Elemental in Unreal Engine: From UE4 to UE5 lighting evolution

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In 2012, Epic Games unveiled Elemental, a tech demo that showcased the early capabilities of what would become the Unreal Engine 4. A decade later, visual effects artist Dylan Browne revisited the concept by porting the sequence to Unreal Engine 5, delivering a fresh take on the same core ideas.

The new version completed in a single day, highlighting a key evolution: while the original Elemental relied on static lighting, the updated rendition uses dynamic illumination powered by Lumen for more lifelike light behavior and real-time responsiveness.

Elemental on Unreal Engine 4:

Elemental on Unreal Engine 5:

For a clearer comparison, Browne shared a series of stills across social platforms, offering fans a closer look at how light, texture, and shading shift between the two engine generations.

Recently, observers noted Helena Hansen’s reinterpretation of a 30-year-old Lara Croft from a newer Tomb Raider installment, illustrating how familiar characters can be reimagined with modern engines. Meanwhile, discussions around Genshin Impact and related topics continue to surface across gaming communities.

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