Epic shifts to ‘AI-accelerated development’ for upcoming Disney game
Epic Games plans to use AI to generate code and art for an unannounced Disney game, which is now delayed from its original March release window, according to a report from Bloomberg. The project's developers have been given an "AI-first" mandate directing them to use tools like Anthropic's Claude more to finish the game. According […]
Epic Games has postponed its planned Disney game, a shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, and instructed developers to adopt an AI-first production approach. Bloomberg reported that the game, initially set for March release, has seen no revised date confirmed. Sources revealed developers were directed to incorporate AI tools like Anthropic's Claude and eliminate manual coding.
An Epic director emphasized full AI-driven art generation. Epic's communications head Jake Jones announced the company's embrace of AI-accelerated development. Disney declined to comment. Developers, upon learning of the shift during a video call, expressed surprise. Some sources suggested the project lagged due to Epic's overestimation of resources needed.
While Epic has previously encouraged AI adoption, no other major studio has undertaken a game primarily created with AI. Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic last year and held a stake in the company. The two firms jointly announced a multi-game partnership, with this AI-driven shooter as the inaugural title. In March, Epic announced 1,000 job cuts amid declining Fortnite engagement.
A 2026 GDC survey found over a third of developers used AI, with more than half viewing it negatively for the industry.
Written by urgent.news from GamesIndustry's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Epic Games tells employees to use AI to get Disney game done avclub.com
- Epic Games delays Disney game and tells developers to go "AI first" gamesindustry.biz
- Sources: Epic has delayed the release of an upcoming game, instructing developers to implement an "AI first" production model with "no more hand-written code" (Jason Schreier/Bloomberg) bloomberg.com
- Everyone's saying the same thing about Epic’s AI-first Disney game – and it's not good creativebloq.com
- Epic reportedly delays Disney video game project as it mandates AI workflows seekingalpha.com
- Epic Games reportedly pivoting to "AI first" game development model links.arstechnica.com
- Epic Games reportedly pivoting to "AI first" game development model arstechnica.com
