Epic Games Shifts Disney Shooter Project to ‘AI First’ Development

Epic Games has officially delayed its upcoming Disney-themed shooter, a high-profile collaboration featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters. According to a report by GamesIndustry.biz, which cites internal reporting from Bloomberg, the game was originally slated for a March release, but no updated launch window has been provided.

A New Approach to Production

Alongside the delay, the development team has been instructed to pivot to an “AI first” production model. Sources familiar with the project indicated that leadership has directed staff to utilize AI tools, specifically Anthropic’s Claude, to handle core development tasks. In an internal message obtained by Bloomberg, one project director stated, “No more hand-written code,” and noted that all in-game art would be generated through AI-driven workflows.

While Epic communications director Jake Jones confirmed that the company is “embracing AI-accelerated development,” the news reportedly came as a shock to some staff members during a video call held last week. This shift comes as Epic continues to integrate AI across its various divisions, representing a significant test case for the industry as it explores how much of a project’s technical and creative output can be automated.

Development Hurdles and Industry Context

Reports suggest that the project had already fallen behind its original schedule due to miscalculations regarding necessary staffing and production time. The move to incorporate widespread AI workflows follows a $1.5 billion investment by Disney into Epic Games in 2024, which established a partnership focused on building multiple games. This shooter was intended to be the first title released under that agreement.

The industry remains divided on the role of AI in game creation. While a 2026 GDC survey found that over 30% of developers have integrated AI into their work, more than half of those surveyed expressed concerns that the technology could be harmful to the games industry at large.

Why it matters

For players, this shift represents an unprecedented experiment in large-scale game production. If Epic successfully pivots to an “AI first” model for a major licensed title like this Disney shooter, it could signal a massive shift in how AAA games are built, tested, and shipped in the future.

Because this project is the flagship title of the Disney and Epic partnership, its eventual quality and performance will be a bellwether for the viability of AI-generated assets and code in high-budget gaming. Players should watch for further announcements regarding the new release timeline and how these automated development techniques impact the final look and feel of the game’s iconic Marvel and Star Wars worlds.