Epic Games tells employees to use AI to get Disney game done
Epic Games delayed its Disney game and ordered staff to build it with full AI workflows after cutting 1,000 jobs.
Epic Games delayed a Disney game featuring Marvel and Star Wars after underestimating staffing needs, following about 1,000 layoffs tied to weaker Fortnite engagement. Leadership told employees there would be no more hand-written code and that the game would be generated with full AI workflows. Epic confirmed it is embracing AI-accelerated development led by its developers. Disney did not comment; the report notes Disney previously pursued user-generated AI content for Disney+ through Sora.
- Epic laid off about 1,000 staff after a Fortnite engagement downturn.
- A Disney game with Marvel and Star Wars missed its March target.
- Leadership ordered no more hand-written code and full AI workflows.
- Staff were stunned; Epic confirmed AI-accelerated development to Bloomberg.
- Disney previously explored user-generated AI content on Disney+ via Sora.
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It seems as though Epic Games has gotten itself in a bit of a pickle. In March, the gaming company laid off 1,000 employees after a reported “downturn in Fortnite engagement” forced them to cut costs. But, wouldn’t you know it, those employees were actually pretty crucial in making the projects that could have helped the developer boost its engagement. The company is working on a Disney project, which will feature characters from Marvel and Star Wars, which was set to be out in March. However, according to a new report in Bloomberg, the company underestimated how many people it would take to produce the game. Now, not only is the project delayed, but it’s an “AI first” project.
Predictably, this news is not being received especially warmly within the Epic Games staff, which has still been working hard despite losing hundreds of their colleagues. Last week, when the powers that be in the company announced that there would be “No more hand-written code” and that the game will be “generated with full AI workflows,” employees were reportedly “stunned,” which many hoped the news was some kind of sick joke. However, a spokesperson from Epic confirmed the news, telling Bloomberg, “We’re embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers for everything we do.”
Disney didn’t offer a comment in Bloomberg‘s report, but it’s hard to imagine the company would be too opposed to this, given that less than a year ago it was gung-ho about adding user-generated AI content to its Disney+ app. Of course, Sora doesn’t exist anymore so that deal is no more, but it certainly set a precedent about what it was willing to do with its very valuable IP.
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