Epic Games Reportedly Creating Disney-Themed Extraction Shooter
Epic Games is reportedly developing a brand new extraction shooter game featuring Disney characters, with mechanics inspired by Embark Studios' popular title ARC Raiders. According to a report from Bloomberg, this project forms part of a substantial $1.5 billion investment deal between Epic Games and The Walt Disney Company, originally established back in 2024.
Details of the Disney Collaboration
The Bloomberg report describes the upcoming game as "a shooting game along the lines of Embark Studios' hit ARC Raiders, but with Disney characters battling enemies until they can reach an extraction point." This suggests players will control beloved Disney characters in a competitive survival scenario, marking a significant departure from Epic's usual approach of integrating new experiences within the Fortnite universe.
Interestingly, this Disney-themed extraction shooter is expected to be a standalone title rather than another mode within Fortnite. Epic Games is also reportedly working on a second collaborative project with Disney, though details about this additional title remain scarce at this early stage.
Development Challenges and Timeline Concerns
Sources close to the development project have reportedly expressed some concerns about the game's originality, with some describing the mechanics as "not very original." However, there appears to be optimism within the development team that Epic Games still has sufficient time to innovate and enhance the current game build before its eventual launch.
The project's timeline has reportedly become a point of contention between the two corporate giants. Disney is said to be "disappointed" with Epic's current development schedule, though Liz Markman, Disney's senior director of global communications, has clarified that this sentiment "is not reflective of the ambitions of the Disney collaboration." An official release date for the extraction shooter remains undetermined at this time.
Broader Context for Epic Games
This development comes during a challenging period for Epic Games. The company recently implemented significant workforce reductions, laying off approximately 16% of its employees in what appeared to be a cost-cutting measure. Additionally, Fortnite's player base has been experiencing year-on-year declines, prompting the studio to increase the price of its in-game currency V-Bucks to help sustain operations.
Notably, Epic Games hasn't released a completely new game since Fortnite's debut in 2017, instead focusing primarily on maintaining its live service offerings and advancing its Unreal Engine 5 technology. The company recently discontinued three popular Fortnite game modes as player interest in the flagship title continues to wane.
The $1.5 billion Disney collaboration represents a significant strategic shift for Epic Games as it seeks to diversify its portfolio beyond the Fortnite ecosystem. Whether this Disney-themed extraction shooter can capture the imagination of gamers remains to be seen, but the combination of Disney's iconic characters with popular extraction shooter mechanics certainly presents an intriguing proposition for the gaming community.
