The innovative minds at Epic Games have directed the developers of an upcoming shooter game featuring beloved Marvel and Star Wars characters to adopt an “AI first” approach to their production process. As per reports, the project will heavily rely on generated art and code. Originally slated for a March release, the collaboration with Disney has now been postponed indefinitely. The development team has been tasked with utilizing Anthropic’s Claude and similar AI tools to accelerate the project.

A recent report by Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the project, revealed that the game’s director issued a mandate to eschew traditional hand-written code in favor of AI-generated workflows for all art assets. This strategic shift underscores Epic’s commitment to embracing generative AI technology.

Epic Games has been at the forefront of leveraging generative AI across its operations. The company’s upcoming Unreal Engine iteration prominently features AI capabilities, much to the chagrin of some game developers. Notably, Epic has employed AI algorithms to enhance Fortnite character designs and even utilized it for voicing Darth Vader, sparking controversy with industry unions.

The pivot towards generative AI coincides with Epic’s need to diversify its revenue streams as Fortnite’s popularity wanes. Following layoffs earlier this year due to decreased engagement with the game, Epic is exploring new avenues for growth. CEO Tim Sweeney’s critique of Valve’s genAI disclosure policies on Steam hints at Epic’s ambitions to attract developers to its platform.

Disney’s significant investment in Epic Games earlier this year has catalyzed collaborative projects, including the development of a Disney-themed shooter game. While details remain scarce, reports suggest that Epic’s AI-accelerated development approach extends to these partnerships. Epic’s communication director, Jake Jones, emphasized that the company’s developers remain integral to the creative process amid the AI integration.

Despite Bloomberg’s revelations, Epic Games has neither confirmed nor denied the reported AI-centric strategy. Speculation among Epic staff about AI software fixing its own errors underscores the evolving landscape of AI-driven development. The pressure to maintain appearances and cater to investor expectations in the artificial intelligence realm is palpable.