Epic Games tells employees to use AI to get Disney game done
Epic's AI-first mandate for its delayed Disney game follows layoffs and staff surprise; a small HN sample is split between calling AI coding normal and warning it will degrade game and art quality.
Epic Games has told staff working on a Disney game featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters that the delayed project will be 'AI first,' according to an AvClub report citing Bloomberg. The game was due in March, but Epic underestimated production staffing after laying off 1,000 employees earlier this year.
Employees were reportedly stunned by the directive that there would be 'No more hand-written code' and that work would be 'generated with full AI workflows'; Epic says it is embracing AI-accelerated development led by its developers.
Key takeaways
- Bloomberg reported the Disney project, featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, was delayed from a planned March release after Epic underestimated staffing needs.
- Epic laid off 1,000 employees earlier this year, citing a downturn in Fortnite engagement; the article links those cuts to production strain.
- Staff were reportedly told the project would have 'No more hand-written code' and be 'generated with full AI workflows,' prompting surprise.
- Epic confirmed the AI-first approach, saying it is 'embracing AI-accelerated development' led by Epic developers as creative drivers.
- Disney did not comment; AvClub notes Disney previously explored user-generated AI content for Disney+ before that Sora-related deal ended.
What people think
Analysis details
4 comments analyzed. Analyzed .
The sample selects active discussion branches and includes available parent comments. It may omit parts of the full thread. Selected themes do not measure community opinion or how common a view is.
AI-first coding as industry norm
Replies argue AI-assisted coding is already standard in large tech firms, with developers steering agents and reviewing diffs rather than writing code by hand.
Game mechanics and effects resist LLM generation
One commenter says LLM-generated game mechanics and artistic effects tend to become generic 'sloppa' unless fully specified and manually tweaked, limiting speed gains.
Art quality and shareholder pressure
A reply warns that tech overconfidence in AI's cross-domain ability could degrade mass-market art, noting the art community's opposition to generative AI and profit motives.
Layoffs and causal framing
One commenter disputes linking Epic's layoffs to AI, arguing the cuts were driven more by Fortnite's declining popularity and that the game industry is inherently hit-driven.