Rumor: Next Ghost Recon Game Could Be Ditching Ubisoft’s Engine for Unreal

A major shift may be coming to the Ghost Recon franchise. According to fresh reports, the next installment in the tactical shooter series is set to switch to Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant departure from Ubisoft’s long-standing tradition of using in-house technology. 🎮

⚙️ A Break from Ubisoft’s Custom Engines

Since the early 2000s, Ghost Recon titles have largely been built on proprietary engines developed by Ubisoft. There were a few exceptions — during the sixth console generation, some versions of Ghost Recon 2 and Advanced Warfighter ran on modified builds of Unreal Engine 2, but even then, PC ports stayed loyal to Ubisoft tech.

Here’s a quick rundown of past engines used:

• Future Soldier & Ghost Recon Phantoms – built on Ubisoft’s LEAD Engine
• Wildlands & Breakpoint – powered by AnvilNext 2.0, originally designed for Assassin’s Creed

Now, according to Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson, Ubisoft is reportedly pivoting back to Unreal — but this time, they're going all in with Unreal Engine 5.

Insider Report Hints at Big Tech Shift

On the latest Insider Gaming Weekly Podcast, Henderson claimed the next Ghost Recon title — often referred to as a Breakpoint sequel — is “going to Unreal Engine.” While the exact reason behind Ubisoft's decision remains unclear, the report suggests this could be a full-scale engine transition for the franchise.

However, there's a catch...

Don't Expect the Very Latest Version of UE5

While Unreal Engine 5.6 launched in June 2025 (and powered CD Projekt Red’s viral Witcher 4 tech demo), it's unlikely the new Ghost Recon will use the most current version — unless it's still in very early development. 📆

Why? Because updating between versions of UE5 — say, from 5.0 to 5.6 — introduces major changes in rendering, physics, asset handling, and plugin compatibility. These updates can break large-scale AAA pipelines, especially ones packed with custom code and third-party tools.

So, even if Ghost Recon is using UE5, it may be sticking with a stable, older version to avoid delays and technical hiccups.

Why the Engine Switch Actually Matters

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed during a July 10 shareholder meeting that a new Ghost Recon game is indeed in development. If the project is moving to Unreal, there’s a clear upside:

Hiring gets easier.With Unreal Engine being industry-standard, Ubisoft can recruit experienced devs faster and onboard new talent more efficiently, compared to relying on proprietary tools.

What About the Player Experience?

From a gamer’s perspective, this engine shift might not matter much. While some fans raise concerns about “UE5 stutter” or optimization problems, those issues usually stem from how a developer implements the engine, not from Unreal itself.

So, assuming Ubisoft’s dev teams handle it well, the move could actually result in better visuals, smoother pipelines, and more innovation — without the burden of outdated tech. 🚀

Stay tuned for more news as the next Ghost Recon shapes up. If this engine rumor holds true, it could signal a bold new direction for the franchise — and possibly Ubisoft as a whole. 🕶️📡