The recent State of Unreal event at GDC 2024 revealed several key updates and announcements regarding developments for the Unreal Engine and related tools. Epic Games showcased the power of Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) and announced the addition of MetaHuman Animator to the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), aiming to revolutionize character animations with photorealistic quality. The upcoming season of Fortnite is set to be developed entirely with UEFN, and creators can look forward to new creative devices plus assets from partnerships with Rocket Racing, Fall Guys, and LEGO.
Amy Hennig's Skydance Media kicked off the event with the reveal of 'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra', which is to use UE5’s MetaHuman Animator for advanced facial animations. On top of that, the Epic Games Store is preparing to launch on mobile platforms with favorable revenue terms for developers, and the much-anticipated 'Dune: Awakening' game by Funcom was discussed, demonstrating the utilization of Unreal Engine in both gaming and film production. Lastly, Unreal Engine 5.4 is set to fully release next month, promising significant advancements in animation.
As a concluding highlight for the Unreal Engine community, although there's anticipation for Unreal Engine 6, Epic clarified that it is not on the near horizon, suggesting a continued focus on developing UE5.
What are some of the new tools and features coming to Unreal Engine and Fortnite?
Unreal Engine 5.4 includes a new Motion Matching feature for animations, and Fortnite’s Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) will see the addition of MetaHuman Animator and MetaHuman Creator. Epic also announced the integration of elements from Rocket Racing, Fall Guys, and LEGO into Fortnite's creative suite along with plans for developing a Fortnite season entirely using UEFN.
Regarding the background of Amy Hennig's involvement in 'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra', it's worth mentioning that Amy Hennig is a revered figure in the gaming industry, widely known for her work as the creative director and writer of the 'Uncharted' series during her time with Naughty Dog. Her move to Skydance Media heralded the collaboration on a new Marvel game, which now stands revealed as 'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra'. The game's adoption of MetaHuman Animator is notable, reflecting Hennig’s focus on narrative and character-driven gaming experiences. 'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra' taps into a rich universe, promising to deliver a unique storyline set within the expansive Marvel lore.
Samira Khan
Samira Khan is a narrative enthusiast with a keen eye for storytelling in games. Her literary approach to game criticism examines themes, character development, and plot structure, earning her a following among gamers who appreciate the art of narrating.
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Comments
The State of Unreal event at GDC 2024 brought some exciting updates for Unreal Engine and Fortnite. I'm particularly looking forward to the new Motion Matching feature in Unreal Engine 5.4 and the integration of elements from Rocket Racing, Fall Guys, and LEGO in Fortnite's creative suite. It's great to see Epic Games continuing to push the boundaries of gaming innovation.
Wow, the Unreal Engine updates look seriously impressive The addition of MetaHuman Animator to Fortnite's Unreal Editor is a game-changer for character animations, and the collaboration with Rocket Racing, Fall Guys, and LEGO is going to shake things up creatively. Can't wait to see the photorealistic quality they're aiming for in the upcoming Fortnite season
The Unreal Engine 5 updates, including the MetaHuman Animator and Creator, are shaping up to revolutionize character animations in Fortnite and beyond. The collaboration with Rocket Racing, Fall Guys, and LEGO, along with Amy Hennig's involvement in 'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra', adds exciting layers to the upcoming developments in gaming and storytelling.