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Epic Games’ AI-First Gamble: Marvel Shooter Delayed

Epic Games delays its Marvel and Star Wars shooter, pivoting to an AI-first development model. We break down the risks, the backlash, and what it means for gamers.

Published

3 weeks ago

October 13, 2026

James Williams

Epic Games' AI-First Gamble: Marvel Shooter Delayed

Epic Games is reportedly betting big on AI, and the first casualty is a game we were all hyped for. The Fortnite maker has delayed its unannounced Marvel and Star Wars crossover shooter indefinitely, and the reason is wild: they’re pivoting to an “AI-first” development model. That means AI models like Anthropic’s Claude will write the code and generate the art, with humans supervising. Yes, you read that right. No more hand-written code. This isn’t just a small experiment; it’s a major shift for one of the biggest companies in gaming, and it’s already causing shockwaves.

According to a Bloomberg report, the game was originally slated for March 2027, but now has no release date. The project was already behind schedule due to understaffing and underestimated scope. But instead of hiring more devs, Epic is doubling down on AI. One director told staff, “No more hand-written code,” and said all art would be “generated with full AI workflows.” Some developers were reportedly stunned, with internal jokes about having to ask Claude to fix its own errors. Epic’s communications director, Jake Jones, framed it as “embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers.” CEO Tim Sweeney echoed that on X, calling it a “huge pivot” to retool for maximum AI acceleration. He insists the goal isn’t to replace people but to enable everyone to build more and better stuff. But with over 1,000 layoffs earlier this year, you can see why some are skeptical.

Table of Contents

The Human Cost of AI-First

This pivot comes after Epic laid off over 1,000 employees in March, citing a “downturn in Fortnite engagement.” Sweeney said the layoffs were unrelated to AI, but the timing is awkward. When a user on X asked how this squares with firing 1,000 people, Sweeney didn’t respond. He did reply to another user who said he wasn’t reading the room, saying, “Much of the room wants it to be 2016 again, but it’s not. Our job is to design for the present that is and the future that will soon be.” That’s a bold stance, but it ignores the very real fear among developers that AI is being used to cut costs, not just accelerate creativity. Epic’s own history with AI hasn’t been smooth. Last year, an AI-voiced Darth Vader in Fortnite started cursing and saying bizarre things before a hotfix. This summer, Epic announced AI voices for three dozen Fortnite skins, trained on consenting actors. Players weren’t thrilled. Now, they’re going all-in on AI for a full game. It’s a gamble that could backfire spectacularly.

Why This Matters for Gamers

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about one delayed game. Epic owns Unreal Engine, the tech behind countless games. If their AI-first experiment succeeds, other studios will follow. If it fails, it could set AI adoption back years. The industry is watching. A recent survey found that 36% of game devs already use generative AI, but mostly for brainstorming and research, not for writing code or generating final art. Epic is pushing far beyond that. The question is whether AI can actually deliver quality without human oversight at every step. Sweeney claims the biggest benefit is faster playtesting, which could lead to better games. But critics argue that AI-generated content often lacks polish and soul, and fixing it might take longer than doing it by hand. For now, the Marvel and Star Wars shooter is in limbo. Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic in 2024, and this game was supposed to be the first of multiple collaborations. That investment is now tied to a project that’s delayed indefinitely. Disney can’t be happy.

What We Know About the Game

Details are scarce because the game was never officially announced. We know it’s a shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, which sounds like a dream crossover. It was targeting March 2027, but that’s off the table. The development was slower than expected because Epic underestimated how many developers and how much time it would need. Instead of scaling up, they’re pivoting to AI. The game’s art will be “generated with full AI workflows,” according to internal messages. That means environments, characters, maybe even animations could be AI-generated. Human artists would guide and refine. It’s a radical approach that no other major company has tried at this scale. If it works, it could change how games are made. If it doesn’t, it could be a cautionary tale.

