For DudeMeister: Reality Engine bought by Epic [Archive]

Gryph

05-12-2005, 01:27 PM

http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/612/612965p1.html

Epic Games, one of the world's leading developers of cutting-edge computer and video games and the pioneer of the award-winning Unreal Engine, today announced that it has completed the purchase of the Reality Engine from Artificial Studios and hired its founder, and lead engine programmer, Tim Johnson. Tim will join the Unreal Engine 3 development team effective immediately and be part of Epic's presence at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California next week.

Epic has purchased the Reality Engine outright, including intellectual property rights, trademarks, and copyrights. Epic does not intend to continue sales, development, or support of the Reality Engine, but will review its technologies for inclusion into Unreal Engine 3. Developers who had purchased Reality Engine licenses prior to this sale will be offered upgrades to Unreal Engine 3 at significantly discounted prices and should contact licensing@epicgames.com for more details.

Drazula

05-12-2005, 01:32 PM

Epic must have seen some good ideas in the Reality Engine. But if you combine it with the Unreal engine, don't you end up with a Zero Engine?! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

FireFly

05-12-2005, 01:35 PM

Wow. UE3 is becoming a monster.

Lengis

05-12-2005, 02:03 PM

Incredible. UE3 will look even better. And since UT2k7 has only started development (and only in bare bones, skeleton maps), they can incorporate all the great features right away with no development time loss.

jimbob

05-12-2005, 02:06 PM

eventhough im not informed in the reality engine, this sounds like a good thing. taking the best of both engines and make it better.

cant wait to see some new stuff http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dark_angel

05-12-2005, 02:12 PM

Sayantan

05-12-2005, 02:13 PM

They bought it maybe coz they had a fear it would affect their next gen market in the near future.
And Artificial Studio sold it maybe coz they were not getting enuf funding for their expensive project.

The deal is quite much expected. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tinyted.gif

Duoae

05-12-2005, 02:13 PM

Hmmm. Sounds like they took out the competition. IMO, the reality engine was and probably is slightly better overall than Unreal3. It makes perfect industrial sense to make sure your product is sold by removing the competition by buying them out.....

Considering that they're not going to work on the reality engine..... i don't know how much they will port accross to unreal 3.

Orochi Avlis

05-12-2005, 02:15 PM

Duoae said:
It makes perfect industrial sense to make sure your product is sold by removing the competition by buying them out.....

Of course it does. Look at EA and Microsoft.

FireFly

05-12-2005, 02:21 PM

Duoae said:
Hmmm. Sounds like they took out the competition. IMO, the reality engine was and probably is slightly better overall than Unreal3.

Much depends on the toolset. By all accounts UE3 has an amazing toolset. Artists have actually been able create entire mini-games without any programmer involvement.

Mountain Man

05-12-2005, 02:28 PM

Sounds like Epic is trying to buy up the competition. I wonder how much money they've offered to Valve, Crytech, and id? http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, and I'm sure current licensees of the Reality Engine are just thrilled with this part:

"Developers who had purchased Reality Engine licenses prior to this sale will be offered upgrades to Unreal Engine 3 at significantly discounted prices."

The offer goes on to say, "But they get to bend over for free."

Gryph

05-12-2005, 03:05 PM

I really wonder what other engine designers have in store to compete with UE3.0. The only other engine out right now that I saw which was close was Reality.

Kristian Joensen

05-12-2005, 03:09 PM

I am pretty certain that the next versions of Source and the Doom 3 engine will be able to compete with UE3.0, if any of them will be able to win is another matter entirely.

AlienAssKicker

05-12-2005, 03:18 PM

Shaam

05-12-2005, 03:26 PM

Gryph

05-12-2005, 03:48 PM

Kristian Joensen said:
I am pretty certain that the next versions of Source and the Doom 3 engine will be able to compete with UE3.0, if any of them will be able to win is another matter entirely.

Yeah, you're probably right but I just want to see the stuff. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Epic is making a killing with it's licensing during this generation. It seems like everyone is using UE3.0 (maybe even 3DR http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

DudeMiester

05-12-2005, 03:51 PM

My goodness, then UE3 will monopolise all engines then. Seriously, I think at this point if you don't use UE3 then there's something wrong with you. Anyways, I'm interested to see what they'll cook up now.

At the same time it's a bit of a shame that the artificial studio guys sold out. There will be a lack of competition, so that will likely stagnate development. Although probably not at first, as I'm sure the guys at Epic has a passion for what they do, but that passion may wither one day. Still if they were to be bought by anyone, it's probably best it was Epic.

