DayZ Creator Sounds Off: Is Big Tech Poisoning the Game Industry’s Soul?

Dean Hall Critiques Major Game Engines While Launching Brutal Framework

Dean Hall, known for creating DayZ and Icarus, elaborated on his new game-making framework, Brutal, in correspondence with Eurogamer. He took the opportunity to address misconceptions regarding the inclusion of generative AI in Brutal, stating, “There is no generative AI inside it, no tooling or scripts for making generative AI assets.” He emphasized that the framework’s purpose is to help assemble games rather than generate assets.

“I want to say developers will tear down Unity and Unreal, but it is Unreal and Unity who are tearing themselves down.” – Dean Hall

Hall expressed confusion over the emphasis both Epic’s Unreal Engine and Unity place on generative AI, critiquing their human-centric workflows. He questioned the inherent value of a human-centric approach without human input, asking, “If we take all the promises as true, why would a human-centric workflow without the human be better than a language-centric workflow provided to a language model?”

He conveyed concerns regarding an “inconsistency” in the business models of these major engines, suggesting that as the cost of self-generated tools approaches zero, the need for existing engine solutions diminishes. Hall noted that the current trajectory of Unreal and Unity could inadvertently compromise their own business models.

Highlighting the control these companies have over developers, Hall questioned whether the situation could improve. He stated, “Is that going to get better?” He further clarified that while the Brutal framework is not necessarily a definitive solution, it is intended to offer a starting point for developers seeking alternatives.

Regarding his previous commitment, Hall confirmed that RocketWerkz has no immediate plans to remove Icarus from Unreal Engine 4, even though they are moving away from it. He explained that switching the engine would disrupt the loyal player base that has come to trust the ongoing updates since Icarus launched.

In an original post made earlier, Hall decried the “greed” he sees as “rotting” the gaming industry, specifically targeting Epic and Unity. “Our industry is rotting from its core… driven by a race to the bottom on price.” He pointed out the significant loss of control developers experience with these companies, which prompted him to act.

Brutal, he described, is designed to foster freedom, allowing developers to either use it to create games or integrate it with existing engines. Hall made clear that Brutal is open-source and free for commercial use, with no royalties or revenue sharing imposed.

“Tim [Sweeney] was, for a long time, a hero of mine…” – Dean Hall

Describing his growing dissatisfaction with current industry practices, Hall recounted a conversation with Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games. He noted that while Sweeney’s past influence inspired him, he became frustrated as discussions shifted towards trends rather than addressing persistent issues like performance and stability.

Hall reiterated that he does not see Unreal as accountable enough to developers, particularly concerning royalty fees based on game revenues. He believes the emergence of frameworks like Brutal could alter the power dynamics in the industry, giving developers more options. “You are only as independent as your tools are,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of accountability.

Reflecting on his career since leaving DayZ, Hall recognized the challenges he faced while leading his own studio and managing successful projects. Icarus continues to thrive as a co-op survival crafting game, while Kitten Space Agency, which is currently in pre-alpha, embraces similar themes as Kerbal Space Program. Notably, Kitten Space Agency has garnered over $230,000 through its unique distribution model, further highlighting Hall’s innovative approach to game development.

News Courtesy of Eurogamer