Epic Games is betting that artificial intelligence could change how video games are made, even if it means rethinking the creative process behind some of entertainment’s biggest franchises. A planned shooter combining Star Wars and Marvel has reportedly been delayed indefinitely as the Fortnite developer shifts towards an AI-first approach, raising fresh questions about the future of human creativity in gaming.
• The Star Wars and Marvel shooter has reportedly been delayed indefinitely.
• The game was previously expected to launch in March 2027.
• Epic is moving towards AI-driven development and production.
According to Bloomberg, Epic has instructed developers working on the project to adopt AI-first production methods, including tools such as Anthropic’s Claude. The reported changes also extend to artwork, with the project expected to use AI throughout its art production workflow. The game has not been officially announced, leaving its eventual release date uncertain.
• AI tools are expected to play a major role in development.
• Artwork could be created using AI-driven workflows.
• The project’s new release timeline remains unknown.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has defended the company’s broader AI strategy, arguing that the technology could help teams create more content and improve existing work rather than simply reduce staffing. He has also highlighted potential productivity gains across development, suggesting that AI could dramatically accelerate certain tasks. Faster prototyping and playtesting could allow developers to test gameplay ideas earlier and identify problems before they become expensive mistakes.
• Epic wants AI to accelerate development and improve output.
• Productivity gains could vary significantly between different tasks.
• Faster playtesting could help developers refine games sooner.
The shift comes after Epic laid off more than 1,000 employees in March, citing financial pressures, declining console sales and difficulties maintaining Fortnite’s momentum. The company now faces the challenge of adapting to an industry where AI promises faster production but remains controversial among players and creative professionals. The Star Wars and Marvel project could become an important test of whether AI-heavy development can deliver a successful blockbuster game.
• Epic has already made major workforce cuts this year.
• Financial pressures are adding urgency to its transformation.
• The delayed crossover could test AI-driven game production.
For players, the bigger question is whether AI will improve games or make them feel increasingly manufactured. AI tools could help studios experiment more quickly and bring ambitious ideas to life, yet critics worry that automated creative processes could produce generic results and weaken the human touch that makes games memorable. As major studios embrace the technology, the industry’s challenge will be finding a balance between production speed, creative quality and what players actually want.
• AI could make game development faster and more flexible.
• Critics remain concerned about originality and creative quality.
• Player reactions may shape how far studios take AI adoption.
Via: PC Mag
