No more hand-written code? Epic's Disney project reportedly shifts to 'AI-First' development
Epic Games is reportedly shifting a Disney-developed shooter to an AI-first production model, delaying its March release and instructing teams to use AI for code and art generation.
Epic Games has reportedly instructed developers working on an upcoming Disney-developed shooter to prioritize AI tools, particularly for generating code and art. Bloomberg reports that the company has delayed the game’s release from March to an unspecified future date as part of this shift. The directive, outlined in an internal email reviewed by the publication, explicitly calls for art to be created using full AI workflows and prohibits hand-written code. The project involves a Star Wars and Marvel-themed shooter, marking a high-profile adoption of generative AI in game development despite ongoing industry debate.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney publicly addressed the company’s broader AI strategy shortly after Bloomberg’s report, though he did not confirm details about the Disney project. In a post on X, Sweeney stated that Epic is undergoing a major pivot to retool teams for 'maximum AI acceleration,' aiming to enable developers to build more and better content. The shift is framed as a company-wide initiative to integrate AI benefits across all teams using Unreal Engine, rather than reducing staff or cutting costs.
The reported changes reflect a broader industry trend toward adopting AI tools, even as their use remains contentious among some developers and players. The Disney project’s pivot to an AI-first model underscores Epic’s commitment to integrating generative AI into its development pipeline, despite potential pushback. The delay in the game’s release suggests the transition is significant enough to impact timelines, though the new date has not been disclosed.
Epic’s internal communication emphasizes a strategic shift rather than a temporary experiment, with leadership framing AI as a tool to enhance productivity and creativity. The company’s public statements indicate a long-term commitment to AI integration, though specifics about the Disney project’s development remain unconfirmed by Sweeney. The move highlights Epic’s role in pushing AI adoption within the gaming industry, even as debates over its ethical and practical implications continue.