28PM

It's all planning. They cannot start thinking about the next-gen when the time comes. No company would want to be left behind. Developers want new tech to work with, new hardware, new software, everything.

If Epic starts working on UE4 in 2012, then we won't have any games to play as 95% of the games are made from the Unreal Engine!

Jonah Falcon @ Jul 24th 2008 2:23PM

You have to wonder what dreams will come with UE4.

Odog4ever @ Jul 24th 2008 2:30PM

I wonder if Epic can retain its dominance with the Project Offset Engine looming. (It looks purdy)

Also, any takers on what the future generation of gaming will be called since "next gen" never quite evolved into "current gen" like it should have?

Xoviet chiK @ Jul 24th 2008 3:53PM

Intel kinda killed all hopes of Project Offset (Game) to come to consoles, I hope that doesn't mean making the Offset Engine console-ready is out of the picture though. I doubt we'd see anything this generation if it was left entirely up to licensed developers to port the code.

Dirty @ Jul 24th 2008 2:50PM

Im still trying to keep up with all the latest gen hardware. My wallet wants nothing to do with another gen yet.

JerkfacedFed @ Jul 24th 2008 5:52PM

oh give me a break. a console + game = $350, or a piece of one week's paycheck.

a game is the same as a tank of gas or eating out at for a few meals.

qbix @ Jul 24th 2008 2:52PM

It's hard to say what Nintendo will do for the next generation. I bet it will continue to be underpowered and unable to support high-end game engines. Instead they'll be focusing on some other ways to play. They did it with the DS, they are doing it with the Wii and because their consoles sale like hot-cakes they'll probably do it again.

Oh well, I'll just be playing 4-player co-op Gears of War 3 rendered at 1920x1200 progressive at 60fps on my Xbox [insert next gen branding]. I really hope MS makes it a priority to keep the hardware super cool and super quiet.

Octantis @ Jul 24th 2008 3:01PM

I'm sure they will. MS like any corporation will build the next console to win the last war. So they will for sure fix the noise issues, RROD issues. To look at the 360 vs first Xbox they fixed the size issues and the ugly issues.

It will be interesting to see what the issue will be with the next console. User Interface, Downloadable Gaming, Portability? No way of knowing until we get there.

psychohog @ Jul 24th 2008 4:32PM

I hope nintendo goes with the "sega plan" soon by just making games for all consoles and not making consoles.

OrionnoirO @ Jul 25th 2008 12:42AM

I have thought that before too... Not only would you then get Nintendos games on whatever you like, but they could still market all the accessories and such to make their games play the same as they would on a Wii for example. Wireless sensor bar + Wiimote/Nunchuck + 360 = evolved Wii, not to mention I would think the 360 may even have enough power to emulate the current Wii offering, maybe not, but possibly if well coded.. And in that case, it probably would happen sooner or later anyways by the community.

mattclarkie @ Jul 25th 2008 5:13AM

If there is another Nintendo consoles I expect it will be somewhere near the 360 launch games in terms of graphics.

The Wii is basically last gen in terms of graphics, so they will likely do that again if they have a Wii2.

tanuj dua @ Jul 24th 2008 3:16PM

games are gonna look so sweet on this..

Maverick Saturn @ Jul 24th 2008 3:36PM

Ready in time for 'Gears of four' :)

J.F. @ Jul 24th 2008 3:47PM

Announcing Unreal Engine 4 focusing on and ready for nextgen consoles is maybe just a little keeping attention away from ID software with its
Tech Engine 5?? Because games are gonna be announced this year running on this new ID engine. Epic making good money licensing their UE3 (even Japanese SquEnix is using it ffs!) and promoting it by making showoff* games for it (Gears1 for UE3 for x360, Unreal Tournament III for UE3 on PS3 and Gears2 for the upgraded UE3 1.5v for x360).
I think they want to maintain the attention UE3 gets and the money that Epic receives. I love Epic, I love their games, but I also love ID and am curious about how Quake4 and Doom4 are gonna look and feel like.

PS: I think Epic releasing UTIII on PS3 last november was important for Epic to show all PS3 devs that UE3 could look and play very good (before UTIII all UE3 PS3 games had suffered from comparisons with their x360 UE3 versions looks and gameplay wise).

