Epic Games Restructures Disney Project Around Generative Tools
Epic Games has pushed back the launch of its upcoming collaborative shooter with the Walt Disney Company, shifting internal development toward an AI-first production model, according to Bloomberg. The unannounced title, which features characters from the Marvel and Star Wars universes, was originally slated for a March release before running into developmental hurdles.
Internal communications viewed by Bloomberg indicate that staff working on the project were instructed to implement generative tools from Anthropic, specifically utilizing Claude models to guide artwork and generate code. Developers on the team were told by directors that there would be “no more hand-written code,” with all game assets generated through automated workflows. Epic communications director Jake Jones stated that the company is embracing AI-accelerated development led by human visionaries.
We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration.The aim isn't to do the same stuff with fewer people, but to enable everyone here to build MORE and BETTER stuff, and to bring the benefits to all teams using Unreal.
The high-stakes collaboration stems from a $1.5 billion investment made by Disney in early 2024. That funding secured an equity stake in the Unreal Engine maker and laid the groundwork for a multi-game partnership centered around the Fortnite. However, development fell behind schedule as teams struggled with pacing and staffing requirements.
Tim Sweeney Defends Industry Pivot as Survival Strategy
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney addressed the internal shift publicly on social media, confirming that developers across the company are being moved to retool for maximum AI acceleration. Sweeney argued that the strategy is not intended to produce the same volume of work with fewer personnel, but rather to empower creators to build more expansive content faster.
Tim Sweeney has shared a few more comments following today's news about AI usage at Epic Games"Our more modest aim is to survive the AI revolution, help other developers do the same, and come out on the other end making better code and content faster.""Much of the room wants… pic.twitter.com/EsHEiRtMPv
Responding to critics on X who suggested the company misjudged industry sentiment, Sweeney noted that much of the audience might prefer past technological eras, but development must align with present and future realities. He described the integration as a modest aim to survive the broader technological shift and improve core output.
Internal reception has been mixed. While leadership frames the directive as an expansion of creative capability, staff members on the Disney project expressed surprise and concern over the abrupt workflow changes. Questions remain regarding quality control, guardrails for automated errors, and the prevention of generated anomalies in the final product.
Labor Pressures and Prior Layoffs Compound Studio Challenges
The production overhaul arrives amid a turbulent period for the Cary-based studio. Earlier this year, Epic Games eliminated more than 1,000 jobs, a reduction Sweeney attributed primarily to a downturn in player engagement for Fortnite rather than automation initiatives. The company has also handled ongoing antitrust litigation and significant capital expenditures.
In 2025, the actor union SAG-AFTRA filed a formal complaint against the studio regarding the digital recreation of Darth Vader’s voice for a Fortnite integration.
Epic Games has delayed a Disney-partnered shooter game to allow time for adopting an “AI-first” production model.Developers were reportedly instructed to stop writing code and instead generate the game’s art using AI.(https://t.co/9c2cRo3CGr) pic.twitter.com/0lZrEGSAfJ
More on Epic Games
FORTNITE's DISNEY PvP HAS BEEN DELAYEDA Marvel & Star Wars PvP game in Fortnite was planned for March 2027, but Bloomberg reports it's been delayed after progress was slower than expectedThe Fortnite team has also reportedly been told to switch to "AI first" production (using… pic.twitter.com/gjWlTRj8UG
Epic Games has delayed the release of a new shooter game that features Star Wars & Marvel characters 🎮 • Devs are being told to only use AI to write the code• All art for the game will be 'generated with full AI workflows'"We’re embracing AI-accelerated development, led… pic.twitter.com/bwRt1ORp60
Epic Games Orders AI Use in Development of Delayed Disney Game“The game is a shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, part of Epic’s new relationship with Disney following Disney’s billion-dollar investment in the studio behind Fortnite. Bloomberg has learned from… pic.twitter.com/jX4Bod2Nwr”
Epic Games pivots to AI first development for Disney shooterEpic Games is shifting to an AI first development strategy for its collaboration with the Walt Disney Company. AI models will write all the code and guide all the artwork for an upcoming shooter. Human developers… pic.twitter.com/rJznChlegh
Epic Games' AI-First Shift Could Redefine Game DevelopmentEpic Games is accelerating its use of AI in game development, raising an important question about how the work of game developers could change.According to Bloomberg, developers working on an Epic Games project… pic.twitter.com/w0znw4I5K9
the company behind Fortnite reportedly told its devs to stop coding..and let Claude do it..Epic Games is building a Marvel and Star Wars game..and the new rule is reportedly..no more hand written code..developers describe what they want..AI writes it..humans review… https://t.co/7o6ReO9qOl
