If you feel like that kind of headline is only possible in our deeply stupid modern times, we tend to agree, but in spite of that, we do feel compelled to report on Epic Games’ latest project and how its development has reportedly been delayed in order to utilize generative AI in multiple aspects of its production.
The untitled game, which is described by insider reports as an extraction shooter using Marvel and Star Wars characters, was originally eyeing a March release, but had to be delayed to an unspecified date as devs of the game have been instructed to use an “AI first” production model, including a full-on command for “no more hand-written code” and art generated with “full AI workflows,” according to an internal message from one of the project’s directors.
This pivot into gen AI games development should not surprise those who have been following along, but is still being reaffirmed by Epic Games communications director Jake Jones, who tells Bloomberg that the studio is “embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers for everything we do.”
CEO Tim Sweeney further clarified the company’s stance. “We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration,” he writes on Twitter. “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.”
Disney has reportedly not returned requests for comment on the game or on the generative AI workflow mandates.
As one would perhaps expect, the revelation has sparked some backlash, particularly aimed at Sweeney’s tweet, where he replied to at least a couple of detractors by arguing that Epic is trying to “survive the AI revolution” and design for the present and the future of game development. “Much of the room wants it to be 2016 again, but it’s not,” he jabs back in one such response that told him to read the room.
The continued supposition that AI’s inclusion is unavoidable was further echoed by Aahkash Gupta, a former producer for Fortnite. “In June, Epic wired Claude and Gemini straight into Unreal Engine 5.8, with more coming in Unreal Engine 6. So for millions of game developers, AI shows up as a built-in feature of software they already pay for,” he writes in part. “And honestly, the industry’s AI fight is mostly for show. Google Cloud found 9 in 10 game developers already use AI agents at work. The debate happens on stage while the usage happens at the desk.”
