The specific fruits of Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games are finally coming into focus. According to Bloomberg, Epic is set to release a Disney-themed extraction shooter this November, marking the first major milestone in a partnership that has previously been limited to Fortnite character skins. The project is being positioned as a critical “comeback” title following Epic’s massive layoffs in March, which were triggered by a sharp decline in Fortnite engagement.
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The upcoming game reportedly mirrors the mechanics of titles like Arc Raiders, focusing on resource collection and successful extraction. While internal reviewers have expressed concerns that the gameplay lacks originality, it remains the most viable of three Disney projects currently in development at Epic. Reports indicate that a second title received mediocre internal feedback, while a third project was deprioritized after Disney reportedly expressed frustration with Epic’s delivery timeline.
Epic Games’ Senior Director of Communications, Liz Markman, pushed back against reports of development friction, stating that the project is part of a broader “new games and entertainment universe” that reflects the full scale of Disney’s ambitions.
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A key question remains: will the extraction shooter be a standalone release or a new module within Fortnite? In its pursuit to rival Roblox as a “multiverse” platform, Epic has recently integrated several distinct games into the Fortnite launcher. However, that strategy has seen recent setbacks; as part of its March restructuring, Epic shuttered three such modes, Rocket Racing, Ballistic, and Fortnite Festival Battle Stage, due to low player retention. Sources suggest that several employees affected by those layoffs were also contributing to the unannounced Disney projects.
When the deal was struck in 2024, the objective was to create a digital space where fans could play, watch, and shop across the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar franchises. While the current roadmap appears less all-encompassing than originally teased, a successful launch in November could provide the necessary engagement boost to justify Disney’s billion-dollar gamble and stabilize Epic’s future.