* showoff: games that are freakin beautiful AND also very good games (gameplaywise)

Magic Whiskey @ Jul 24th 2008 3:52PM

I'd be happy to embrace a new console generation when the technology hits because quite frankly, this existing generation is just a polished version of last generation..for the most part. While stuff looks great, things still could work a hell of a lot better.
Hear me out. I'd love to hear comments, too.

Ignoring downloadable content, voicechat, a working online community and disc storage space, this generation has been altogether a continuation of what we've had since the Xbox and PS2. We've seen small advances in the technology that allows the horizon-line between reality and game world to merge a bit, but not enough in my perspective.

We've seen the 'Disc Generation', and now we're in the 'HD Generation'. Let's enter the 'Real Physics Generation'.

I would love to see the present state and path of HD images coupled PERMANENTLY with real-time, real world physics. Metal always acts like real metal, wood as real wood. Air, gas, liquid and plasma act as they would in reality, completely skewing what we know it as.
Lastly, cloth would act like real cloth. I'm so, so tired of our iconic video game mascots sporting form-fitting armor or clothing that didn't REALLY react to wind, movement, moisture or weight. I'm impressed by the graphics abilities on the PS3 and 360, but as for being blown away...I hope the processing power comes next generation.

I'm a fan of the way things LOOK right now..Gears of War, Call of Duty 4, etc..but when I take up arms and fight guys in these games I'm still living in a world that answers to the developers more than mother nature.

When I walk in a game, I want grass to conform around my ankles. I want mud to allow me to sink, and leave tracks behind. I want to see the distortion and aging that happens in a car's tire. I want leather capes to feel heavier than cotton or silk and move accordingly, but yet lighter than carbon fiber. I want to feel, see and experience humidity on persons, places, and things. I want to see permanent items around a real world environment that I can revisit, even if they're as simple as a cigarette butt, shell casing or dead ant on the concrete. I want to see the transparent factor of human skin, and to see veins flowing blood realistically..based on a real circulatory system of the guy I'm in the ring with. Muscles should move under skin, hair should become oily and sweaty, and underneath it all, there should be a real AI brain at work fighting me with all the attributes a prize fighter would have.

Now, realize not every game should be like this; I don't want to live in a gaming world populated by a sweaty unshaven, zit-faced Mario with grass-stains on his knees, saliva dripping down his chin when he bites into a Power Mushroom, but the technology and tools should be there for everyone to choose to use.

So yeah..I'm impressed by how most games look, but the real soul is yet to come.

scurvyjimbeam @ Jul 24th 2008 5:00PM

You sure your name is magic whisky and not magic mushroom?
But seriously, that was beautiful man!

Magic Whiskey @ Jul 24th 2008 5:10PM

Hah, thanks a lot, Scurvyjimbeam...I can only hope developers have been hard at work on just what I've been craving here.

I'm ready to be mentally shattered again like I was when Nintendo released the 3D era with the N64. I feel that true entertainment ALWAYS doubles as art, and I'm all for giving the digital artists more on their palette to use.

mattclarkie @ Jul 25th 2008 5:18AM

The super powerful computers used for CGI movies can't handle that. There is no way and games console for atleast the next 2 generation could handle half of what you listed.

webster1990 @ Jul 24th 2008 5:37PM

What Dreams May Come, fucking love that movie.
Not as good as Dark Knight though, just got back from the cinemas watching that bad boy at IMAX (i live in the UK, i'm not late to the party lol)

NOT ME @ Jul 24th 2008 11:08PM

whisky Im with you man, looking at many "good looking" games this cycle doesnt blow me away. Hair still looks like stiff wigs rather than clothes. and Ive notice that most games use browns and dark shades to hide the ugly details in the background. even games like MGS4 the buildings an background when you get close looked like a mess. And there are still many jaggies everywhere, there is still some major pop-ups and games like forza proves my point when you look close it looks bad it has jaggies everywhere. on xbox when you scraped the wall you left paint behind, not on the 360 though. I cant wait when games will stop hiding dark colors and shading to cover messy graphics