Epic's Delayed Disney Shooter Reportedly Shifts to AI-First Development
A Bloomberg report says Epic Games has internally delayed its Disney-licensed shooter and asked the team to adopt an AI-first workflow. The memo reportedly tells developers to stop writing code by hand and use tools such as Claude, while art would be produced through full AI workflows. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney then posted about a major company pivot toward maximum AI acceleration.
Bloomberg reported Epic internally delayed its Disney-licensed shooter, moving it from an expected March 2027 launch. Project staff were reportedly told to adopt an AI-centered approach, using tools like Claude rather than writing code manually. The memo also said art would come from fully AI-driven workflows, surprising many developers.
After the report, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney posted on Twitter about a major pivot aimed at accelerating AI adoption across the company. He said the aim was not fewer people doing the same work, but enabling everyone to build more and better things. He hinted AI would grow within Unreal Engine development.
If Epic's reported AI-centered shift spreads, game developers and artists could see job roles and creative workflows change, with some tasks automated and new skills demanded. Players may notice different production timelines or visual styles, though quality and labor effects remain uncertain. Other studios may feel pressure to adopt similar tools, potentially reshaping hiring, credit, and how games are made.