OnceLost Games Transitions to Proprietary Engine for The Wayward Realms

OnceLost Games, a studio formed by former Bethesda developers, has announced a significant change in the development of their upcoming RPG, The Wayward Realms. The team has decided to abandon Unreal Engine 5 in favor of a proprietary engine, a move they believe will enhance their creative control and technical performance. This decision follows player feedback emphasizing the desire for complex systems and meaningful gameplay, which the developers felt Unreal Engine could not adequately support.

Bethesda veterans ditch UE5 for optimization miracle. New open-world RPG will run on a 10-year-old laptopThe Wayward Realms Dev Steps Away From Unreal Engine And Immediately Sees Performance BoostEx-Elder Scrolls devs move away from Unreal Engine for new game, boast “smooth performance” on low-end hardwareAfter Trying Unreal, New Fantasy RPG from Former Elder Scrolls Leads Returns to Bethesda Roots with Proprietary Engine That “More Than Doubled” Development Speed

The new engine is designed to run efficiently on low-end hardware, achieving over 30 frames per second (FPS) on laptops that are over a decade old and without dedicated graphics cards. Additionally, the game reportedly runs at nearly 30 FPS on the first-generation Nintendo Switch, ensuring broad compatibility across platforms, including Linux. The engine boasts impressive loading times, with the expansive game world, Eyjar, loading in under one second and the engine itself initializing in approximately 300 milliseconds. These enhancements have reportedly more than doubled the development speed for the team.

Ex-Elder Scrolls devs move away from Unreal Engine for new game, boast “smooth performance” on low-end hardware

Due to the transition to this new technology, OnceLost Games has revised its release timeline. The game is now expected to be available to Kickstarter backers by June 2026, a delay from the previously anticipated end-of-year release. Following this, an Early Access launch is planned for a few months later. The studio has communicated that while this shift is a significant step forward, it necessitates additional time to ensure the game meets the high expectations set by its predecessor, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.

The Wayward Realms Dev Steps Away From Unreal Engine And Immediately Sees Performance Boost

OnceLost Games has committed to fostering a modding community around The Wayward Realms. The new engine will support full community modding for elements outside the core systems, utilizing a public scripting language inspired by C#. This initiative is a tribute to the Daggerfall Unity community, reflecting the studio's dedication to maintaining a vibrant player-driven ecosystem similar to that of Skyrim.

Ex-Elder Scrolls devs move away from Unreal Engine for new game, boast “smooth performance” on low-end hardware

In their update, the developers stated, “Moving to our own engine is a significant step — it positions us to build a far better game.” They acknowledged the delay in the release schedule but emphasized that the transition is crucial for delivering the deep, systems-driven experience that fans desire.

Ex-Elder Scrolls devs move away from Unreal Engine for new game, boast “smooth performance” on low-end hardware

OnceLost Games will host a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on December 3rd, where fans can learn more about the new engine and the project's status. This engagement aims to provide transparency and address any questions from the community regarding the development process.

Bethesda veterans ditch UE5 for optimization miracle. New open-world RPG will run on a 10-year-old laptop

The decision to shift away from Unreal Engine 5 to a proprietary engine marks a pivotal moment for OnceLost Games and The Wayward Realms. With a focus on performance, community engagement, and a commitment to delivering a complex RPG experience, the studio is poised to redefine its development trajectory, albeit with an extended timeline for release.

The Wayward Realms Dev Steps Away From Unreal Engine And Immediately Sees Performance Boost