Epic Imposes Ai First Model Disney Shooter Delay [2026 Update]

As originally reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, Epic Games has instructed the development team behind an undisclosed Disney shooter—featuring Marvel and Star Wars icons—to transition to an "AI‑first" production model. The mandate emphasizes generated art and code using tools like Anthropic’s Claude, effectively sidelining conventional hand‑written development. The title, initially slated for a March release, has now been postponed indefinitely while the studio retools its pipeline. Epic’s push mirrors broader industry trends toward generative AI, but the abrupt change raises concerns about creative control, quality assurance, and timeline volatility. For context on how platform shifts affect market dynamics, see our recent analysis of the No Man's Sky mobile launch [/news/no-mans-sky-mobile-launch-october-28].