If you’re a game developer or simply someone who enjoys playing video games, chances are you’ve heard of Unreal Engine. This powerful game engine is used by some of the biggest names in gaming and media to create immersive and stunning visuals. But have you ever wondered who owns this technology giant? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the people behind Unreal Engine and explore its history and development.

Epic Games: The Parent Company of Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine was created by Epic Games, an American video game company that was founded in 1992. The company was co-founded by Tim Sweeney, Markus Persson (known as “Markus Kempe”), and Jens Bergensten. Sweeney is currently the CEO and owner of Epic Games, with a net worth estimated at $5 billion according to Forbes.

Epic Games is known for its successful game franchises, including Fortnite and Gears of War. However, it’s also the parent company behind Unreal Engine, which was first released in 1998 as Unreal Tournament. Over the years, Unreal Engine has grown into one of the most popular and widely used game engines in the industry, powering games like Fortnite, The Last of Us Part II, and many others.

The Evolution of Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine has gone through several iterations since its initial release in 1998. Here’s a brief overview of some of the major milestones in its history:

• Unreal Tournament (1998): The first version of Unreal Engine, which was used to create the popular game series of the same name.

• Unreal Engine 2.0 (2004): A significant update that introduced new features and capabilities, including support for Windows and Mac OS X.

• Unreal Engine 3.0 (2008): Another major update that introduced new tools and technologies for game development, such as Blueprint visual scripting and physics simulation.

• Unreal Engine 4.0 (2016): The current version of Unreal Engine, which was released in 2016 and continues to be updated regularly with new features and improvements.

In Summary

Unreal Engine is a powerful game engine that has been around for nearly two decades. It’s owned and developed by Epic Games, an American video game company that was founded in 1992 by Tim Sweeney, Markus Persson, and Jens Bergensten. Over the years, Unreal Engine has grown into one of the most popular and widely used game engines in the industry, powering games like Fortnite, The Last of Us Part II, and many others. With regular updates and new features being added all the time, Unreal Engine is likely to remain a favorite among game developers for years to come.