Kristian Joensen

05-12-2005, 03:55 PM

Epic hasn't acquired Artificial Studios but "just" the Reality Engine.

DudeMiester

05-12-2005, 03:57 PM

Yeah, I noticed that afterwards.

Drazula

05-12-2005, 04:05 PM

DudeMiester said:
Seriously, I think at this point if you don't use UE3 then there's something wrong with you.

Always bet on Carmack! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif If Sweeney sees UE3 tech for 2007, Carmack has to be off the charts... as usual.

Kristian Joensen

05-12-2005, 04:07 PM

Tim Sweeney , This new guy they hired, John Carmack and Yann Lombardi should write an engine together.

Gryph

05-12-2005, 04:11 PM

And Ken Silverman. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/love.gif

Kristian Joensen

05-12-2005, 04:12 PM

Yes, indeed.

Kev_Hectic

05-12-2005, 04:26 PM

AlienAssKicker said:

Drazula said:
Epic must have seen some good ideas in the Reality Engine. But if you combine it with the Unreal engine, don't you end up with a Zero Engine?! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Haha! This made me laugh out loud. I'm such a dork.

Yeah, same here. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

.... http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

mysteryperfecta

05-12-2005, 04:55 PM

This guy doesn't seem at all pleased with the aquisition:

http://angrydev.blogspot.com/2005/05/moment-if-i-may-to-address-gamers.html

Lasakon

05-12-2005, 05:57 PM

I'm starting to hate technology. Soon enough there will be only one engine though, then the world will implode.

Duoae

05-12-2005, 06:00 PM

And that will be the "GATE" engine. In honour of the (then) late Bill Gates.... MS will use it to power the only survivor of the platform wars, the "PC mediaBox X60".....

Rico

05-12-2005, 08:56 PM

I hate the way the unreal engines feel so this is pretty bad for me.

I hate the feeling of being a camera on rollerskates all the unreal powered games give me. Ugh, I hope that's changed with the next iteration of it but I'm not holding my breath.

Lengis

05-12-2005, 09:00 PM

Drazula said:

DudeMiester said:
Seriously, I think at this point if you don't use UE3 then there's something wrong with you.

Always bet on Carmack! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif If Sweeney sees UE3 tech for 2007, Carmack has to be off the charts... as usual.

Epic makes better engines. They can do more. While iD can make pretty graphics, they have yet to make an engine that can handle elaborate outdoors. Or at least not to the extent that Epic's engines can.

I'm sure Carmack will make a prettier engine that will be released in 200x, but Epic will just make another one after that, with better features, in addition to better graphics.

Drazula

05-12-2005, 10:19 PM

I'm not sure how you can say that. Right now, Doom 3 engine is king of the hill. For the next two years, the only games that will look better than Doom 3 are games that are enhancing the Doom 3 engine.

Even with video hardware "leveling the playing field" (Scott Miller), the Doom 3 engine will dominate the gaming market for two and half years. That's pretty remarkable.

Airtraffic

05-12-2005, 11:34 PM

Drazula said:
Epic must have seen some good ideas in the Reality Engine. But if you combine it with the Unreal engine, don't you end up with a Zero Engine?! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Yep... http://www3.telus.net/fuzzymcgillicuddy/urinate.gifEpic http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Drazula said:
I'm not sure how you can say that. Right now, Doom 3 engine is king of the hill. For the next two years, the only games that will look better than Doom 3 are games that are enhancing the Doom 3 engine.

Even with video hardware "leveling the playing field" (Scott Miller), the Doom 3 engine will dominate the gaming market for two and half years. That's pretty remarkable.

http://www.laniercreative.com/zeropoint/images/forum/smile.jpg

Hudson

05-12-2005, 11:50 PM

Wow.. This sucks.

I mean I can understand them buying the engine, and then adding in all the features.. but to completely fxck over every developer out there who already put money down on Reality? That's just too much bullshit for a human brain to process at once.

Fxck Epic.

Lengis

05-13-2005, 12:33 AM

Drazula said:
I'm not sure how you can say that. Right now, Doom 3 engine is king of the hill. For the next two years, the only games that will look better than Doom 3 are games that are enhancing the Doom 3 engine.

Even with video hardware "leveling the playing field" (Scott Miller), the Doom 3 engine will dominate the gaming market for two and half years. That's pretty remarkable.

2 years? Lol, you realize Gears of War is comming out as a launch title for Xbox 360, and uses the Unreal Engine 3 right? That's comming out this November. Not to mention Unreal Tournament 2k7, which comes out mid next year.

