Arena shooter classic Unreal has taken a step back these days with its creator, Epic Games, instead focusing more on the likes of Fortnite and its name-sake game engine – But if you’re a die-hard Unreal fan there’s now a perfect way to pick up the original Unreal 1 and its tournament shooter sequel together.
Epic Signs Off On Archive.org Versions of Unreal 1 and Unreal Tournament
Image Credit: Epic Games
In what is breath of fresh air for an industry willing to sue each other for game patents (Who can forget the Pokemon Company are currently suing the Palworld creators), Epic Games has given permission for Unreal fan and preservation site OldUnreal to host links and mirrors of installers of the Archive.org versions of Unreal Gold and Unreal Tournament Game of the Year Edition.
These original CD disk images will give you the ability to play these classic shooters completely free. And Epic Games officially gave the go ahead as per a statement to GamingOnLinux:
“We can confirm that Unreal 1 and Unreal Tournament are available on archive.org and people are free to independently link to and play these versions.
Considering these games are over 20 years old (Unreal Tournament released in 1999, and Unreal in 1998), it’s likely no loss to Epic Games who no longer distribute the games, although versions are for sale on both Steam and GOG.
Instead, Epic Games is much more concerned with their Unreal Engine (now on its fifth edition), which takes its name from this classic franchise. Unreal Engine 5 has been the backbone behind recent hits such as Black Myth: Wukong, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Stormgate. It’s also the engine behind upcoming release S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
Compare this to Blizzard, who still sell their 1996 classic Warcraft: Orcs & Humans for $6, and the just-released remaster for $10.
Still, it’s comforting to know that it’s now easier than ever to boot up Unreal Tournament, load up Facing Worlds, and snipe some bots. Easily one of the best things you can do in one of the best FPS games of all time.