Epic Games shifts focus to AI-driven content creation for Disney shooter

Introduction

Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, has announced that it will be shifting its focus to AI-driven content creation for its upcoming Disney shooter. According to Bloomberg, the company has told its developers to create content primarily with AI tools, with humans reviewing and refining the results.

Concerns about originality

The decision to use AI tools comes after internal reviews raised concerns about the originality of the game's gameplay and mechanics. The game, which is an extraction-style shooter featuring Disney characters, was initially slated for a March release but has since been delayed indefinitely.

The role of AI in game development

Epic Games has been using AI tools for various purposes, including concept art, prototyping dialogue for non-player characters, and coding support. However, making AI the default creator on a flagship title is a much bigger step than using it to sketch rough concepts or draft placeholder lines.

Implications for the industry

The move raises familiar worries about job displacement and the role of AI in creative industries. Disney and its franchises carry strict expectations around how characters look, sound, and behave, and human review is the safeguard here.

Future developments

The release schedule has not been set, and investors and industry watchers will be watching to see how the game is received. The company will also need to address concerns about the gameplay mechanics and whether the originality issues have been resolved.