Highlights
- Epic is reportedly developing a Disney-themed extraction shooter for Fortnite, targeting November 2026.
- The project is part of Disney’s $1.5B investment as Epic navigates layoffs and engagement challenges.
- Internal feedback has raised originality concerns, though the partnership remains central to Epic’s recovery strategy.
Epic Games is reportedly preparing a Disney-themed extraction shooter within Fortnite, targeting a November 2026 launch. The move comes as the company attempts to address declining engagement and uneven releases. The project is part of Disney’s $1.5 billion USD investment to build a shared games and entertainment ecosystem.
Sources told Bloomberg that the title will feature Disney characters in an extraction-style shooter format, where players battle enemies and reach escape points. The design is said to resemble Arc Raiders.
Meanwhile, internal reviewers have questioned the game’s originality, though some developers expect improvements before release.
The push follows Epic's layoffs of more than 1K employees as part of a $500M cost-cutting plan. Alongside the cuts, the company acknowledged that several Fortnite updates and new initiatives did not meet expectations. The company is also discontinuing multiple modes, such as Ballistic and Festival Battle Stage, while Rocket Racing is scheduled to shut down later.
Disney Partnership Central to Epic’s Recovery Strategy
The agreement is expected to produce three titles, though early feedback on a second game has been described as moderate. Resources from a third project have reportedly been redirected to support the extraction shooter after concerns over development timelines.
Epic has pushed back on the characterization of the project. Senior director of global communications, Liz Markman, said the report is “not reflective of the ambitions of the Disney collaboration,” adding, “We are building a new games and entertainment universe of Disney experiences.” She also noted that Epic’s timelines are intense and always have been, with teams moving toward projects nearing release.
A Disney spokesperson stated the company remains focused on the long-term partnership, which has already shown momentum. Early Fortnite integrations have exceeded expectations and contributed to increased Disney+ subscriptions.
The upcoming title represents a major test of Epic’s ability to execute at scale while aligning with Disney’s broader push into interactive entertainment.
