Epic Games Developing Disney Extraction Shooter
▼ Summary
– Epic Games is developing a new Disney-themed extraction shooter game, similar to *Arc Raiders*, planned for a November 2026 launch.
– This game is part of a broader partnership stemming from Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic in 2024, which aims to produce multiple titles.
– Internal reviews of the extraction shooter are mixed, with some optimism but also concerns about unoriginal game mechanics.
– Disney and Epic have already collaborated extensively within *Fortnite*, adding characters and allowing user-created Star Wars experiences.
– Epic has reallocated resources among its Disney projects, and a company spokesperson stated their aggressive development timelines remain unchanged.
A major new video game project is reportedly in development at Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite, and it will bring the vast world of Disney characters into a competitive extraction shooter genre. According to a recent report, this ambitious title is slated for a release in November 2026. The project represents a key part of the expansive partnership fueled by Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic back in 2024, which also includes at least two other unannounced games.
Sources describe the upcoming title as a shooter experience similar to the successful Arc Raiders from Embark Studios. While some developers at Epic are reportedly confident the game will find an audience, internal feedback has noted concerns about the originality of its core mechanics. The specific Disney IP slated for inclusion remains a mystery, though the company’s iconic figures have frequently crossed over into Fortnite itself, with recent additions like Buzz Lightyear and Emperor Zurg joining a long list of Marvel and Star Wars collaborations.
The broader roadmap for the Epic and Disney alliance appears fluid. The report indicates plans for a second and third game are in place, but details are scarce. The second title has allegedly received mixed internal reviews, while development resources for the third have been shifted to support the other projects. This reallocation followed Disney’s reported disappointment with the pace of progress, a point contested by Epic’s leadership.
Liz Markman, Epic’s senior director of global communications, stated that such reporting does not reflect the true scope of the collaboration’s ambitions. “We are building a new games and entertainment universe of Disney experiences,” Markman said, explaining that the studio’s aggressive development cycles naturally involve moving teams to projects nearing release. A Disney representative echoed a commitment to the “long-term collaboration,” calling it a joint effort to build a “transformational games and entertainment universe.”
This news emerges shortly after Epic enacted significant internal changes, including laying off 1,000 employees and announcing the impending closure of several game modes like Rocket Racing. Company statements cited financial pressures and a “downturn in engagement.” The studio’s future strategy continues to be a topic of discussion, further amplified by separate rumors that Disney had previously explored the possibility of acquiring Epic Games outright.
(Source: IGN)
