RPG Veterans Transition from Unreal Engine 5: Enhanced Performance on Current Consoles Spurs Change

‘The Wayward Realms’ Dumps Unreal Engine 5, Sees Massive Performance Gains

Developers of the enterprising RPG, ‘The Wayward Realms,’ have abandoned Unreal Engine 5 in favor of a heavily modified version of Wicked Engine, citing critically important performance issues and workflow bottlenecks.

OnceLost Games, a studio comprised of veteran developers formerly of Bethesda – including key figures from Daggerfall and the Elder Scrolls: Arena – made the switch after experiencing firsthand the challenges plaguing UE5. Recent games built on the engine have ofen failed to deliver visual improvements commensurate with the performance cost, frequently requiring upscaling technologies like Frame Generation just to hit 60fps.

“Unreal Engine 5 doesn’t have good press, and for good reason,” sources close to the development team stated. “Projects often look no better than those on UE4, but run substantially worse.”

The move to Wicked Engine has already yielded dramatic results. According to OnceLost Games, development speed has doubled, and performance has seen a substantial boost across a range of hardware.

Here’s a breakdown of the improvements:

* Low-End Performance: The game now achieves over 30fps on laptops over a decade old without dedicated graphics cards.
* Nintendo Switch: the first RPG module is targeting nearly 30fps on the Nintendo Switch.
* Next-Gen Consoles: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S players can expect a stable 60fps.
* Loading Times: A map four times the size of Manhattan now loads in under one second.

Beyond performance,the switch to Wicked Engine unlocks further benefits,including full modding support and compatibility with Linux operating systems.

OnceLost Games plans to release a detailed video showcasing the updated graphics in the coming weeks, demonstrating the visual fidelity achievable with the new engine. The team is currently focused on porting existing assets from Unreal Engine 5 to the Wicked Engine environment.

This decision highlights a growing frustration within the game development community regarding the current state of Unreal Engine 5 and the potential advantages of alternative, more optimized solutions. ‘The Wayward Realms’ is quickly becoming a case study for developers seeking to balance ambition with achievable performance targets.

How might the learning curve associated wiht UE5 impact the timelines and budgets of RPG projects for studios with established, but different, engine expertise?

The Shifting Landscape of RPG Development

For decades, RPG (Role-Playing Game) development has been a complex undertaking, often dictated by engine limitations and the capabilities of target hardware. Now, with Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) demonstrating remarkable performance on current-generation consoles – PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S – we’re witnessing a significant shift. Veteran RPG developers, long accustomed to established workflows and sometimes bespoke engines, are increasingly adopting UE5. This isn’t simply about graphical fidelity; it’s a essential change impacting development pipelines, team structures, and the very scope of RPG projects.

Why the Move to Unreal Engine 5 Now?

Historically,the complexity of large-scale RPGs – sprawling open worlds,intricate character systems,and branching narratives – pushed developers towards engines they had meticulously optimized over years. However, UE5’s advancements, particularly nanite and Lumen, are proving too compelling to ignore.

* Nanite Virtualized Geometry: Allows for the import of film-quality assets directly into the engine, drastically reducing the need for painstaking polygon optimization.This is a game-changer for creating detailed environments, a cornerstone of modern RPGs.

* Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections: Provides dynamic, realistic lighting without the performance cost of traditional baked lighting. This translates to more immersive and visually stunning RPG worlds.

* World Partition: Enables the creation of massive open worlds by streaming in and out sections of the map as needed, optimizing performance and memory usage.

* MetaHuman Creator Integration: Streamlines character creation, offering photorealistic digital humans with a level of detail previously unattainable.

These features, combined with the improved performance on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, mean developers can achieve a higher level of visual quality without exponentially increasing development time or budget. This is particularly crucial in the current gaming market, where player expectations for graphics and immersion are constantly rising.

Impact on RPG Subgenres: From JRPGs to ARPGs

The transition isn’t uniform across all RPG subgenres. The impact varies depending on the established conventions and technical requirements of each.

* JRPGs (Japanese role-Playing Games): Traditionally, JRPGs have favored stylized visuals and focused on narrative depth. While UE5’s realism isn’t necessarily a core aesthetic goal,the engine’s tools for efficient world-building and cinematic cutscene creation are highly valuable. We’re seeing studios like Monolith Soft (Xenoblade Chronicles series) exploring UE5 for future projects, focusing on leveraging its world-building capabilities.

* ARPGs (Action Role-Playing Games): ARPGs, like Diablo and Path of Exile, demand fast-paced combat and visually impactful effects. UE5’s Niagara visual effects system and robust physics engine are perfectly suited for this genre. The ability to handle a large number of on-screen entities without performance drops is a significant advantage.

* Western RPGs: Titles like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout have always pushed the boundaries of open-world RPGs. UE5 provides the tools to create even more expansive and detailed worlds, with more dynamic interactions and believable environments. Obsidian Entertainment and Bethesda are actively evaluating and implementing UE5 features in their upcoming projects.

* Tactical RPGs: While perhaps less visually demanding than other subgenres, tactical RPGs benefit from UE5’s improved rendering capabilities for detailed character models and environments, enhancing the strategic overview and immersion.

Challenges and Considerations for Veteran Teams

The move to UE5 isn’t without its hurdles. Veteran developers accustomed to their existing pipelines face several challenges:

1. Learning Curve: UE5 is a powerful engine,but it has a steep learning curve. teams need to invest in training and upskilling to fully utilize its features.
2. Pipeline Adjustments: Existing tools and workflows may need to be adapted or replaced to integrate with UE5. This can be a time-consuming and costly process.

3.