We are just weeks away from the unveiling of the GMC Hummer EV truck and SUV. And we expect a lot of bragging about impressive capabilities and unique features. What we didn’t expect was that the infotainment system would be built on a game engine. That’s the news from Epic Games, the makers of Unreal Engine, the foundation of Hummer’s infotainment system.
If you’ve been an avid video gamer for the past 20 years, Unreal Engine should be recognizable. The first version of it powered Epic’s “Unreal” and “Unreal Tournament” games, and more recent versions feature multiplayer hits like Epic’s “Fortnite” and Psyonix’s “Rocket League”. The engine has been licensed to numerous other game developers for titles from both indie developers and major game companies. But its use in the GMC Hummer will be the first time it powers a production car’s infotainment system.
Epic has not said which version of Unreal Engine is used in the Hummer. Presumably it is a version of Unreal Engine 4 as Unreal Engine 5 has not yet been released. While Epic has released a trailer announcing the partnership and showcasing Unreal’s 3D rendering and menu development tools, it doesn’t give us a highlight as to what the Hummer’s infotainment and instruments will look like. The company cites fast boot times, powerful graphics and over-the-air updates as useful features that come with Unreal. But for a clear look at the final product, we’ll have to wait for the October 20 reveal.
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