Epic Games and Disney: Why a New Extraction Shooter Could Redefine Their Future
There’s a certain irony in how the gaming industry works. Just when a company seems to be struggling, that’s often when it’s quietly preparing its next big move. Epic Games appears to be exactly in that phase right now.
Not long ago, the company made headlines for laying off around a thousand employees — a move that raised concerns about its stability. But if recent reports are anything to go by, writing Epic off would be premature. Behind the scenes, the studio is still deeply involved in multiple large-scale projects, and one of them might turn out to be especially ambitious.
According to a Bloomberg report, Epic Games is now working closely with The Walt Disney Company on several licensed titles, including what could become one of the more unusual releases in the shooter genre.
According to a Bloomberg report, Epic Games is now working closely with The Walt Disney Company on several licensed titles, including what could become one of the more unusual releases in the shooter genre, and if it's successful, it could easily join the ranks of the Most Popular Games 2026: 20 Biggest Titles Dominating Right Now.
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A Company Under Pressure, Yet Far From Finished
Layoffs on such a scale usually signal internal restructuring or financial strain, and Epic is no exception. However, what stands out here is not just the downsizing, but what’s happening alongside it.
Despite recent setbacks, the company hasn’t slowed down creatively. Instead, it seems to be doubling down on high-profile partnerships and experimental concepts. That’s often a sign of a company trying to pivot rather than retreat — shifting focus toward new opportunities that can redefine its position in the market.
And this is where Disney enters the picture.
The Disney Partnership: More Than Just Another Collaboration
Epic Games and Disney are no strangers to each other. Their collaboration has already been visible through Fortnite’s numerous crossovers, where Disney-owned characters have appeared as skins and limited-time content.
But this new partnership appears to go much deeper.
Back in 2024, Disney invested a staggering $1.5 billion into Epic Games, signaling long-term strategic intent rather than a one-off collaboration.
Now, that investment seems to be translating into full-scale game development projects — not just integrations within Fortnite, but entirely new titles built around Disney’s intellectual properties.
And one of those projects stands out immediately.
The Extraction Shooter Concept With Disney Characters
Among the rumored developments is an extraction shooter — a genre that has been gaining traction thanks to games like Escape from Tarkov and upcoming titles like ARC Raiders.
In simple terms, extraction shooters combine survival mechanics with high-risk, high-reward gameplay. Players enter a map, gather resources, fight enemies (both AI and real players), and attempt to escape alive with their loot. The tension comes from knowing that failure means losing everything.
Now imagine that formula — but with Disney characters.
That’s exactly what Epic is reportedly working on: a shooter inspired by games like ARC Raiders, but featuring recognizable Disney heroes in leading roles.
At first glance, it might sound like an unusual combination. Disney is traditionally associated with family-friendly entertainment, while extraction shooters lean toward intense, often unforgiving gameplay. But that contrast could also be what makes the project stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
If everything goes according to plan, the game is expected to launch in November 2026.
Internal Challenges and Uncertain Projects
Of course, not everything inside Epic’s development pipeline appears to be running smoothly.
The Bloomberg report also mentions two additional Disney-related projects currently in development. However, their future remains uncertain. One reportedly received mediocre internal feedback, which could impact its chances of release. Meanwhile, another project faced resource reallocation due to disagreements over scheduling priorities.
These kinds of issues are not unusual in large studios, especially when multiple ambitious projects compete for time, talent, and budget. Still, they highlight a key reality: even major partnerships don’t guarantee smooth execution.
In fact, they often come with added complexity.
Fortnite’s Struggles and the Shift in Strategy
One of the more telling details in the report is the mention of Fortnite’s recent updates failing to meet expectations.
For a game that has dominated the live-service space for years, any decline in performance is significant. It suggests that Epic may be reaching the limits of what it can achieve within Fortnite alone — at least in its current form.
That likely explains why the company is now placing greater emphasis on external collaborations, particularly with Disney.
Instead of relying solely on Fortnite to drive engagement and revenue, Epic seems to be expanding its ecosystem. New games, new genres, and new audiences — all connected by recognizable IPs and shared technology.
A Bigger Vision Behind the Epic–Disney Deal
Interestingly, Epic itself has pushed back slightly against how these developments are being portrayed.
Senior global communications director Liz Markman commented that the Bloomberg article does not fully capture the “full scale” of the collaboration between Epic and Disney.
That statement alone hints at something bigger happening behind the scenes — possibly a long-term strategy that goes beyond individual game releases.
There have even been rumors circulating since early 2026 that Disney might eventually acquire a larger role in Epic’s ecosystem, potentially integrating its content production more deeply into platforms like Fortnite.
Whether or not that happens, one thing is clear: this partnership is not just about a single shooter or a couple of experimental titles. It’s about redefining how entertainment franchises, gaming platforms, and live-service ecosystems intersect.
Source: bloomberg
