Kevin Lanning

We’re excited to partner with Epic Games to bring a growing library of 3D characters, outfits, and assets into the Fab ecosystem. Our goal is simple: make Daz content accessible to more creators, in more places, across more types of projects. To support modern pipelines, these assets are delivered in standard, engine-ready formats, making them easy to use in Unreal Engine, Unity, and beyond. This is an important step toward meeting creators where they work, and we’re just getting started. https://lnkd.in/g_yzEfCd

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It's been said looking for work is a full time job. I think it's more like 2 or 3. Looking for a new position can be exhausting, draining, even depressing at times. To all my colleagues at Epic and across the games industry who have been victims of lay offs, taking care of your mental health should be your second priority. Don't spend all day on Linkedin! Spend time outside, with family, focusing on your own well being. I've been amazed at how much being physically active can completely change my mood. Go on a walk, play soccer with your kids, anything that gets your heart rate up will make you feel better immediately. Find joy. Read, cook, bake, play games, whatever helps you focus on an achievable task that you enjoy. I'm lucky I got a walking pad for my standing desk last year, been on it daily. I've baked 3 loaves of sourdough since E day. I volunteered for my son's field trip last week. Some days are better than others, but I'm trying to be proactive about managing the mental load of finding a new role. We're in this together, and if there's anything I can do to help please reach out. We're a community, not just an industry.

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Today was a difficult day. As many people now know, Epic went through a significant round of layoffs. While I was not personally impacted, many incredibly talented and genuinely wonderful people were. These are people I deeply respect, and I am better for having had the opportunity to work alongside them. To everyone affected, I want to express my sympathy and offer my support however I can. I’m happy to assist with recommendations, resume reviews, interview prep, or simply being someone to talk to. When I was laid off in the past, I remember feeling hesitant to ask colleagues for recommendations because I worried I was bothering them. A friend gave me advice that has stayed with me: "Never feel bad asking for connections or recommendations. One day, I may be asking you for the same help, and I know you would offer it without hesitation". That spirit of showing up for one another is one of the most important things we can do in tech, especially in moments like this. I encourage you to check in on your friends and former colleagues. Make sure they’re really doing okay. Don’t worry about being a bother. Hearing from people who care can make a real difference when you're going through tough times.

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A billion dollars paid out in just over three years. At Unreal Fest in Chicago, Epic Games revealed that it has paid more than $1 billion to creators since launching Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) in 2023, underscoring the growing opportunity for developers building experiences inside Fortnite. "As of January, we've introduced more ways to monetize, opening up new genres and helping developers with smaller, engaged communities," said Epic Games' Hannah Lowry during the State of Unreal keynote presentation. Read more from Alexander Lee: https://lnkd.in/gHJnCwTT

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A lot of friends and colleagues were impacted by the recent Epic Games layoffs, and elsewhere. I’m lucky to have worked alongside incredibly talented and genuinely good people in our industry, and it’s hard to see so many going through uncertainty at once. A video game is one of the few things in life where art, technology, and emotion come together — and you don’t just observe it, you live in it. That’s why this work means so much to me. And it’s why moments like this are felt broadly and deeply. This industry can be tough. But it’s also full of like-minded people who care deeply about what they create and who they create it with. And if you’re in that position right now — I’m thinking of you. You’re skilled, you’re valuable, and this isn’t the end of your story. If you need anything — even just a fellow game dev to talk to — please feel free to reach out. #gameindustry #videogames #art #environmentartist #wishingyouluck

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I will also be presenting at Serious Play this year! Look for my session on Taking the Plunge: Getting Started with Unreal Engine From Scratch. We will be taking a beginner look at getting started with Unreal and the hands-on resources we have to start learning the engine.

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Epic Games announced today that is has paid out $1 billion to creators since launching Unreal Editor for Fortnite in 2023. At the close of Epic Games #UnrealFest keynote in #Chicago today, Tim Sweeney addressed what he called a “time of crisis and also opportunity” in the gaming industry. “And that is that a future of high-quality gaming rising to the challenge, and linking up our content, linking up our communities, and linking up our economies to deliver fun and to serve game gamers with great games in a way we’ve never done before,” Sweeney said. “And to accomplish that, we’re going to all need to change the way we build things.” Here's the story by Dean Takahashi: https://lnkd.in/g9iKSekq Full coverage of today's announcements here by Alexander Lee and GamesBeat: https://lnkd.in/g_gWKvge

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To the all those affected by the Epic layoffs — Seeing this news, especially on the heels of the RSE layoffs, really hits home for the gutted NC game dev ecosystem. Many friends, former coworkers, students that I have taught and mentored and tons of other people that I have talked with were affected. Just know that being laid off is now part of the culture and does not in any way affect or define who you are as a developer. You are valued and have tons of talent (or you would not have been hired in the first place)! If you're affected and I can do anything at all to help this transition: a LinkedIn recommendation, a written reference, a connection, or just a conversation... don't hesitate to reach out. I mean that sincerely. Wishing every one of you the fulfilling, opportunity you deserve. I'll be rooting for you and will help any way I can.

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Big studios and indie filmmakers alike continue to embrace #UnrealEngine to help craft their stories. Check out how director Curry Baker and DP Taylor Clemons used UE to storyboard every shot on #Obsession, the record breaking hit for Universal and Focus Features, so they knew exactly what they wanted before they walked on set. Taylor wrote a great piece for American Cinematographer that goes deep on the process: https://lnkd.in/gwrVKZkp And Curry breaks it down in this bonus feature: https://lnkd.in/gq42q_RN #UnrealEngine #VirtualProduction #Previs #Filmmaking

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