Epic Games Reportedly Goes “AI First” on Its Delayed Marvel and Star Wars Shooter
When Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games in 2024, the deal promised a multi-game ecosystem built around some of entertainment’s biggest franchises. Fans have been waiting ever since for the first major release to emerge from that partnership.
Earlier reports in April suggested Epic was developing an extraction shooter in the vein of ‘Arc Raiders’, featuring Disney characters. Beyond that, details about the unannounced project have remained scarce.
Now, a new report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has shed more light on the game, and on how it is being made. According to the report, the shooter is a crossover that brings together characters from both Marvel and ‘Star Wars’.
The game had reportedly been expected to launch in March 2027, but it has now been delayed without a new release date. Alongside the delay, Epic has instructed the team to adopt what Bloomberg describes as an “AI-first” production model.
According to the report, developers have been directed to use tools such as Anthropic’s Claude to generate code and artwork. In an internal message reviewed by Bloomberg, one of the game’s directors told staff that hand-written code would no longer be part of the process and that the game’s art would be produced using full AI workflows.
Bloomberg reported that progress on the project had been slower than expected. Epic reportedly underestimated both the staffing demands and the amount of time needed to build the game.
The shift comes months after Epic cut more than 1,000 jobs in March, a move linked to slower ‘Fortnite’ sales. Against that backdrop, the studio appears to be leaning on AI to accelerate development.
According to Bloomberg, this marks the first time a major video game company has attempted to build a title primarily with AI. That makes the project a significant test case for the wider industry.
The new mandate reportedly came as a surprise to many on the team. Bloomberg said the shift was announced during a video call last week, where some developers questioned how AI-generated errors would be handled.
Others reportedly expressed doubts about whether the approach would work. Kotaku, citing Bloomberg’s reporting, said many people on the project reacted with confusion and shock.
Epic has confirmed its broader commitment to AI-assisted development. CEO Tim Sweeney and communications director Jake Jones have said the goal is to help existing teams produce more content, not to reduce headcount.
According to Epic, developers will remain the creative drivers while using AI to speed up production. The company has been encouraging AI adoption across all of its divisions. That push extends to its technology as well. Epic’s Unreal Engine 5.8 and the upcoming Unreal Engine 6, officially announced in May, include AI-assisted development features.
The report is likely to spark debate among players. Gamers have often criticized AI-generated content, raising concerns about quality and its impact on creative jobs. Using AI-generated art for iconic Marvel and ‘Star Wars’ characters could prove especially sensitive. Fans of both franchises tend to hold high expectations for how their favorite heroes look and feel.
For now, Epic and Disney have not officially announced the game. With no new release date, it remains unclear when players will finally get a look at the crossover shooter. How the project turns out could shape conversations about AI in game development for years to come. Whether the gamble pays off will depend on the quality of the final product.
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