Yes, D3 is the best looking engine right now, but I wasn't talking about merely visuals. I was talking about capabilities. D3 is too limited to indoors mostly. Epics engines are always more flexible to allow for nearly any kind of enviroment, indoors or outdoors. Epic's new engine is so grand in it's scale that it can create GTA 3 style worlds. iD's engines are only good at creating FPS, which limits it's gameplay options.

Sayantan

05-13-2005, 02:02 AM

Airtraffic said:
Yep... http://www3.telus.net/fuzzymcgillicuddy/urinate.gifEpic http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good one. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
My version:-

Airtraffic ------> http://www3.telus.net/fuzzymcgillicuddy/urinate.gifEpic http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Satan --------> http://www3.telus.net/fuzzymcgillicuddy/urinate.gifEpic http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

MeatWagon

05-13-2005, 02:20 AM

Hudson said:
Wow.. This sucks.

I mean I can understand them buying the engine, and then adding in all the features.. but to completely fxck over every developer out there who already put money down on Reality? That's just too much bullshit for a human brain to process at once.

Fxck Epic.

this was posted on Bluesnews message board

Existing Licensees May 12, 14:25 TimJohnson

I'd like to clarify that all existing Reality Engine licenses will continue to be valid. UE3 is only an upgrade *option*, licensees may continue with Reality Engine without hinderace, and all support obligations will be upheld.

-Tim Johnson, Epic Games

Clarification May 12, 14:40 SquirrelZero

Ok. We've gotten the word from Tim and Artificial Studios that we are still able to produce our game using the Reality Engine. This is a giant relief for us and puts us back on track for our E3 plans.

Honestly, i should have waited for the response from them first before posting, however, when you wake up to your phone ringing off the hook from your dev team, screaming at you to go look at bluesnews, you tend to do these sorts of things.

I assure you i meant no harm to the reputation of Artificial Studios. I've loved their setup and development attitudes ever since day 1. So, if anyone at Artificial was offended, i apologize.

---------
Pandora Studios programmer
http://www.pandora-studios.com

So none of the devs will be screwed over by Epic, which is good http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Mountain Man

05-13-2005, 08:15 AM

Drazula said:
...the Doom 3 engine will dominate the gaming market for two and half years. That's pretty remarkable.

What's even more remarkable is that you'd make such an absurd prediction.

Karthik

05-13-2005, 09:30 AM

Wow, information overload....slow down.....pause.....freeze......wait! First of all, what is the Reality Engine?! Is this the engine from Outcast 2? Why is everyone making alot of noise?

Gryph

05-13-2005, 10:21 AM

Karthik said:
Wow, information overload....slow down.....pause.....freeze......wait! First of all, what is the Reality Engine?! Is this the engine from Outcast 2? Why is everyone making alot of noise?

No, it's not. Reality engine was a nicely priced and very cool and advanced game engine. It has now been bought my Epic, the guys who make Unreal Engine.

Reaper

05-13-2005, 10:58 AM

Nicely priced as in under 50k, right?
And how did everyone get the impression that Reality engine licensees had to buy a discounted unreal engine license?

Mountain Man

05-13-2005, 11:02 AM

They don't have to upgrade, but as I understand it, the Reality Engine will no longer be actively developed or supported which means that current licensees are essentially working with a dead product.

Hudson

05-13-2005, 03:44 PM

MeatWagon said:

Hudson said:
Wow.. This sucks.

I mean I can understand them buying the engine, and then adding in all the features.. but to completely fxck over every developer out there who already put money down on Reality? That's just too much bullshit for a human brain to process at once.

Fxck Epic.

this was posted on Bluesnews message board

Existing Licensees May 12, 14:25 TimJohnson

I'd like to clarify that all existing Reality Engine licenses will continue to be valid. UE3 is only an upgrade *option*, licensees may continue with Reality Engine without hinderace, and all support obligations will be upheld.

-Tim Johnson, Epic Games

Clarification May 12, 14:40 SquirrelZero

Ok. We've gotten the word from Tim and Artificial Studios that we are still able to produce our game using the Reality Engine. This is a giant relief for us and puts us back on track for our E3 plans.

Honestly, i should have waited for the response from them first before posting, however, when you wake up to your phone ringing off the hook from your dev team, screaming at you to go look at bluesnews, you tend to do these sorts of things.

I assure you i meant no harm to the reputation of Artificial Studios. I've loved their setup and development attitudes ever since day 1. So, if anyone at Artificial was offended, i apologize.

---------
Pandora Studios programmer
http://www.pandora-studios.com

So none of the devs will be screwed over by Epic, which is good http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Indeed it is http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif