Epic Games 迪士尼射击游戏因转向 AI 开发而延期

A planned Epic Games-developed shooter game featuring characters from the Star Wars and Marvel universes has been delayed. The game was initially set for a March 2027 launch, but Epic Games told employees it was shifting to an AI development model.

According to a Bloomberg article, one of the directors working on the game was told to stop using handwritten code, and that the game would be developed fully using AI workflows.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has since responded to the criticism stemming from this report.

Key takeaways

• A new Disney-inspired shooter featuring Star Wars and Marvel characters has been delayed from its initial March 2027 release date.
• An Epic Games employee working on the game received word from management that no more handwritten code will be used.
• The production will instead utilize Anthropic’s Claude model.
• The art used in the game will be fully AI-generated.
• Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says the company is “retooling for maximum AI acceleration.”

Epic advises AI workflows over handwritten code in Disney shooter development

Not much has been revealed about this game, which was set to launch in March 2027. However, Epic Games has since delayed the launch after shifting priorities to utilize more AI in its production.

According to Jason Schrier of Bloomberg, “developers were instructed to implement an ‘AI first’ production model using tools such as Anthropic’s Claude.” The director who spoke to Bloomberg added that “all art for the game would be generated with full AI workflows.”

These directives left Epic employees “stunned,” with many arguing the game would not be as successful as Epic hopes. The Bloomberg report indicates development had been slower than expected because Epic underestimated how much man-power it required.

Epic Games CEO responds to increase in game development using AI

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, who has repeatedly supported AI, issued an official response to the Bloomberg report on X.

“We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration,” he wrote. “The aim isn’t to do the same stuff with fewer people, but to enable everyone here to build MORE and BETTER stuff, and to bring the benefits to all teams using Unreal.”

This appears to be Epic Games’ move to stay ahead of the AI curve in video game development. We’ve seen numerous examples of AI use in recent AAA titles. Soon it will be unavoidable as developers look to streamline their processes.

In response to a critical commenter, Sweeney said, “Much of the room wants it to be 2016 again, but it’s not. Our job, as the provider of tools and technology to much of the industry, is to design for the present that is and the future that will soon be.”

Epic’s recent layoffs and use of AI

The Fortnite developer is no stranger to controversy of late. Epic Games laid off over 1,000 employees this past March as the company faced “industry-wide challenges.” In a statement, Sweeney said AI would not replace these employees.

This followed another controversial decision to increase the cost of V-Bucks less than a month later to “help pay the bills.”

Fortnite fans have also remained critical of Epic Games’ reliance on AI in game development, including a Darth Vader character, various pieces of art, and more. AI-generated game code is just the next step as Epic Games hopes to streamline its workflows.