Epic Games Delays Marvel and Star Wars Crossover Game Amid Generative AI Push

Epic Games has delayed an unannounced shooter featuring characters from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises. According to reports from Polygon, GamesIndustry, IGN, and Eurogamer, the Disney collaboration was previously slated for a March 2027 release, but it is now without a confirmed new date. GamesIndustry and IGN note that development fell behind schedule because Epic misjudged the staffing and time required for the project.

The company is reportedly pushing developers to adopt an "AI first" production model to complete the game. Sources cited by Bloomberg, as reported by GamesIndustry, IGN, and Eurogamer, state that developers have been encouraged to use generative AI tools such as Anthropic’s Claude, with staff expected to oversee the output. An internal message from a game director reportedly told staff there would be "no more hand-written code" and that all game art would be generated through full AI workflows.

Epic communications director Jake Jones stated to Bloomberg that the company is "embracing AI-accelerated development," noting that Epic developers serve as the visionaries and creative drivers for their work. While Bloomberg reported that some developers were stunned by the news during a video call last week, Disney has not immediately responded to requests for comment, according to GamesIndustry.

Brief written by urgent.news from Polygon, GamesIndustry, IGN, Eurogamer — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.