Apex Legends primarily utilizes a heavily modified version of the Source engine for its core PC and console experience. However, its mobile counterpart, Apex Legends Mobile, was built on Unreal Engine 4.
The Source Engine: Powering the Main Game
Apex Legends, a battle royale game set in the Titanfall universe, runs on a customized iteration of Valve's Source engine. This engine has been significantly adapted by Respawn Entertainment, the game's developer, to accommodate the fast-paced gameplay, vast environments, and unique character abilities that define Apex Legends. The Source engine is known for its robust physics system and optimization capabilities, which have been critical in delivering a smooth experience across various platforms.
The main game, built on this modified Source engine, is available on:
- PlayStation 4
- Windows
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
The initial release for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One was on February 4, 2019. The Nintendo Switch version launched later on March 9, 2021, followed by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S optimized versions on March 29, 2022.
Unreal Engine 4: The Mobile Adaptation
For the mobile version of the game, Apex Legends Mobile, a different engine was chosen to better suit the specific requirements and optimizations for mobile devices. This version was developed using Unreal Engine 4, a powerful and versatile engine widely used for high-fidelity mobile gaming.
Apex Legends Mobile was available on:
- Android
- iOS
It was released on May 17, 2022.
Engine Overview
To summarize the engines used by Apex Legends across its different versions:
| Game Version | Engine Used | Primary Platforms | Initial Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Legends | Modified Source engine | PC (Windows), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | February 4, 2019 |
| Apex Legends Mobile | Unreal Engine 4 | Android, iOS | May 17, 2022 |
