Epic Games Shifts Development Approach to Emphasize Artificial Intelligence

Epic Games is reportedly adopting an "AI first approach for its collaboration with Walt Disney Company, where artificial intelligence models will be responsible for writing code and guiding artwork in an upcoming shooter game.

According to internal Epic employee messages viewed by a news organization, human developers will oversee and manage the code and art assets generated by AI models such as Anthropic's Claude. This marks a significant shift away from traditional coding methods, with no more manual code written by humans and art created using full AI workflows.

The $1.5 billion partnership between Epic and Disney, announced in early 2024, was initially set to release a Marvel- and Star Wars-themed shooter in March 2027. However, the project has now been indefinitely delayed due to the changes in development approach and slower-than-expected progress, according to sources.

The move is reportedly part of a broader pivot in Epic's internal development strategy, with AI models taking on more responsibility for generating code and artwork.

Epic Games is reportedly shifting its internal development strategy to prioritize artificial intelligence (AI) from the start of game development projects.

According to an Epic spokesperson, the company is embracing AI-accelerated development, with developers leading the charge on leveraging AI for creative and technical tasks. This move marks a significant change in how Epic approaches game development, with a focus on using AI to augment human capabilities rather than simply automating repetitive tasks.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has been vocal about his enthusiasm for the potential of AI in game development, suggesting that it will enable teams to create more complex and interactive worlds. In a recent social media post, Sweeney mentioned that the company is undergoing a major pivot, reassigning developers to focus on maximizing the benefits of AI acceleration across all teams using Unreal.

Sweeney's comments echo his previous statements about the potential for AI to revolutionize game development, enabling small teams to create games with vast numbers of characters and immersive interactive environments. He has also expressed skepticism about the need for explicit disclosure tags for AI usage in games, arguing that such tools will soon be ubiquitous in production.

Epic Games' shift towards an AI first" development model is raising eyebrows in the gaming industry.

As part of this pivot, Epic has been exploring ways to integrate artificial intelligence into its game development processes, aiming to boost efficiency and productivity. This move comes on the heels of a major restructuring effort that saw over 1,000 employees let go in March, with Fortnite's engagement levels cited as a primary reason for the layoffs.

However, it appears that Epic is not alone in its AI adoption efforts, as a recent survey revealed widespread use of generative AI tools across the gaming industry.