AI Game Engine Revolution: Breaking the Industry's Doom Cycle (2026)

In the ever-evolving world of game development, a group of industry veterans is daring to challenge the status quo. Three former Epic Games employees, Arjan Brussee, Sjoerd De Jong, and Michal Valient, have embarked on a mission to disrupt the game engine market with their startup, Immens. Their bold vision? To create an AI-powered game engine that breaks free from the constraints of traditional engines and empowers developers to innovate and create more efficiently.

The Game Engine Landscape

The game engine market has long been dominated by Unity and Unreal, with these two giants accounting for a significant portion of the games released on Steam. While Godot has shown promising growth, and some companies opt for proprietary engines, the industry has, to a large extent, standardized around these two powerhouses.

A New Engine, A New Vision

Brussee, De Jong, and Valient believe there's a gap in the market for a fresh approach. With an impressive collective industry experience, including stints at Epic Games, Guerrilla Games, and Apple, they are well-positioned to challenge the industry titans. Speaking about their motivation, Brussee highlights the current state of the games market, describing it as "rough." He believes that finding more efficient ways of working is crucial to breaking the cycle of increasing development costs and risks.

The Power of AI

Immens' chief technology officer, Valient, emphasizes that their approach to AI is unique. It's not about prompting and generating content but rather about building an extensible engine. AI, he explains, can reason about data and code, allowing smaller teams and individuals to extend the engine's functionality. This means developers can create custom tools and workflows tailored to their specific needs, a far cry from the monolithic approach of traditional engines.

Flexibility and Interoperability

Immens is designed with flexibility in mind. De Jong notes that the engine doesn't force a particular workflow on its users, allowing developers to decide how they want to work. Additionally, Immens is built to use open standards, making it interoperable with other common game development software like Blender and Maya. This interoperability is a significant step forward, as it allows for smoother collaboration and integration of tools, something that has been lacking in the industry.

AI's Creative and Economic Impact

While AI in game development has its critics, the Immens team sees it as a powerful tool that can enhance creativity and efficiency. Valient believes that AI will make everyone better at what they do, leading to more innovative and complex games. However, they acknowledge the economic concerns surrounding AI, with some fearing a bubble. Valient remains optimistic, arguing that while some companies may not survive, the best technology and products will prevail.

A Lean and Focused Approach

Immens is taking a deliberate approach to its growth, currently operating with just the three founders and a few helpers. De Jong emphasizes the complexity of building an engine, noting that while a small, focused team is essential, there's also a need for sufficient funding and resources to capitalize on the opportunities presented by industry changes and AI advancements.

The Future of Immens

The company is currently working on a proof of concept to demonstrate the use of generative AI in editing, with plans to launch a demo soon. Brussee's optimism about their progress is evident, as they've already achieved significant milestones ahead of schedule. As for their business model, while they admire Epic's approach, they believe it's too early to make concrete statements.

In conclusion, Immens' journey is a testament to the power of innovation and the potential for disruption in the game development industry. With their AI-powered engine, they aim to empower developers, foster creativity, and push the boundaries of what's possible in gaming. It's an exciting prospect, and one that could shape the future of the industry.