Epic Games has officially announced Unreal Engine 6, the next iteration of its game development technology, during the Rocket League Paris Major event in France. The company confirmed that Rocket League will be the first title built using the new engine, showcasing a one-minute trailer described as depicting “the next era of Rocket League.” According to Epic, the footage was rendered in real time using Unreal Engine 6.
First Public Mention of Unreal Engine 6
The reveal marks the first public mention of Unreal Engine 6, which debuted with a new purple logo. However, Epic did not disclose additional technical details about the engine or elaborate on how the upcoming version of Rocket League will differ from the current game. Rocket League currently runs on Unreal Engine 3, a technology that has been in use for nearly two decades. The transition to Unreal Engine 6 could represent a significant technical upgrade for the title.
Timing and Speculation
Unreal Engine 6 arrives four years after the launch of Unreal Engine 5, which powers many modern titles, including Fortnite. While Epic has not revealed specific capabilities of the new engine, the timing has sparked speculation that it will support games designed for future console generations expected in the coming years. Earlier this year, Xbox confirmed that its next-generation console, reportedly codenamed Project Helix, is designed to run both Xbox and PC games and is expected to reach developers around 2027.
Reports also suggest that Sony may release a new PlayStation 6 hardware generation alongside a portable device. However, during a recent earnings call, Sony stated that it has not yet finalized the launch timeline or pricing for the next PlayStation platform.
Unanswered Questions
For now, Epic’s announcement leaves several questions unanswered about Unreal Engine 6 and the future of Rocket League. The trailer offers only a first glimpse of what the company describes as its next phase, with further details expected in the future.
