Switching Undisputed from Unity to Unreal Engine: A Development Nightmare or Necessary Evolution?

Switching Undisputed from Unity to Unreal Engine: A Development Nightmare or Necessary Evolution?

For nearly five years, Undisputed has been in development under Steel City Interactive (SCI), using the Unity engine. However, with mounting criticism regarding the game’s visuals, physics, and overall mechanics, rumors and speculation have surfaced about the possibility of SCI shifting to Unreal Engine. If such a move happens, it raises significant questions: How difficult will this transition be? Will it harm the game’s overall development after so much time invested? And if they proceed, will SCI split resources into maintaining both engines?

The Challenge of Switching Engines Mid-Development

Changing game engines is not a simple task, especially after nearly five years of work. Unity and Unreal Engine operate fundamentally differently, and while some assets may transfer over, much of the work would need to be rebuilt from scratch. This would include:

• Recreating core mechanics – The way physics, animations, and movement behave in Unity cannot be directly translated into Unreal. SCI would have to reprogram and fine-tune key gameplay mechanics to match—or even improve upon—the previous iteration.
• Reworking visual assets and shaders – Unreal Engine offers better graphical capabilities than Unity, but that also means SCI would need to rework lighting, shading, and models to take full advantage of its features.
• AI and logic overhauls – If AI and simulation logic were built around Unity’s architecture, porting them to Unreal would require a significant rewrite, potentially leading to delays or unforeseen gameplay issues.
• Relearning the workflow – SCI has spent years working in Unity, meaning their entire workflow—tools, pipelines, and internal expertise—is built around that engine. Moving to Unreal requires time for the team to relearn and redevelop their processes.

Will It Hurt Development After Five Years?

If SCI is seriously considering an engine switch this late in development, it suggests that Unity is limiting Undisputed in ways they can’t overcome. While Unreal Engine could provide long-term benefits, the immediate impact could be devastating to the game’s progress.

• Delays are inevitable – Whether it's a full transition or a partial one, rebuilding core features in a new engine will take time. This could push the game's official release even further back, frustrating players already losing patience with early access.
• Resources will be stretched thin – SCI isn’t a massive studio with an unlimited budget. Moving to Unreal while continuing to support the Unity version would require either hiring new staff or overloading their current team, slowing development across the board.
• Risk of lost progress – After five years of development, there’s no guarantee that everything will transfer over smoothly. Some features, mechanics, or visual aspects may need to be entirely remade, leading to inconsistencies or setbacks.

Will SCI Work on Two Engines Simultaneously?

One of the biggest concerns is whether SCI will attempt to maintain two different versions of Undisputed: one in Unity and one in Unreal. This would be highly inefficient unless they plan on releasing the Unity version while slowly transitioning to Unreal for future updates or a sequel.

• Dividing a small team could be disastrous – If SCI splits its team into maintaining Unity while developing Unreal Engine assets, it could slow both versions, leading to unfinished features, bugs, and mismanagement.
• A clean break might be better – If they are committed to Unreal, the best approach might be a complete rebuild, ensuring they don’t waste resources maintaining two engines. However, this would mean a much longer wait before the full game is ready.

Final Thoughts: A Necessary Step or a Risky Gamble?

The decision to switch engines would not be made lightly, and if SCI truly believes Unreal Engine is necessary for the future of Undisputed, they need a clear and transparent plan. While Unreal offers better visual fidelity, more robust physics, and a stronger long-term foundation, the cost in time and resources could significantly harm the game’s progress.

Unless SCI has the backing to support a full transition without crippling development, switching engines mid-stream is a dangerous gamble. If they proceed, fans should brace for delays and the possibility that Undisputed may not reach its full potential for several more years.