# Epic Games Is Just Trolling Fans at This Point With New $50k AI Game Contest

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/epic-games-is-just-trolling-fans-at-this-point-with-new-50k-ai-game-contest/
- Published: 2026-10-23T09:51:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T10:23:38+00:00
- Original publisher: Polygon
- Original article: https://www.polygon.com/epic-games-unreal-engine-ai-competition/
- Topics: AI, Technology

## Key points

- Epic is running a three-day AI game contest with $50,000 in prizes.
- AI use is optional, but the deadline may favour AI-assisted teams.
- The event adds to criticism of Epic’s push towards AI.

## Summary

Epic Games is hosting a three-day AI MegaJam from 12 to 15 November, inviting participants to make a game in Unreal Engine or Unreal Editor for Fortnite. The contest offers $50,000 in prizes and permits AI tools for coding and generating assets, audio, video and writing. Its promotion has drawn criticism, adding to concerns about Epic’s growing emphasis on AI in game development.

Participants may use licensed assets made by others, and teams keep the rights to their submissions; using AI is optional. Critics argue the short deadline makes it difficult for a team working without AI to compete, while Epic’s launch meme contrasted shipping a game in a weekend with taking months to prototype. The contest follows Epic telling developers to use AI tools and CEO Tim Sweeney publicly advocating AI in games.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.