Why Epic’s Disney Game Is Delayed—and AI’s Role

Why was Epic’s Disney game delayed?

Epic’s planned shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters has been delayed indefinitely, according to a report by Bloomberg summarized by Ars Technica. The project had been slated for March 2027. ¹

The report attributes the delay to development that was slower than expected and to the project being understaffed. It also describes a major change in how the game will be made: Epic is moving toward an AI-first workflow. The sources do not show that AI alone caused the delay. ¹

That distinction matters. The reporting presents the AI shift as part of a broader development shake-up, not as a confirmed fix or the sole reason the schedule changed.

What is Epic changing about development?

According to the report, AI models are expected to generate the project’s code and guide the creation of its artwork. Human developers would manage and direct those outputs. The report says internal messages described a move away from hand-written code and toward AI workflows for art. ¹

Epic’s spokesperson described the approach as AI-accelerated development led by the company’s developers, who would remain responsible for the creative direction. ¹ In plain terms, the reported plan is not that the game will make itself: people would still oversee the work, while AI tools take on a larger role in producing code and visual assets.

What does AI-generated code and art mean for a game?

AI-generated code is software instructions produced by an AI model. AI-generated art means visual material made with help from such a model. In a game project, these tools could be used to create material that developers then review, adjust or incorporate.

The sources describe Epic’s planned workflow but do not report measured results, such as whether it will make development faster or improve the game. They also do not explain what review process will be used or how much of the final code and art will be generated by AI rather than created by people. ¹

So readers should treat claims about the benefits or drawbacks of this specific change as unproven for now. The practical effect will depend on how the tools are used and what the finished game contains.

What does the staffing story add?

The report says the project had been understaffed and moving more slowly than expected. ¹ A separate AV Club account says Epic laid off 1,000 employees in March and links the cuts to a downturn in Fortnite engagement. ² That account suggests the staffing changes may be relevant context, but the supplied reporting does not establish exactly how many people worked on the Disney game or how layoffs affected its schedule.

The available details therefore point to a complicated situation: a project reportedly short of staff, a delayed timetable and a new AI-centered production plan. They do not provide a complete account of how those factors interacted.

When will the game come out?

There is no new release date in the supplied reporting. The game was previously slated for March 2027, but Ars Technica describes the delay as indefinite. ¹ That means readers should not treat the earlier date as a confirmed launch date.

Epic’s spokesperson confirmed the AI-accelerated approach, according to the report, but the available sources do not give a revised schedule or details about the finished game. ¹ Until Epic or Disney provides an update, the timing and the extent of AI’s role remain unsettled.