# Opensource Video Game Platforms Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4 Lets Users Build Games for Free By Meghan Young | Published 2015-03-03 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unreal-engine-4 References: [theverge](http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/2/8134677/epic-unreal-engine-4-free) & [unrealengine](https://www.unrealengine.com/blog/ue4-is-free) With the creation of Unreal Engine 4, Epic Games has created a platform that allows [small developers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indiehub) and other users to build their own video games. An [opensource solution](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hievents) to the need for more creativity, it opens the doors (and windows) to countless of possibilities and opportunities. Not to mention that Unreal Engine 4 will appeal to entrepreneurial individuals looking for a specific outlet for their skills. A free program, Unreal Engine 4 let's developers make money off of their creation. Not after Epic Games takes a cut, though. The [Verge](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/performancedriven-gaming-peripherals) reports, "After a game grosses $3,000 in revenue, Epic will take 5 percent per quarter; before last year, the company took 25 percent of revenue after a game grossed $50,000." Yet that appears to be a fair business model. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Opensource Video Game Development:** The creation of Unreal Engine 4 has facilitated the growth of opensource video game development, providing a platform for small developers and other users to build their own games. - **Creative Empowerment:** Unreal Engine 4 offers a free and accessible solution for individuals seeking a specific outlet to express their creativity through game development. - **Disruptive Revenue Sharing Model:** Epic Games' revenue sharing model for Unreal Engine 4, which takes only 5 percent after a game grosses $3,000 in revenue, presents a disruptive opportunity for developers to monetize their creations economically and efficiently. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Video Game Development:** Unreal Engine 4 is revolutionizing the video game development industry by enabling small developers and users to build and monetize their own games. - **Creative Software Solutions:** The launch of Unreal Engine 4 signifies a breakthrough in creative software solutions, empowering individuals to express their creativity and skills in a more accessible manner. - **Digital Revenue Models:** The disruptive revenue sharing model of Unreal Engine 4 presents opportunities for the digital revenue landscape, potentially reshaping how developers monetize their creations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Level-Building Game Modes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epic-games-2.md) - [Accessible Game Development Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crazygames-struckd.md) - [Startup-Founded Gaming Engines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supergaming.md) - [Interactive Creation Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/from-rooms.md) - [Developer Content Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epic-games-fab.md) - [Pay-What-You-Want Gaming Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paywhatyouwant-gaming-platform.md) - [UGC Creation Infrastructure](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ugc-creation.md) - [Revolutionary MMO Game Engines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mythos-engine.md) - [No-Code Gamebuilder Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperpad.md)