The Wayward Realms Engine Switch
Ex-Bethesda Devs Ditch Unreal Engine 5 for Custom Tech

The Wayward Realms, a highly anticipated Elder Scrolls Daggerfall successor developed by former Bethesda veterans, has made a bold technical pivot by abandoning Unreal Engine 5. The development team announced they are now building the game on a proprietary engine crafted specifically to deliver a far better gameplay experience.
This move reflects a growing trend among ambitious game studios seeking greater control and optimization beyond what off-the-shelf engines can provide. By creating a custom engine, the developers aim to better realize their vision of a sprawling, immersive RPG world that honors and expands upon the legacy of classic Elder Scrolls titles.
While Unreal Engine 5 offers impressive capabilities, the team felt that a bespoke solution would allow for more tailored performance improvements and unique gameplay features. Fans of the series and RPG enthusiasts alike can look forward to a game designed from the ground up with enhanced technical foundations to support its ambitious scope and depth.