Epic Games has reportedly delayed an upcoming Disney collaboration while instructing developers to rely more heavily on artificial intelligence to complete the project.
The game, which is said to feature characters from Marvel and Star Wars, was originally scheduled to launch in March. However, the release has now been pushed back, with no new date announced.
According to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the project, Epic is also making significant changes to how the game is being developed, including introducing an AI-focused production process.
Epic Games reportedly adopts “AI first” approach for Disney project
Developers working on the upcoming shooter have reportedly been instructed to follow an “AI first” production model, using tools such as Anthropic’s Claude to generate code and artwork.
Under the new approach, human developers would oversee and guide the work produced by AI rather than creating everything themselves.
“No more hand-written code,” one of the game’s directors reportedly told employees in an internal message reviewed by Bloomberg.
The director also stated that all artwork for the project would be “generated with full AI workflows.”
Epic Games confirmed its broader commitment to AI-assisted development in a statement to Bloomberg.
“We’re embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers for everything we do,” said Jake Jones, Epic Games’ communications director.
According to the report, the announcement surprised several developers during a video call in early October.
Some reportedly questioned how the team would address errors introduced by AI-generated content, while others expressed doubts about whether the new approach would deliver the results Epic expected.
Epic Games CEO defends AI push amid developer backlash
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has defended the company’s increasing reliance on AI, explaining that the goal is to help developers create more content rather than reduce its workforce.
“We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration,” Sweeney wrote on X.
“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.”
His comments drew criticism from Andrei Apanasik, who replied, “Your inability to read the room is really really astounding, Tim.”
Sweeney responded by arguing that the gaming industry needs to embrace technological changes rather than return to previous development practices.
“Much of the room wants it to be 2016 again, but it’s not. Our job, as the provider of tools and technology to much of the industry, is to design for the present that is and the future that will soon be. Personally I’m optimistic about it and see it as empowering for creators.”
The project is part of a broader partnership between Epic Games and Disney, which began in 2024 when Disney invested $1.5 billion in the Fortnite developer in exchange for an equity stake.
The agreement also included plans for multiple games, with the upcoming Marvel and Star Wars shooter expected to be the first release.
However, development has reportedly progressed more slowly than anticipated. Sources told Bloomberg that Epic underestimated the number of employees and the amount of time required to complete the game.
The reported changes also follow a round of layoffs at Epic Games in March, when the company announced it was cutting 1,000 jobs, citing slower Fortnite sales as one contributing factor.
Epic Games has previously faced backlash over its use of AI in Fortnite. In June 2026, the company shared a video demonstrating how generative AI tools were being used to create concept art for skins, prompting some players to demand disclaimers on cosmetics developed using the technology.
The video showed artists using AI to speed up the design process before manually correcting the results. Despite Epic emphasizing that creative control remained with its artists, some players criticized the approach and called for greater transparency about AI-generated content.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
