Key Takeaways
- Epic Games is pivoting to an 'AI first' development strategy for its collaboration with Disney.
- The project, initially scheduled for release in March 2027, has been indefinitely delayed.
- Human developers will manage and guide AI-generated code and art assets.
Epic Games, the creators of the popular Unreal Engine, is reportedly moving towards an 'AI first' development model for its collaboration with Disney. This shift, according to a Bloomberg report, involves the use of artificial intelligence to write all the code and guide all the artwork for an upcoming Marvel- and Star Wars-themed shooter.
The collaboration, announced in early 2024, was set to release the game in March 2027. However, the project has been indefinitely delayed due to the significant internal development changes and understaffing issues.
According to internal messages viewed by Bloomberg, human developers will be tasked with managing and guiding the code and art assets generated by AI models such as Anthropic's Claude. This means a departure from traditional hand-written code and a move towards fully AI-driven workflows.
The $1.5 billion collaboration between Epic and Disney was a major venture, but the AI-related shakeup and slower-than-expected development have led to the indefinite delay of the project.
The shift to AI-driven development is part of a broader trend in the gaming industry, where companies are increasingly exploring the potential of AI to streamline and enhance game creation processes.
While the exact impact on the game's development timeline remains uncertain, the move towards AI suggests a significant change in how Epic Games approaches game development in the future.
The delay of the project has raised questions about the feasibility and practicality of relying heavily on AI for game development, especially in a highly competitive and time-sensitive industry like gaming.
Epic Games and Disney have not officially commented on the report, but the internal messages viewed by Bloomberg provide insight into the company's internal processes and the challenges they are facing.
