Epic Games adopts AI-first model for Disney shooter

Epic Games has restructured the production of an unannounced shooter featuring characters from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, a collaborative project with The Walt Disney Company. Following delays to the original March 2027 target, the company has implemented an ‘AI first’ production model to accelerate development.

Internal communications indicate a significant shift in technical directives, including the reduction of hand-written code in favor of automated workflows and the use of generative AI tools, such as Anthropic’s Claude model, for both programming and artistic assets.

CEO Tim Sweeney described the move as a ‘huge pivot’ intended to retool developers for maximum AI acceleration. He stated that the reorganization is not aimed at reducing headcount, but rather at empowering teams to build more and better content within the Unreal Engine. Sweeney also noted that the strategy is part of an effort to help developers survive the ongoing AI revolution.