Epic Games reportedly delays Star Wars and Marvel shooter

The unannounced collaboration with Disney has reportedly encountered setbacks, according to journalist Jason Schreier, citing anonymous sources. While the project was originally expected to launch in March 2027, the timeline has slipped. In response, Epic Games is reportedly instructing developers to adopt an "AI first" production pipeline, utilizing technologies such as Anthropic's Claude.

Internal communications seen by Bloomberg suggest significant shifts in workflow. One game director reportedly told staff that the team would move away from hand-written code and transition toward art assets generated through full AI workflows, a move that reportedly surprised many employees.

Epic Games' leadership has offered a different perspective on the transition. Communications director Jake Jones stated that the company is embracing "AI-accelerated development," where developers act as the creative drivers. CEO Tim Sweeney also confirmed a major pivot, noting that the company is retooling its staff to maximize AI acceleration. Sweeney emphasized that the goal is not to reduce headcount, but to empower teams to build more and better content for the Unreal ecosystem.

This strategic shift occurs within the context of a deep partnership between Disney and Epic Games. Following Disney's $1.5 billion stake in the company, the two giants have been working toward a shared entertainment universe. Recent reports have also suggested interest from Disney executives in a potential outright acquisition of Epic Games.