Epic Games and Disney are collaborating on a new extraction shooter game. This game is planned to be released in November. It is said to be the first of at least three games resulting from Disney's significant $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games. The collaboration aims to expand Disney's influence in the gaming world and provide new interactive experiences.

Key Points

  • Epic Games is developing a Disney-themed extraction shooter.
  • The game is said to be in the style of ‘Arc Raiders’.
  • It is expected to be released before November.
  • This is the first of at least three games emerging from the Disney-Epic partnership.
  • Although internal reviews indicate that the game is “not very original,” employees remain hopeful.

A New Extraction Shooter Experience

According to reports, the upcoming game will feature Disney characters and adopt a similar extraction shooter genre to Embark Studios’ ‘Arc Raiders’. Players are expected to engage in conflicts with the goal of reaching an extraction point. Initial internal assessments describe the game's mechanics as “not very original,” but sources indicate that Epic employees are optimistic about its potential by the launch date.

Part of a Larger Collaboration

This extraction shooter is seen as the first of three games arising from Disney's significant investment in Epic Games. The partnership announced in 2024 aims to create a “transformative game and entertainment universe” that expands access to beloved Disney stories and characters. However, it has been reported that the development of these games is facing challenges, such as potential disappointments regarding Epic’s recent layoffs and Disney’s timing of releases.

Development Challenges and Goals

Despite internal criticisms regarding originality, Epic Games stated that reports do not fully reflect the goals of the Disney collaboration. A spokesperson emphasized that they are building a new game and entertainment universe consisting of Disney experiences. This collaboration is part of Disney's strategy to appeal to young male consumers, a demographic that interacts heavily with video games. The success of this extraction shooter could be critical for Epic, especially following recent layoffs.

Competitive Landscape

The extraction shooter genre is becoming increasingly crowded, with new titles being released by major developers. The entry of Epic and Disney will compete with games like Bungie’s ‘Marathon’ and other upcoming titles in the PvPvE space. The success of this initiative will depend on Epic's ability to innovate within the genre and Disney's ability to leverage the broad appeal of its intellectual properties.