Highlights
- Epic Games and Disney are reportedly developing a Disney-themed extraction shooter for November 2026.
- The PvPvE title features Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar characters following Disney's $1.5 billion investment.
- Playtester concerns and Epic Games layoffs highlight challenges in meeting the project's aggressive schedule.
Epic Games and Disney are taking their massive partnership to the next level. According to a new Bloomberg report, the powerhouse duo is currently working on a new third-person extraction shooter packed with iconic characters from across the Disney universe. While neither company has officially confirmed the project, the current target for launch is reportedly set for November 2026. If you are wondering how Mickey Mouse fits into a hardcore shooter, the core gameplay is said to closely mirror hits like Embark Studios' Arc Raiders.
Players will reportedly take control of fan-favorite characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. You will drop into various maps for intense PvPvE matches, fight off enemies, scavenge for valuable loot, and try to survive long enough to reach a safe extraction point. It is a major pivot for both brands, aiming to grab a slice of one of the gaming industry's most popular and punishing genres.
This untitled shooter is a direct result of the historic $1.5 billion USD equity investment Disney poured into Epic Games back in 2024. When that massive deal was first announced, the companies laid out plans to build a "persistent universe" deeply tied to the Fortnite ecosystem, where players could game, shop, and hang out using all their favorite franchises.
While we have already seen hints of this growing collaboration, like the 2025 Disneyland Game Rush event inside Fortnite, this new report suggests their crossover plans are expanding into standalone titles. In fact, Bloomberg notes that the ongoing partnership is expected to result in "at least" two more video games down the road.
Marvel
Playtester Concerns and Originality
Behind the scenes, however, the ambitious project is reportedly dealing with some growing pains. Internal reviewers said that playtesters have voiced concerns over the game's originality, worrying that the mechanics rely a little too heavily on the established formulas of existing extraction shooters without bringing enough fresh ideas to the table. The report also revealed the team is hoping to make significant refinements before the planned 2026 launch.
Adding to the pressure is the recent wave of restructuring at Epic. Following a downturn in Fortnite engagement and some revenue miscalculations throughout 2025, the studio laid off roughly 1,000 staff members earlier this year. Bloomberg reports that several of the let-go employees had been working on these unannounced Disney games, sparking concerns from former workers that the remaining team members will be forced to adhere to an unrealistic and grueling schedule.
Epic is currently trying to manage expectations surrounding the leaks. Liz Markman, Epic's Senior Director of Global Communications, pushed back slightly on the rumors, stating that the leaked details are "not reflective of the ambitions of the Disney collaboration" and that the ultimate goal remains building a transformational new games and entertainment universe.
Markman also addressed the studio's workflow, as Bloomberg noted, "Epic's timelines are aggressive and always have been. We've heavily moved developers onto projects with releases approaching, while smaller prototyping teams are working on further-off projects."
For now, fans will have to wait for an official reveal to see if this high-stakes gamble pays off. Delivering an undeniably sticky hit with Disney's legendary catalog could be exactly the massive win Epic needs right now.
