Epic Games loses development veteran - he declared the end of an "entire era" in the industry

Epic Games veteran Sjoerd de Jong is leaving the company, stating that the gaming industry has reached a "tipping point."

Recently, the first details about Unreal Engine 6 emerged. The new version of the engine will be an evolution of the series and focuses on generative AI, which has sparked discussions in the industry.

Sjoerd de Jong, who served as Senior Director at Epic Games, announced his departure from the company on LinkedIn. He joined the studio in 2014 and has been working in the industry since 1999, when he was involved in level design for Unreal Tournament.

In his message, he thanked his colleagues and noted that the industry is changing, and the current era "has come to an end."

I've seen a lot over the years, but what I remember most is the community and everyone who creates cool things, as well as all the energy and passion that comes with it. In the end, it all comes down to creating, enjoying the process, and helping each other.
But with all that, I feel that this era has come to an end, and it's time to move on. The industry is at a very interesting point right now. The gaming industry has always been a field where change is inevitable and constant, but now we seem to be approaching a tipping point and a combination of many factors.
As much as I love the old ways of working, I think it's important to embrace where things are going and understand how to adapt and cope with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Sjoerd de Jong did not directly mention AI, but he is likely referring to the growth of artificial intelligence technologies.