Epic Games is having its unnamed Disney game development team use an “AI-accelerated development” approach, emphasizing tools such as Anthropic’s Claude to assist with coding and artwork. The game has been delayed from its original March launch window.
This approach goes beyond using AI as an assistant, as the team was instructed: “No more hand-written code,” while all artwork will use “full AI workflows.” If successful, this game could become an important example of how AI might transform the game-creation process.
When AI Becomes the Primary Game Developer
If a game puts AI at the center of everything from coding to artwork, players should ask whether they are playing a game created by a development team—or the output of an AI workflow.
Reports state that the director instructed the team to follow “No more hand-written code” while making greater use of AI tools such as Anthropic’s Claude. At the same time, all artwork will be produced through “full AI workflows,” reflecting Epic’s shift from AI-assisted work toward a development process in which AI carries more of the workload.
Where This Disney Game Fits into Epic’s Plans
This unreleased game is a shooter that brings together characters from Marvel and Star Wars, making it part of the multiyear collaboration between Epic and Disney rather than a standalone Epic project.
The partnership has clear business significance, as Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic in 2024, making this game another important part of the relationship between the two companies.
From Traditional Development to an AI-Driven Game
Epic is moving away from an approach based on “hand-written code” toward an “AI-first” directive, encouraging the team to use tools such as Anthropic’s Claude more extensively. Details about how much time AI will save or how much faster the game will be completed have not been disclosed.
| Factor | Hand-written coding | AI-first development |
|---|---|---|
| Coding approach | Hand-written code | “No more hand-written code” |
| Tools | Not specified | Such as Anthropic’s Claude |
| Artwork | Not specified | Created with full AI workflows |
| Goal | Not specified | Create more and better work |
Where AI Will Change the Game-Making Experience
-
The development team has been directed to use Anthropic’s Claude more extensively to help complete the game according to its objectives.
-
Coding may shift from writing code manually to a “No more hand-written code” approach, according to the message sent to the team.
-
The game’s artwork is planned to be created through full AI workflows, meaning AI will be directly integrated into the production process.
-
Epic wants teams to leverage AI through Unreal to create more and better work, although it has not yet been determined whether AI will replace every step entirely.
Epic Is Not the Only Company Rushing to Use AI
Epic is pursuing “AI-accelerated development” for its unnamed Disney game, while Meta and Google also have AI-powered game development tools. However, the available source information is not sufficient to determine which company has better features, performance, or quality.
| Factor | Epic | Meta and Google |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Promoting AI-powered game development | Developing AI game tools |
| Feature details | Some information available from the Disney game’s plans | The source provides no details |
| Performance and quality | Insufficient information to judge | Insufficient information to judge |
Therefore, the key issue right now is not ranking the companies, but recognizing that AI is steadily becoming a broader part of the game-making process.
Strengths and Major Unanswered Questions
Epic says AI will help every team create “more and better” work, using tools such as Claude to accelerate coding and artwork for the Disney game.
Pros
- +Accelerate coding and artwork with AI
- +Enable every team to create more and better work
Cons
- −The game was delayed from its original March launch window
- −The team was instructed to adopt an AI-first approach with no more hand-written code
- −Epic cut more than 1,000 employees after engagement with Fortnite declined beginning in 2025
The major question is whether AI will actually make the game better, because there is currently no game available for evaluating its results, and its impact on the development team is not yet clear.
The Hidden Cost of AI-Accelerated Development
Epic has not disclosed the cost of moving teams and restructuring workflows to accelerate AI adoption. At the same time, the game was delayed from its original March release schedule, meaning that “acceleration” does not necessarily translate into shipping the game faster.
This context also follows Epic’s layoffs of more than 1,000 employees amid declining engagement with Fortnite since 2025, making it difficult to clearly separate the effects of AI from the company’s restructuring.
Pros
- +Could help teams produce more work in line with Epic’s goals
- +Enable every team to use AI in development
Cons
- −Teams must be moved and workflows adjusted, but the costs have not been disclosed
- −The game’s schedule has slipped, while its impact on the team cannot yet be assessed
When AI Could Become the Standard for Game Production
Tim Sweeney believes AI will eventually be involved in almost every aspect of game production, which is why he is pushing Steam to remove the “made with AI” label. He sees AI becoming a standard part of the general game-creation process.
This idea aligns with Epic’s direction of encouraging development teams to use AI to create “more and better” work. The question is whether the Disney game currently in development will truly prove this promise.