Mark Rein: 'We're more Epic than we've ever been'

Following Epic's impressive Infiltrator demo, which was one of the stand-out demonstrations of next-gen tech the 2013 Game Developers Conference, we talk to Mark Rein on Unreal Engine 4, Fortnite and being next-gen ready.

[first1NFANTRY]

how's about a game without steroid overdosed he bros.

I would like to see "EPIC" create a game in different genre besides shooters.

[_QQ_]

I don't consider epic a great studio either, gears is meh good and nothing more.

[Eldyraen]

I enjoy their shooters but wouldn't mind something different to play either.

Between Infinity Blade and the Elemental demo I wouldn't mind seeing them make an Action RPG if they could do it right. Probably more in the vein of old EQ/D&D top down sort (ps2/Xbox) as it would let the engine shine as well as allow 2-4 player coop relatively easily. I just wish we had more games like them (and marvel/Xmen) this gen but guess profits weren't high enough so they scrapped them for all but a few arcade releases (most subpar).

They shouldn't just stop making shooters as they are one of the best but changing things up and trying new things could help keep things fresh. They are still one of my favorite devs but just wouldn't mind a bit more variety. I'm looking forward to Fortnite as sounds interesting though and hope its good.

@Lopez:

I think the first was the best Gears--darker and grittier campaign compared to others and slowly losing that which is my biggest problem with it. I still enjoy it but not really for the same reasons.

Epic is still one of the better studios but as its grown its also lost some of its appeal (to some older fans like me). I just hope it doesn't lose itself at some point but with all the people that have left its a concern for everyone till we see them release something as great as Gears or UT was in their prime.

[konnerbllb]

@first1NFANTRY

Did you read the article? Their next game is fortnite. Not a shooter. No meatheads on steroids.

[RuleofOne343]

How about you guys stop letting a foreign company buy into you at the cost of your key players & long time epic members. that would be a first but if you continue on that path how about you sell Gears, Shadow complex, Bullet storm IP to MS before they become mobile garbage.

[Jek_Porkins]

I have a feeling if Microsoft ever thought the Gears franchise was in danger they'd step in, that franchise has made Microsoft the most money this generation outside of Halo.

I agree with the foreigner thing as well, I believe that is the reason so many left, that or Microsoft had a deal for more Gears games next gen, and all of those developers didn't want to get stuck making the same franchise for the next decade. I can totally understand that, which is why I like what developers like Naughty Dog does, work on something for a generation, then move on to something else completely.

[RuleofOne343]

I can see your point about making a game for so long that it may even cause some people to lose their Creative Mojo if you will. As tough and harsh that it may seem I would rather work on something familiar with varies changes year after year than a new project which may have some successes or fails horribly to the point of closure particular with today's fickle consumer.

[nthstew]

just don't be a Microsoft whore this nextgen too..
go multiplatform and support gamers

[TooTall19]

They made multiplatform games this gen.

[nthstew]

like what gears of war?
bulletstorm won't count

[Eldyraen]

@nthstew: Why wouldn't it count, because you didn't like it? They also released UT3 which was another decent game but far from great. I enjoyed it for a while but lacked longevity for me.

Fortnite is their next game I'm looking forward to but hope next gen they do something new. It sounds fun anyways but will have to wait and see as it hasn't really gotten much information out for it. Epic has to have something big coming as they've been remarkably silent (main studio) for a while now.

[pompombrum]

As someone who remembers the awesome years of Unreal Tournament and community driven contests like Make something unreal, I beg to differ just how "epic" EPIC are these days.

[Mikeyy]

I felt epic was a lot more EPIC in the hight of UT99 and UT2003/04.

Then COD stole epics thunder.

[mrmancs]

he also says the ps4 is the is like the best pc gaming rig and will out power most pc :) . Ps4life

[porkChop]

Oh yeah? How's that when you've lost many of your key developers?

[Donnieboi]

What are u talking about?

[porkChop]

I'm talking about all the key developers that have left Epic recently. They started leaving right after a Chinese company bought over 40% of Epic's shares.

[Donnieboi]

No I didn't mean that I didn't believe u. I guess I meant to ask why. This is all news to me. How come devs left? Are u saying devs dropped Unreal Engine for other engines? I can't find anything on this on google (the reason why they left over some Chinese buy-out).

What's their beef with the Chinese?

[Eldyraen]

Technically them leaving due to share buyout is all just speculation but its also a fair assumption. People often leave companies around large buyouts or mergers. (Think they bought what, 45% or more of the company).

It is true though several lead employees have left in the last year which is never great news. Nothing is really known about why anyone really left, just speculation other than "take time off"/"move on" like many stated as their reason for the departure.

[Scenarist]

who cares about epic games....

its the engine that matters anyway. YES they are more epic than they have ever been