In June, Sjoerd De Jong, a prominent figure in the Unreal Engine community, made headlines with his departure from Epic Games after a notable 12-year tenure as the company’s lead evangelist for Unreal. His exit was marked by a thought-provoking message, hinting at the industry’s current “pivotal point” and his desire to explore new avenues in response to the evolving landscape of video game development.
Charting New Territory
Recently, De Jong shared insights into his future endeavors during an interview with This Week in Videogames. He unveiled his ambitious plan to create a game engine of his own, a venture that reflects his vision for the future of game development. He noted that while established engines like Unreal and Unity continue to grow, they also accumulate complexities over time. This observation has led him to ponder the necessity of a fresh, modern engine designed from the ground up.
De Jong expressed his thoughts on the current state of game engines, stating, “As Unreal and Unity get bigger and bigger, there’s more and more baggage that builds over time.” This sentiment underscores his belief that the industry could benefit from a streamlined alternative that better accommodates the changing needs of developers.
Looking ahead, De Jong envisions a significant role for large language models (LLMs), generative AI models, and tools such as Claude and Codex within the gaming ecosystem. However, he remains cautious about the capabilities of existing engines and development tools, which he feels were primarily designed for human developers. “I’m skeptical that those existing engines or existing development tools can truly serve agentic AI,” he remarked.
His new project, tentatively named Immens, aims to provide a more adaptable development platform for AI integration. De Jong clarified that while Immens will be designed to facilitate interactions with AI, it is not merely an “AI engine.” Instead, it is a comprehensive game engine that is inherently compatible with AI architecture.
Importantly, De Jong emphasized that the role of developers remains crucial in this evolving landscape. He stated, “We don’t want users to just press a button and generate a game, releasing it alongside the other five million games people have made that way.” This perspective highlights his commitment to maintaining the artistry and craftsmanship that defines game development, even as technology continues to advance.
