Epic Games is reported to have delayed the release schedule for a new game it is co-developing with Disney after adopting an AI-centred production approach. Under the model, AI leads the production of code and graphics, while human developers supervise the output.

On Oct. 12, Ars Technica cited Bloomberg as reporting that Epic Games has shifted the development system for a shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters to an AI-first approach.

The company had internally aimed for a March 2027 launch, but a new release date has not been set. Staffing shortages, slower-than-expected development and organisational restructuring following the AI shift are reported to have affected the schedule.

Internal messages reviewed by Bloomberg included guidance that "humans will no longer write code directly" and that art assets will be produced through a fully AI-based workflow. Developers will review AI-generated code and graphic assets, including those from Anthropic's Claude, and set the direction for production.

The game is part of a collaboration project announced after Disney invested $1.5 billion, or about 2.1 trillion won, in Epic Games in 2024. The amount was an equity investment in Epic Games, not a standalone development budget for the new title.

Epic Games also acknowledged its policy of expanding the use of AI. The company said it would improve production efficiency with AI while developers lead the creative vision and direction.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney (Tim Sweeney) said, "We are redeploying development staff." He said, "The goal is not to do the same work with fewer people, but to deliver more and better results."

Concerns over adopting AI have also continued. Epic Games laid off more than 1,000 employees in March, citing a decline in Fortnite user engagement. At the time, the company said the layoffs were not due to AI.

Quality issues from using AI are also a challenge. In May, an emergency fix was carried out after an AI voice for Darth Vader in Fortnite repeatedly used profanities. Attention is focused on whether an AI-centred development approach can improve both production efficiency and game quality at the same time.