Epic delays Disney game to adopt AI-first development approach

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 22:43 · Archive

Epic Games has delayed an upcoming Disney-themed shooter game to implement an 'AI first' development strategy.

Epic Games has delayed its collaborative game with Disney to shift to an 'AI first' development model, according to Bloomberg's reporting based on sources familiar with the project. The upcoming shooter, themed around Marvel and Star Wars franchises, will now use AI to generate all code and artwork, with human developers tasked with managing and guiding assets created by models such as Anthropic's Claude. Internal Epic messages viewed by Bloomberg stated 'no more hand-written code' and ordered art to be 'generated with full AI workflows'.

The game was previously scheduled to release in March 2027 but is now delayed indefinitely. The project is part of Epic's $1.5 billion collaboration with Disney announced in early 2024. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney stated on social media that the company is undergoing 'a huge pivot here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration', adding that the aim is to 'enable everyone here to build MORE and BETTER stuff'.

An Epic spokesperson said: 'We're embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers for everything we do.' However, Bloomberg's sources indicated that the directive was not universally welcomed by developers, with some reportedly hoping it was not serious. According to GDC's annual survey, 52 per cent of developers view generative AI as bad for the industry, up from 30 per cent in 2025.

How it is being reported

• Epic Games reportedly pivoting to "AI first" game development model"No more hand-written code" or AI-free art for delayed Marvel/Star Wars shooter.Ars Technica · 12 Oct, 21:59
• Epic reportedly delays its Disney video game so it can be made using more AIDevelopers were apparently ordered to use AI for both code and asset creation.Engadget · 12 Oct, 21:48

In this story: Epic Games · Disney · Tim Sweeney · Anthropic

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