Epic Games Optimizes 'Unreal Engine 6' for AI Development, Criticizes Apple

Epic Games unveiled the vision for its next-generation 'Unreal Engine 6' on the 20th. The core focus is AI. The goal is to enable the creation of large-scale games at significantly reduced costs and time using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. At the 'Unreal Fest Seoul 2026' event held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on this day, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney emphasized the necessity of optimizing for AI-based development environments, stating, "It is time to fundamentally change the high-cost method of producing AAA (large-scale developer) games."

Unreal Engine 6 was a key topic of the day's event. According to Sweeney, Engine 6 is still in its early stages, with a preview version expected around the end of 2027. He explained that engine evolution is essential given the skyrocketing costs of AAA game development, and noted that the company is collaborating with major firms to ensure AI development tools like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor operate seamlessly within the Unreal Engine environment.

The programming language Verse was also presented as a major pillar of Engine 6. Sweeney guided that Verse would be used for gameplay logic, while C++ would be used for engine development, revealing plans to open source the Verse compiler and runtime.

Sweeney observed that while games were previously consumed as individual titles, the industry is now shifting towards an ecosystem where games connect with one another. He proposed "connecting all games into a single ecosystem" as the solution. His vision is to allow games developed with Engine 6 to be distributed on PC, console, and mobile stores, as well as to run within the Fortnite and Engine 6-based ecosystem without separate installation. "We will break down the reality where platforms are distinctly separated," he emphasized, adding that "the added value of content purchased within the ecosystem can increase."

Sweeney mentioned that spending on the Epic Games Store in Korea has grown to rank third, following the U.S. and China. Conversely, he criticized Apple's closed iOS ecosystem, stating, "There is a lack of respect for the Korean market."

Expansion into industries outside of gaming was also highlighted. Sweeney noted that real-time 3D technology is being utilized in autonomous driving, robotics, and car development. He explained, "Instead of physically repeating experiments in dangerous environments or collision situations, implementing them via 3D engine-based simulation can reduce costs and time while securing data safely." He told Korean developers, "You are in a good position to secure a vantage point in迎接 new trends."