Guerilla Games co-founder and Epic veteran building ‘a European alternative’ to Unreal Engine

May 9, 2026 - 17:43

The veteran developer did not reveal the engine's name or a release timeline, but he described it as a direct response to the increasing consolidation of game development tools. He argued that Europe lacks a major, independent engine ecosystem, leaving studios reliant on foreign technology. The project aims to provide a high-performance, open alternative that prioritizes European data sovereignty and creative independence.

Brussee's announcement has sparked discussion about the feasibility of competing with Unreal Engine, which powers thousands of games and has deep integration with major platforms. Critics note that building a modern engine from scratch requires enormous investment and years of refinement. However, supporters point to Brussee's track record, including his work on the original Unreal Engine and his founding of companies like Guerrilla Games and Mediatonic, as evidence that the effort has serious potential. No further details on funding or partnerships have been disclosed.