Unreal Engine dominates surveyed game developers in 2026 report

A new survey for the 2026 State of the Game Industry report found 42% of developers primarily use Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, outpacing Unity at 30%. Usage was even higher among mid-tier and top-tier studios, with 59% and 47% adoption rates respectively. Despite this shift, many hit games still rely on custom-developed, in-house engines. The industry’s split: build your own tech, or go with an all-in-one platform.

• Unreal Engine used by 42% of surveyed developers
• Unity holds 30% primary usage
• 59% of mid-tier studios use Unreal Engine
• 47% of top studios also use Unreal
• Many major games use proprietary, in-house engines