TL;DR
Arjan Brussee, co-founder of Guerrilla Games, is developing ‘The Immensive Engine,’ a fully European game engine designed to compete with Unreal and Unity. The project emphasizes European standards and integrated AI. Details are still emerging.
Guerrilla Games co-founder and former Epic tech director Arjan Brussee is developing a new game engine called ‘The Immensive Engine,’ aimed at providing a fully European-developed alternative to Unreal and Unity, with a focus on European compliance and AI integration.
Brussee, who also co-founded Boss Key with Cliff Bleszinski, revealed in an interview with De Technoloog that the engine is designed to be fully European-hosted and built by Europeans, addressing a gap in the current market where most engines are US-centric. He emphasized that the engine will support the creation of complex 3D worlds for various applications beyond gaming, including simulations and industrial uses.
The Immensive Engine will incorporate AI from the ground up, with Brussee criticizing existing engines like Unreal for their menu-driven approach, which he argues is less adaptable for AI-driven development. He highlighted that AI integration could allow developers to automate tasks and significantly reduce development time, with the potential to replace the work of many developers.
Brussee noted that several major game companies, including Krafton, Square Enix, and Electronic Arts, are investing heavily in AI technologies, making this aspect a key feature of the new engine. The project aims to offer more choice to developers seeking alternatives outside the US-dominated engine market.
Why It Matters
This development is significant because it could diversify the global game engine landscape, offering a platform aligned with European regulations and standards. It also reflects a broader industry trend toward AI adoption, which could reshape game development processes and reduce costs. If successful, it could challenge the dominance of Unreal and Unity, especially among European developers seeking more localized options.
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Background
Currently, Unreal Engine by Epic and Unity are the dominant game engines used worldwide, with little representation of fully European-developed alternatives. Brussee’s initiative responds to calls for more regional autonomy in software tools, particularly as European regulations tighten around data and digital sovereignty. The project builds on Brussee’s extensive experience in game technology, including his previous role at Epic Games and Guerrilla Games.
The timing coincides with increasing industry investment in AI for game development, as major companies explore how to leverage automation and intelligent agents. While other engines have begun integrating AI features, Brussee aims to build a platform where AI is fundamental from the start, not an add-on.
“No one is currently making an engine that is fully European-hosted, built by Europeans, and complies with European rules and guidelines.”
— Arjan Brussee
“Creating usable 3D worlds is becoming increasingly important, certainly for purposes other than just gaming.”
— Arjan Brussee
“If you are smart and know how to put a good framework of AI agents to work, you can do the work of ten or fifteen people.”
— Arjan Brussee
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What Remains Unclear
Details about the engine’s technical specifications, release timeline, and the extent of industry adoption remain unclear. It is also not yet confirmed how the engine will perform in real-world development scenarios or whether it will gain widespread industry support.
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What’s Next
The project is currently in development, with Brussee and his team likely to release more technical details and demos in the coming months. Industry reactions and potential early partnerships or beta tests are expected to follow as the engine nears readiness for broader use.
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Key Questions
When will The Immensive Engine be available to developers?
There is no confirmed release date yet. The project is still in development, with more details expected later this year.
Will this engine support VR and next-gen consoles?
Specific technical features have not been disclosed, but the developer intends it to support a wide range of applications, including advanced 3D worlds and potentially VR and consoles.
How will this engine differ from Unreal or Unity?
According to Brussee, the engine will be fully European-hosted, built by Europeans, and integrated with AI from the ground up, aiming for greater flexibility and compliance with European standards.
What is the significance for European developers?
This engine could provide a regional alternative that aligns with European regulations, offering more control and sovereignty over development tools.
