Unreal Engine is a complete set of tools that allows developers and video game designers to create realistic, interactive environments across desktop, mobile, and console platforms as well as in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). Development on the first Unreal Engine began back in 1995 by Tim Sweeney of Epic Games, with the first video game built on the engine, first-person shooter Unreal, released in 1998. The game was a critical success, and Epic Games began licensing the use of Unreal Engine to other developers, allowing them to design creations of their own using what quickly became known as one of the best tools for building life-like video games.