Epic Games is working on an extraction shooter featuring Disney characters, marking the first game from its $1.5 billion partnership with Disney announced in 2024, Bloomberg reported on April 10. The multiplayer title involves teams defeating enemies to reach extraction points, with a planned November launch. Internal playtesters described the mechanics as unoriginal but expressed hope for a polished release.
Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, detailed the project as similar to Arc Raiders. Employees at Epic indicated optimism that the studio could refine the game in time. This shooter leads a trio of Disney-linked titles in development, though the others face challenges: the second has drawn mixed feedback from testers, while resources shifted from the third after Disney voiced concerns over progress to Epic executives. Epic's global communications director, Liz Markman, pushed back on the reporting, stating it was 'not reflective of the ambitions of the Disney collaboration.' She emphasized that the teams are 'building a new games and entertainment universe of Disney experiences.' A Disney spokesperson affirmed the company's continued focus on its 'long-term collaboration with Epic,' with plans for a 'transformational games and entertainment universe' unchanged. The news arrives amid turmoil at Epic, which laid off more than 1,000 staff last month. CEO Tim Sweeney admitted shortcomings in some Fortnite modes and Epic Store initiatives, leading to shutdowns including the Counter-Strike-style Ballistic mode next week. Staff on unreleased projects, including Disney efforts, were among those affected and voiced fears over rushed timelines.
