The gaming industry has been navigating turbulent waters in recent times, with layoffs, studio closures, and dwindling funds casting a shadow over many developers. Enrique Fuentes, CEO and co-founder of Teravision Games, felt the impact of this instability firsthand. After releasing the well-received asymmetrical horror game Killer Klowns From Outer Space, based on the 80s cult classic movie, Teravision found itself in a challenging position. Despite positive reviews, including a 7/10 from IGN, which praised the game as "as silly and entertaining as the movie that spawned it," and high viewership for its trailers, securing a follow-up project proved difficult.

"2024 was a tough year for the entire industry," Fuentes reflects. "It took us longer than expected to secure our next project." Despite previous collaborations with major names like Disney, Nickelodeon, and Xbox, Teravision struggled to find their next venture. With time running out, the studio, comprised of industry veterans with two decades of experience, turned to an innovative solution: developing games within Fortnite. In under a year, they launched three games using Unreal Engine for Fortnite (UEFN), with their fourth game, Courtyard King, released today, leveraging the official The Walking Dead content pack in UEFN.

In partnership with Skybound, the company co-founded by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, Courtyard King is a King of the Hill-style multiplayer PvPvE game set in the iconic prison location from the series. Players battle each other and NPC zombies to control territory, utilizing official assets that include character models of Rick Grimes, Negan, and Daryl Dixon. Beyond assets, Teravision collaborated with Skybound's writers to develop the game's narrative and dialogue.

"Unlike the multi-year development cycle of Killer Klowns From Outer Space, these projects can be completed in weeks or months," says Fuentes. "We've worked with big brands before, but we never imagined UEFN would be the platform where we'd engage with a company like Skybound. User-generated content (UGC) is one of the biggest trends in gaming right now."

UGC, particularly within platforms like Fortnite, is transforming the gaming landscape. While traditionally, UGC refers to content created by players, professional studios like Teravision are now tapping into this trend. Fortnite's Unreal Engine 5-based tools provide an ideal environment for experienced developers to experiment with new concepts. "It made sense for us, coming from an engineering background," Fuentes explains. "We could experiment and manage risk more effectively."

Teravision's foray into UEFN began with Havoc Hotel, a roguelike shooter set in a hotel where players fight through levels, earning currency to upgrade their weapons. The success of Havoc Hotel allowed the series to continue, culminating in Havoc Hotel 3, which has become one of Fortnite's most popular games.

Martin Rodriguez, a game designer at Teravision, notes that the transition to UEFN was seamless given their prior experience with Unreal Engine. "The systems are streamlined, and processes are more 'drag and drop,'" he says. "It allows us to focus on creating better games and exploring new creative ideas."

While the engineering team adapted easily to UEFN's tools, the game design team faced unique challenges. Games like Havoc Hotel started as experiments but evolved into distinct experiences. Teravision's creative director, LD Zambrano, highlights the differences between traditional games and UEFN games. "In traditional games, players engage through objectives that encourage cooperation and competition," Zambrano explains. "In UEFN, we've found that experiences popular within the Fortnite ecosystem often revolve around context rather than clear competition."

Zambrano likens UEFN games to schoolyard play. "It's like recess, where you meet someone and create a game that might not make sense but fosters engagement and friendships," he says. This approach is evident in Courtyard King, an infinite game with no final winner. Matches continue indefinitely, allowing players to join and leave, switch teams, and create dynamic scenarios that reflect the unpredictable nature of The Walking Dead.

"Players can drop in and out at will, even switching teams mid-match, which can lead to betrayals reminiscent of The Walking Dead," Fuentes notes. This innovative approach raises questions about the future of game development. While it positions studios within the ecosystems of larger platforms like Epic Games or Roblox, it also offers a viable model for indie developers to experiment without exhausting their resources.

"UEFN allows us to assume risk as an indie developer," says Fuentes. "Last year, starting a three-year project was unthinkable. Now, we can develop something in weeks with a smaller team, which changes the paradigm for new developers. It's a dream come true for indie developers if you have the right ideas and creativity."