Game Developers Developing Their Games In Other Games

With the traditional game industry squeezed by layoffs, rising costs, and vanishing funding, some studios are finding a new frontier inside other games. One standout example is Teravision Games, the studio behind Killer Klowns from Outer Space, they have turned to Fortnite’s Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) to thrive and evolve.

After launching Killer Klowns, Teravision struggled to land their next big project. So, they pivoted. Instead of betting on another multi-year gamble, they dove into UEFN, a version of Unreal Engine 5 tailored to Fortnite. The result: Courtyard King, a multiplayer PvPvE game built using The Walking Dead assets, developed in partnership with Skybound.

Unlike traditional development, this model works because it cuts timelines from years to months, lowers financial risk, and taps directly into Fortnite’s massive built-in player base. UEFN, with its streamlined Unreal workflows, lets Teravision’s veteran engineers focus on creative design rather than engine infrastructure.  One of their UEFN titles, Havoc Hotel, now in its third version, it's a hit.

Fortnite isn’t alone. Roblox has been leading this model for years. Studios like Gamefam create full branded experiences (Sonic, Kung Fu Panda) within Roblox’s massive ecosystem. Meanwhile, Rockstar might be working to add user-generated content to GTA VI, having acquired Cfx.re—the team behind the FiveM mod.

There are also concerning issues with the rise of this trend, building inside someone else's platform isn’t without trade-offs. Developers operate under another company’s rules, with limited control over monetization, updates, or long-term access. Success depends not just on game quality, but on visibility within a crowded ecosystem controlled by an algorithm they don’t own.

Still, for studios facing shrinking budgets and uncertain futures, these trade-offs can be a small price to pay. Creating within platforms like Fortnite offers a lifeline—a fast, flexible way to keep making games, connect with players, and stay afloat when the alternative might be closing the doors for good.