Guerrilla Games Co-Founder Builds European Game Engine to Counter US Dominance

*Arjan Brussee, a key figure from Guerrilla Games and Epic, aims to create a homegrown engine for European developers tired of relying on American tools like Unreal and Unity.*

Arjan Brussee, co-founder of Guerrilla Games and former technical director at Epic, is developing a new game engine positioned as a European alternative to dominant US-based options like Unreal and Unity. This move addresses growing concerns among European developers about dependence on foreign technology stacks that control core creative tools.

Game engines form the backbone of modern video game development, providing the software foundation for rendering graphics, handling physics, and managing assets. Until now, most studios have turned to Unreal Engine from Epic Games or Unity Technologies, both headquartered in the United States. These tools have powered hits from indie projects to AAA titles, but their US origins raise questions about data sovereignty, licensing terms, and long-term accessibility for developers outside America.

Brussee's background gives him unique insight into the engine space. He co-founded Guerrilla Games in 2000, the Dutch studio behind the Horizon series, which Sony acquired in 2016. After leaving Guerrilla, he joined Epic as technical director, working directly on Unreal Engine's evolution. Now independent, Brussee is channeling that expertise into this new project, explicitly framing it as a "European alternative" to break the monopoly held by US engines.

Details on the engine remain sparse at this stage. Brussee has not publicly outlined technical specifications, release timelines, or funding sources. The initiative appears to be in early development, driven by Brussee's vision rather than a large corporate backing. According to reports, the goal is to offer a toolset that aligns with European priorities, potentially emphasizing open standards, privacy compliance under GDPR, and reduced reliance on cloud services tied to American providers.

European game development has expanded rapidly, with studios in the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands producing globally competitive titles. Yet, the ecosystem lags in foundational tech. Developers often adapt US engines to fit local needs, which can introduce friction—think custom integrations for regional regulations or avoiding vendor lock-in. Brussee's engine could fill this gap, much like how Blender emerged as a free alternative to Adobe's suite for 3D modeling.

No immediate reactions have surfaced from Epic or Unity. Epic, which offers Unreal for free with royalties on revenue, has faced scrutiny over its business model, especially after antitrust battles with Apple and Google. Unity drew backlash last year with proposed runtime fees, prompting studios to explore alternatives like Godot, an open-source engine from New Zealand. Brussee's project enters this crowded but fragmented market, where US giants still hold over 80% share based on industry surveys—though exact figures for Europe are harder to pin down.

Counterpoints to this effort might highlight the challenges of building a competitive engine from scratch. Unreal and Unity benefit from massive communities, extensive documentation, and integrations with hardware from Nvidia to consoles. A new entrant would need to attract contributors quickly to avoid isolation. Some developers may stick with established tools for stability, viewing a European engine as a niche play rather than a full replacement.

This matters because it signals a push for technological independence in Europe, where regulators already scrutinize Big Tech's influence. For software engineers and technical founders building games, an alternative engine could mean more choices in tooling that respect local laws and foster innovation without cross-Atlantic dependencies. Brussee's credentials lend credibility; if he delivers a performant, accessible product, it could empower smaller studios to compete without the strings attached to US licenses.

European policymakers have shown interest in digital sovereignty, from the Gaia-X cloud initiative to funding for open-source projects. A game engine fits this mold, potentially qualifying for EU grants that prioritize strategic tech. Developers dealing with Unreal or Unity royalties might find Brussee's option appealing if it undercuts those costs while supporting similar workflows.

The real test will come in adoption. If Brussee's engine gains traction among indie teams in Amsterdam or Berlin, it could spark a broader shift. For now, it stands as a bold statement: Europe wants its own tools to shape its gaming future, not just consume America's.

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Sources

• Eurogamer