Unreal Engine Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Epic Games is killing three popular Fortnite game modes after laying off 1,000 employees

Epic Games has announced the discontinuation of three modes from Fortnite: Rocket Racing, which will be removed in October 2026; Ballistic, which will be taken offline on April 16, 2026; and Battle Stage, also ceasing operations on April 16, 2026. This decision follows the layoff of over 1,000 employees due to a decline in player engagement since 2025. CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the downturn in Fortnite engagement has led to increased spending and the need for major cuts to keep the company funded.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Screamer Review: A New Benchmark for Racing Game Artistry

Screamer is an arcade racing game developed by Milestone, set in a vibrant cyberpunk world. It features a unique dual-stick control scheme, where the left stick steers and the right stick facilitates drifts. The game includes two meters: Sync, which acts as a boost mechanic, and Entropy, which allows vehicles to become invincible for a short time. Players can customize 15 fictional cars and race on 32 tracks across four environments. The game supports online multiplayer for up to 16 players and split-screen for up to four players. It is powered by Unreal Engine 5 and features a mix of licensed and original music. Screamer is priced at .99, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for .99, and is set to release on March 26, 2026, with early access for the Deluxe Edition on March 23. The game has received a score of 9/10.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Microsoft to eliminate shader wait times in PC games

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to its Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) technology to address lengthy shader compilation times for PC gamers. The ASD technology generates a Pre-compiled Shader Database (PSDB) from a Shader Object State Database (SODB), allowing for faster game startups by eliminating the need for local compilation. Since integrating ASD into its software development kit (SDK), Microsoft has achieved an 85% reduction in launch times for the game Avowed. NVIDIA, Intel, and Qualcomm are also set to support ASD in their hardware. Additionally, Microsoft has updated its API to allow developers to upload pre-compiled shaders through the Xbox Partner Center, starting with the Xbox app on PC.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

This bloody medieval carve-’em-up has me praying the devs deliver a holy gaming experience

The game "1348 Ex Voto" features a female knight named Aeta, who is trained in swordplay and accompanied by her companion Bianca. The combat system requires players to carefully judge enemy attacks, creating a tense experience. The game world is designed to be desolate and cinematic, focusing on a predetermined path rather than open-world exploration. Players can find items to enhance gameplay, such as health-restoring food and skill books. The visuals, powered by Unreal Engine 5, depict detailed medieval Italian settings. The game is set to launch on March 12, 2026, and aims for authenticity in storytelling and character development, with a completion time of under 20 hours.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

13-year-old Decima engine allows Death Stranding team to ‘accomplish many things that would be difficult to achieve elsewhere’

Horizon Zero Dawn and Death Stranding were developed using Guerrilla Games' Decima engine, which has been in development for over 13 years. Akio Sakamoto, CTO of Kojima Productions, noted that the Decima engine offers many capabilities for building open-world games, despite some features being less user-friendly than those in commercial engines. The collaboration between Kojima Productions and Guerrilla Games, particularly for Horizon Forbidden West, has demonstrated the benefits of custom software in an industry leaning towards widely adopted engines like Unreal. Sakamoto mentioned that they have been using the Decima engine for nearly ten years, highlighting its effectiveness in achieving goals that would be challenging with other engines.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

6 PC games you can play completely offline in 2026

Gamers often face challenges with online license verification for PC titles, which can restrict access to games. For offline experiences, a variety of games spanning several decades are available. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world game set in Gilded Age America, featuring a narrative about Dutch’s outlaw family and offering fulfilling missions and side quests. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has been updated with Unreal Engine 5 and allows offline play without digital rights management, supporting extensive modding. Blue Prince combines roguelike mechanics and adventure gameplay, set in Mt. Holly manor, where players navigate a world of puzzles and secrets that reset daily. Hades II features Melinoë, the daughter of Hades, as the protagonist, introducing new combat mechanics and the challenge of defeating Chronos. Balatro reimagines poker in a roguelike format, requiring players to create scoring hands and adapt strategies against increasing difficulty and unique abilities. Pacific Drive takes place in a fictional Exclusion Zone, where players must navigate a dangerous landscape using their vehicle for survival. These games offer substantial single-player experiences that do not require an active internet connection.

Winsage

February 14, 2026

Linux vs Windows: A PC Gaming Inflection Point

Microsoft has initiated performance tuning initiatives and gaming-centric optimizations, including features like Game Mode and collaborations on drivers, to enhance the gaming experience. The company faces cultural challenges as Windows serves diverse user groups, and decisions favoring enterprise AI may not align with gaming enthusiasts' priorities. To maintain trust among gamers, Microsoft must show commitment to performance and user control. DirectX is a key part of its gaming architecture, and integration with Xbox services supports cross-platform synergy. The gaming industry is adapting to trends like handheld devices and Linux's rise, with major engines supporting Linux. However, some middleware vendors and internal studio tools still rely on Windows, complicating quality assurance. Many studios focus on ensuring smooth Windows game operation through Proton, a compatibility layer for Linux, rather than shifting entirely to native Linux builds. If Windows becomes cumbersome compared to Linux's leaner profile, perceptions of these platforms may change.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

High on Life 2 review

High on Life 2, developed by Squanch Games, is a single-player first-person shooter set to launch on February 13, 2026. The game has faced technical challenges, particularly performance issues on launch day, likely due to the complexities of Unreal Engine 5. Players have reported difficulties with navigation due to the game's detailed graphics, which can obscure critical gameplay elements. Reviewers have criticized the combat mechanics for lacking complexity, noting that the variety of weapons does not adequately address the challenges posed by enemies. High-end systems, including the RTX 5090 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, have struggled to maintain consistent frame rates, with significant drops in certain levels despite averaging around 90 fps at high settings and 1440p. The recommended specifications include an RTX 4080 and i7-13700KF, indicating potential optimization issues during development. Despite these problems, the game is noted for its charm and lighthearted humor, offering a unique experience in the single-player FPS genre.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

A fraction of the most popular PC games over the past year use hardware-level ray tracing, which is far fewer than I’d predict just 24 months ago

Ray tracing technology has seen a decline in prevalence among popular new game releases as developers prioritize optimized performance due to hardware challenges. In the past year, only a few titles have utilized ray tracing, such as Monster Hunter Wilds for basic reflections and Borderlands 4 using software-based Lumen from Unreal Engine 5. Indie games are increasingly favored for their accessibility and lower development costs, often avoiding high-performance techniques. Unreal Engine 5 has led to a resurgence of software-based ray tracing, though hardware ray tracing can provide better results at the cost of performance. Upcoming titles like Elden Ring: Nightreign and Battlefield 6 have opted out of hardware ray tracing to focus on gameplay performance. Many award-winning games have also chosen not to implement hardware-based ray tracing, emphasizing gameplay experience over graphical fidelity. Despite its reduced prominence, ray tracing remains a valuable tool for enhancing gaming experiences when used thoughtfully. The potential for ray tracing to improve visual storytelling continues as hardware becomes more accessible.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

The Defiant, a Story-Driven, Single-Player WWII FPS, Announced for PC and Consoles

Developer Hoothanes, in collaboration with publisher 4Divinity, is creating a single-player first-person shooter titled The Defiant, set during China's War of Resistance against Japan in World War II. The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5 and features diverse gameplay mechanics, including stealth infiltration, close-quarters firefights, sniping, urban espionage, code-breaking operations, vehicular combat, and large-scale assaults. The developers prioritize historical accuracy, treating weapons as historical artifacts and exploring settings such as occupied villages, frozen forests, fortified supply routes, and enemy-controlled urban zones. The game is available for wishlisting on Steam.