Entertainment · Gaming · 1 hr ago
Epic delays Marvel and Star Wars game amid reported AI-first shift
Epic Games has delayed an unannounced shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters.
The game was previously expected in March 2027, but it now has no new release date.
Reports say developers were told to use an AI-first approach to development, including AI tools for code and art.
Epic communications director Jake Jones said AI-accelerated development would be led by Epic developers, whom he called the creative drivers.
Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic in 2024 and agreed to a multi-game partnership with the company.
The shift matters because the use of generative AI in game development is controversial, and some Epic developers were reportedly unsettled by the instruction.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says the company is reorganizing to make development faster, but the game’s eventual release timing is unknown.
Epic Games has delayed an unannounced shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters indefinitely while directing its developers to adopt an “AI-first” production model.
The game had been slated for March 2027, and no new release date has been announced.
Reports say the plan includes using tools such as Anthropic’s Claude and generating all of the game’s art with AI workflows.
Epic communications director Jake Jones said the company was embracing AI-accelerated development led by its developers.
CEO Tim Sweeney said Epic’s AI push was intended to help teams make more and better products, not to do the same work with fewer people.
- Who
- Epic Games and the developers of an unannounced shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters.
- What
- The game has been delayed indefinitely as developers are directed to use an AI-first production model.
- When
- The delay was reported on October 12, 2026; the game had been slated for March 2027.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Epic is shifting development toward AI tools and workflows. The sources also report that development was slower than the company expected.
Epic Games management
Some Epic developers
AI in development
Epic Games management
CEO Tim Sweeney says AI can empower creators and help teams make more and better products.
Some Epic developers
Some developers were reportedly shocked by the AI-first pivot, and some hoped the directive was not fully serious.
Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games, according to Polygon and Engadget.
The shooter had been slated for release, according to the reports.
Reports said Epic had delayed the shooter indefinitely and directed its developers to adopt an AI-first model.
- Project
- Unannounced shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters
- Release plan
- Delayed indefinitely; previously slated for March 2027
- AI tools
- Anthropic’s Claude and other generative AI tools
- Artwork
- Reports say art is to be generated with full AI workflows
- Epic statement
- Jake Jones said development would be AI-accelerated and led by Epic developers
What people are saying
We’re embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers for everything we do.
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.
Much of the room wants it to be 2016 again, but it's not.
Posts on X
We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration. 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.
Sources
Epic shifts to ‘AI-accelerated development’ for upcoming Disney game
Fortnite-maker Epic Games confirms 'huge pivot' towards using AI
Le PDG d’Epic Games annonce un « immense virage » vers l’IA
"No More Hand-Written Code" - Epic Reportedly Adopts "AI First" Production Model On New Disney Shooter
Fortnite-maker Epic Games makes ‘huge pivot’ with AI, CEO says
'Our humble goal is to survive the AI revolution' says Epic Games CEO, as its Star Wars and Marvel crossover pivots to 'AI first' development
"No more hand-written code": Epic reportedly impose "AI-first" model on creators of new Disney shooter with Marvel and Star Wars characters
Epic Games reportedly pivoting to "AI first" game development model
Epic Games Delays Marvel and Star Wars Crossover Game Amid Generative AI Push
Epic reportedly delays its Disney video game so it can be made using more AI
Epic Games delays Disney game and tells developers to go "AI first"
Epic Games reportedly orders staff to implement ‘AI-first’ development
Epic Games tells employees to use AI to get Disney game done
« Plus aucun code écrit à la main » : Epic Games ne se cache plus et embrasse pleinement l'IA pour son extraction shooter avec Disney
Epic Games reportedly delays Star Wars and Marvel shooter, as the Fortnite maker embraces "AI-accelerated development"
Epic Games Forces Shocked Developers Into ‘AI-First’ Mode For Delayed Shooter Featuring Marvel And Star Wars Characters
'No More Hand Written Code': Fortnite Dev's Disney Game to Be an 'AI First' Project
Related news
GTA 6 PC release reportedly planned for early 2027
God of War Laufey Collector Box Costs $149.99 and Excludes the Game
Xbox CEO reportedly says new game ideas are vital to the company’s future
Legacy Games Store to Close, Ending Access to Game Downloads in 2027
Sony Announces Japan-Only Midnight Black PlayStation 5
GTA 6 leaker threatens full-game release if meme coin reaches $30 million
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii makes interrogation game with AI in about 30 minutes
RimWorld moves to its own engine, with faster performance and saves intact
Yujiro Hanma teased as a new Tekken 8 DLC fighter
Remedy games helped persuade one player to buy Xbox consoles
Free browser game simulates lives shaped by chance and statistics
