Epic Purchases Reality Engine [May 12, 2005, 10:43 am ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
Epic Games announces they have purchased the
Reality Engine, with the
intention of integrating some of its features into the Unreal 3 Engine. Here's
the announcement, which states they will not be developing the Reality Engine
going forward, though they will offer its licensees a discount on the Unreal
tech:
RALEIGH, May 12th, 2005 – 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.
Unreal Engine 3 provides a pathway to both PC and next generation console development, supported by the recent announcement that major game developer Silicon Knights will use Unreal Engine 3 exclusively for its next generation games. Other recently announced licensees include Bioware, the console game developer of the year, and renowned publisher Midway, which has acquired a studio-wide license.
“I am thrilled about joining the team at Epic Games” said Tim Johnson. “I’m a long-time fan of Unreal games and technology, and I am proud to be joining a company I consider to be a world leader in both game development and next generation middleware.”
“We’re very excited to have Tim Johnson join Epic Games,” said Epic founder and CEO, Tim Sweeney. “He brings six years of engine development experience to the Unreal Engine 3 development team, and he’s already brimming with ideas on how to improve our technology. Tim is a great fit for Epic – he clearly understands all sides of the licensing business, from engineering to customer support to business development. He will have a huge positive impact on our company and our engine licensees.”
SquirrelZero is right, if my phone was ringing off the hook based on news I wasn't privvy to, I'd be frigging running out butt nekid looking for the mofo pulling a cruel joke.
Then when reality - and common sense (whatever is left of it) - sinks in, you go figure out what the fuck is going on.
Like SquirrelZero, we've been around even before RE had teeth and the guys (Tim, Jeremy et al) are pretty cool guys.
Despite what the Epic press release says, existing licensees (like us), can still continue using the engine but not to expect any further updates I don't think.
Its kinda weird, but being a developer - and knowing how Epic are not notorious for screwing people - I'm quite certain that behind-the-scenes actions will sort this out for existing licensees.
Not to be facetious or anything, but IMO this buyout doesn't have fuck all to do with Tim Johnson's [unquestionable] talent. My take is that Epic just got scared and decided to buy out the *really* small guy, bring that talent+technology in house (as part of the deal) and [probably] not further saturate the mainstream middleware license arena (DOOM3, NetImmerse, GameBryo, Renderware, Virtools). Its easier to buy one rung on the ladder - especially given the price of RE when compared to those other engines - than it is the others higher up the ladder.
If Tim and Jeremy made out like bandits, good for them. Running a company while developing an engine (which is essentially what you're doing if your are licensing technologies) is not exactly a good match. So, if Tim wants to continue being a "developer" instead of a businessman, then this is the right way to go. Especially if the price is right; as I'm sure that it was because, knowing him, there is no way he would have done this without some substantial benefit.
This is only the beginning. EA bought Criterion and pretty much locked up GameByro and RenderWare. A bunch of others (e.g. Intrinsic) have gone under and the rest are struggling.
Then when reality - and common sense (whatever is left of it) - sinks in, you go figure out what the fuck is going on.
Like SquirrelZero, we've been around even before RE had teeth and the guys (Tim, Jeremy et al) are pretty cool guys.
Despite what the Epic press release says, existing licensees (like us), can still continue using the engine but not to expect any further updates I don't think.
Its kinda weird, but being a developer - and knowing how Epic are not notorious for screwing people - I'm quite certain that behind-the-scenes actions will sort this out for existing licensees.
Not to be facetious or anything, but IMO this buyout doesn't have fuck all to do with Tim Johnson's [unquestionable] talent. My take is that Epic just got scared and decided to buy out the *really* small guy, bring that talent+technology in house (as part of the deal) and [probably] not further saturate the mainstream middleware license arena (DOOM3, NetImmerse, GameBryo, Renderware, Virtools). Its easier to buy one rung on the ladder - especially given the price of RE when compared to those other engines - than it is the others higher up the ladder.
If Tim and Jeremy made out like bandits, good for them. Running a company while developing an engine (which is essentially what you're doing if your are licensing technologies) is not exactly a good match. So, if Tim wants to continue being a "developer" instead of a businessman, then this is the right way to go. Especially if the price is right; as I'm sure that it was because, knowing him, there is no way he would have done this without some substantial benefit.
This is only the beginning. EA bought Criterion and pretty much locked up GameByro and RenderWare. A bunch of others (e.g. Intrinsic) have gone under and the rest are struggling.
Game developers are just human beings who happen to make games for a living. If you want to hold us up to higher standards of conduct, then go ahead
...but don't be surprised if we don't uphold them
...but don't be surprised if we don't uphold them
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