Fumito Ueda on why Gen Atlas has shooting but isn’t a shooter, cool robots, and generative AI
Legendary game designer Fumito Ueda, creator of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, is developing Gen Atlas, his studio’s first major release in a decade, published by Epic Games. The game features a silent protagonist navigating vast desert environments populated by colossal robots and mechanical beings that players can pilot and control by taking over mech bodies.
While the game incorporates shooting mechanics as part of its gameplay, Ueda emphasizes that Gen Atlas is not a shooter in the traditional sense. The game’s development incorporates generative AI as a component. Limited footage shown to press reveals the protagonist wandering through desert landscapes encountering massive robot structures, though many details about the game’s story, core mechanics, and overall narrative direction remain unclear.
The game represents a significant return for Ueda after his extended absence from game development, generating considerable anticipation given his acclaimed track record with previous titles. Epic Games’ involvement as publisher suggests a substantial budget and development scope for the project.