Epic Games is shifting how it builds a new shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, moving to an AI-first production model. This change matters because it signals a major operational pivot for the studio, potentially altering the role of human developers in creative workflows. Bloomberg reports that the project, a collaboration with Disney, has faced delays due to slow progress and staff shortages.
Disney-Marvel shooter delayed to 2027 as Epic mandates generative AI for graphics and code
The unannounced title involves both Marvel and Star Wars intellectual properties, created under a partnership between Epic Games and Disney. Epic Games mandates that developers use generative AI for graphics and abandon manual code writing at all stages of production. This directive applies to the entire development cycle, not just specific assets, marking a significant departure from traditional game development methods.
Reports indicate that Epic Games is using Anthropic's Claude models to support this AI-driven workflow. The studio is implementing AI-accelerated development led by Epic employees who define the creative direction and shape the vision. Jake Jones of Epic Games stated, "We are implementing AI-accelerated development led by Epic employees who define the creative direction and shape our vision." This approach aims to streamline production despite recent challenges.
The project's release has been delayed from its original March 2027 target due to the aforementioned slow progress and staff shortages. These delays coincide with Epic Games laying off approximately 1000 employees in early 2026. CEO Tim Sweeney supports this AI adoption and has previously criticized Steam for lacking disclosure requirements regarding AI usage in games.
Epic Games continues to develop this Disney-collaboration shooter under a new AI-centric framework, even as it navigates internal restructuring and timeline shifts. The studio maintains that human employees will guide the creative direction while AI handles execution tasks. The final product will reflect this hybrid approach, blending human oversight with automated generation tools.
Source: IXBT




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