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Epic Games adopts AI-first approach for delayed Disney game

Developers told to stop writing code by hand as studio shifts to AI-accelerated development

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Epic Games has delayed an unannounced Disney game and directed its development team to use AI tools for generating code and art, according to a report from Bloomberg. The project has slipped from its original March 2026 release window.

According to the report, developers on the Disney project received an "AI-first" mandate that includes using tools such as Anthropic's Claude. One of the game's directors told staff: "No more hand-written code." Staff were also informed that all of the game's art will be "generated with full AI workflows."

Epic Games spokesperson Jake Jones told Bloomberg the company is "embracing AI-accelerated development." The shift marks a significant policy change for the game studio, which has historically relied on traditional coding and art pipelines.

The unannounced Disney game is part of a broader partnership between the two companies. Epic has previously worked with Disney on integrations within Fortnite and on developing an open-world Disney universe using Unreal Engine.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The mandate could signal a major shift in how AAA games are produced, potentially setting a precedent for the industry.
  • For developers, the move raises questions about job security and creative control as AI takes over tasks like coding and art generation.
  • The outcome of this project will be closely watched as a test case for AI-driven game development at scale.

Background

Epic Games and Disney have a deepening partnership. In 2024, Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic to build a connected social universe using Fortnite and Unreal Engine. The delayed project is separate from that initiative but reflects the growing integration of AI into Epic's workflows. The company has been investing in AI tools for Unreal Engine, including procedural generation and animation assistance.

Key Perspectives

Epic Games: The company argues AI-accelerated development will speed up production and reduce costs while allowing teams to focus on higher-level creative decisions. Developers on the project: Some staff may be concerned about the abrupt shift, as the "no hand-written code" directive represents a significant change in working practices. Industry observers: Critics worry that mandatory AI workflows could homogenise game art and code, reduce job opportunities, and lead to quality issues if the technology is not yet mature enough for full production.

What to Watch

  • Whether the delayed Disney game receives a new release date and how its quality compares to traditional development.
  • Reactions from Epic's workforce and any union or labour discussions that may arise.
  • Other major studios may adopt similar AI-first policies if Epic's project succeeds.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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