In today’s competitive creative industries, animation students are always looking for ways to stand out and increase their employability. In March, I began researching job postings from these game companies and found that most of the animation positions at game companies require students to have Unreal Engine skills. One of the most influential tools is the Unreal Engine, a powerful real-time 3D authoring platform developed by Epic Games. Originally known for its use in video games, Unreal Engine has rapidly expanded into film, television, virtual production, architecture, and more. As such, what exactly does learning the Unreal Engine offer animation students entering the job market?

Traditional animation workflows involve long rendering times and rigid pipelines. In contrast, Unreal Engine enables real-time rendering, offering immediate feedback on lighting, animation, and camera angles. This real-time capability is a cornerstone of virtual production, used heavily in shows like The Mandalorian, produced by Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). Learning Unreal gives students access to this groundbreaking area of animation and VFX.
While Unreal Engine started in the gaming world, it’s now used across a variety of industries. Epic Games collaborates with studios like Weta FX, Framestore, and Sony Pictures Imageworks, where real-time tools are used for cinematic production and interactive storytelling. In automotive design, companies like BMW and Audi use Unreal to create virtual showrooms and animations. Learning Unreal allows animation students to pursue roles not only in entertainment but also in tech, education, architecture, and simulation industries.
Studios like Blur Studio (known for creating cinematic game trailers) and Digital Pictures (which produces detailed 3D films) are often seeking talent familiar with the Unreal workflow. A portfolio that includes Unreal Engine work can help animation students secure internships or entry-level positions at these game companies.
Studios today expect animators to collaborate seamlessly with developers and technical artists. Unreal Engine encourages this kind of interdisciplinary thinking, offering tools like the Blueprint visual scripting system, the Sequencer for animation editing, and the Metahuman Creator for realistic characters. Companies like The Third Floor, a leading previsualization studio, actively use Unreal in pre-production and appreciate talent that can operate within these hybrid pipelines.
Major studios such as Netflix Animation, Pixomondo, and Scanline VFX have adopted Unreal Engine to modernize their production processes. By learning Unreal early, animation students show they are forward-thinking and ready to integrate with cutting-edge technology, something highly valued by hiring teams.
Learning Unreal Engine is more than just acquiring a software skill, it’s a strategic advantage. It opens doors to a wide range of industries and can help us enrich our portfolios. Learning Unreal Engine can have a positive impact on animation students who want to stay relevant and competitive in an ever-changing industry.