Epic Games’ Disney Shooter Delayed as Company Pivots to AI-First Development

Epic Games is shifting to an “AI-first” development strategy while working with The Walt Disney Company on an upcoming Marvel and Star Wars-themed shooter. The project has reportedly been delayed indefinitely as Epic reassesses its development process, staffing and use of artificial intelligence.

According to a Bloomberg report, anonymous people familiar with the project described the changes as a major turning point for development at the Unreal Engine maker.

Epic developers will guide AI-generated code and art

An internal Epic employee message seen by Bloomberg reportedly said that AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude, would generate the project’s code and art assets. Human developers would manage and guide the output.

The message described a workflow in which “no handwritten code is required” and art assets are “generated in a fully AI workflow.” The report also linked the project’s slower-than-expected development to the company’s AI upheaval and staffing shortages.

Epic and Disney’s $1.5 billion partnership faces delay

Epic and Disney announced their $1.5 billion partnership in early 2024. The collaboration was expected to produce a shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, with a planned release in March 2027. That release is now delayed indefinitely, according to Bloomberg.

“We embrace AI-powered development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative forces behind everything we do,” an Epic spokesperson said in a statement.

Tim Sweeney says AI is meant to expand development

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney addressed the company’s AI strategy shortly after the Bloomberg report was published.

“Here at Epic, we’re undergoing a massive pivot, moving our developers to recalibrate to make AI as fast as possible,” Sweeney wrote on social media.

“The goal is not to do the same thing with fewer people, but to enable everyone here to build more and better, benefiting every team using Unreal,” he added.