Epic Games Shifts to AI-First Approach for Disney Game

2 min read

Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, has delayed the release of a Disney collaboration game featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, while shifting to an ‘AI first’ production model. Bloomberg reports that the game, originally scheduled for a March release, now has no public timeline. The delay, however, is overshadowed by the company’s new approach to game development, which relies heavily on AI tools like Anthropic’s Claude.

AI-Driven Development Model

Developers have been instructed to use AI as the default method for production, with human oversight guiding the AI-generated content. One of the game’s directors stated in an internal message that ‘No more hand-written code’ will be used, and that the game’s art will be ‘generated with full AI workflows.’ This marks the first time a major video-game company has attempted to build a title primarily with AI.

Broader AI Push at Epic

The shift builds on Epic’s broader push to integrate AI across its divisions. However, the announcement reportedly caught some developers by surprise, with some joking about asking Claude to fix AI-generated mistakes. Others expressed concerns about the decision’s seriousness or its potential reversal.

Disney Partnership and Financial Context

The Marvel and Star Wars shooter is the first title under a multi-game partnership between Epic and Disney, which was established after Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic in 2024. Progress on the Disney game has lagged, partly due to underestimating the staffing and time required. The delay also comes amid broader cost pressures at Epic, which recently announced the layoff of 1,000 employees.

Industry Divided on AI

The use of generative AI in video games remains a contentious issue. A recent survey found that over a third of developers already use AI, but more than half believe it is harmful to the industry. Critics argue that AI-generated content often lacks quality, raising concerns about the future of creative work in gaming.

Source: Breitbart

Written by

Ryan Wilson