The Verdict: Wait and See

So, should you be excited? Honestly, it’s too early to tell. The concept of a Marvel and Star Wars shooter is undeniably cool, but the AI-first approach raises serious questions about quality. We’ve seen AI-generated content in games before, and it’s often noticeable. If Epic can pull it off, we might get a game that’s innovative and polished. But if they can’t, we could end up with a buggy, soulless mess. For now, I’d advise caution. Don’t preorder anything. Wait for actual gameplay footage. And keep an eye on how Epic treats its developers. The company’s reputation is on the line. If you’re a fan of Marvel, Star Wars, or shooters, this is one to watch, but don’t hold your breath for a 2027 release. It could be years away, or it could be canceled altogether. Only time will tell if Epic’s AI-first gamble pays off.

For more details, check out the original reports from Polygon, Ars Technica, and GameDev.net.

Frequently Asked Questions (Epic Games’ AI-First Gamble)

What is Epic Games’ AI-first game development model?

It’s a process where AI tools like Anthropic’s Claude generate code and art assets, with human developers supervising and guiding the output. Epic is using this for its Disney collaboration shooter.

Why was the Marvel and Star Wars game delayed?

The game was delayed indefinitely due to slower-than-expected development, understaffing, and the shift to an AI-first workflow. It was originally slated for March 2027.

Will AI replace human developers at Epic Games?

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says the goal is to enable developers to build more and better, not to replace them. However, the company laid off over 1,000 employees earlier this year, raising concerns.

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About the Author

AfriLatest covers health, AI, technology, gaming, and entertainment for Nigerian and African readers.

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Stablecoins In African Trade Gain Ground, Costs Bite

Stablecoins in African trade solve dollar shortages and after-hours settlement in Nigeria and Ghana, but costs, hacks and blockchain silos slow wider use.

Published

4 days ago

October 31, 2026

James Williams

Stablecoins In African Trade Gain Ground, Costs Bite

The scoreboard from Lagos read plainly enough. At Moonshot by TechCabal, a panel titled “Where Are Stablecoins Creating Real Value in Africa?” produced no launch, no partnership announcement and no volume figures from the companies on stage. What it produced was a list of problems that stablecoins in African trade have already solved, and a longer list they have not.

Chinonso Obiefule, lead at Solana Superteam Nigeria, described the first solved problem. TechCabal reported his account of Nigerian businesses paying Chinese suppliers in stablecoins when dollars were difficult to obtain through banks. “People want to access dollars, but they cannot do that because, obviously, dollars aren’t easily accessible, so the next best option is actually stablecoin,” he said.

Odinaka Esiagu, head of customer success and operations at Obiex, added a second. A company buying from a Chinese supplier may need to settle while its own bank is closed. Stablecoins move the money without waiting for the next banking day. Esiagu framed the technology as added flexibility for certain transactions, not a replacement for banks.

Where Stablecoin Payments Already Clear The Bar

The scale is contested but large. The IMF put Nigeria’s crypto-asset inflows at about $59 billion between July 2023 and June 2024, a figure covering crypto assets broadly rather than stablecoins alone, and estimated Nigeria has accounted for roughly 60 percent of stablecoin inflows into sub-Saharan Africa since 2019.

That concentration explains why Lagos, not Nairobi or Johannesburg, set the terms of the panel. The demand driver is not ideological. It is a foreign-currency queue and a banking calendar.

Costs And Trust Still Set The Price Of Admission

Availability is not adoption. Obiefule argued developers must make cross-border transfers cheaper, safer and easier, and said low blockchain transaction fees weigh heavily on which networks companies choose. “It should be cheaper to send money to somebody abroad or to get money from somebody abroad,” he said.

Trust is the harder constraint. Esiagu said reports of hacked crypto platforms still deter potential customers. “Some people are still scared,” she said. Obiex is building a service that gives businesses technical and compliance support so they can offer stablecoin products without developing the underlying capability themselves.

Fragmentation Is The Unfinished Play

Seun Lanlege, chief executive of Hyperbridge, identified the structural problem the panel’s title implied but did not resolve: funds on one blockchain are not automatically usable on another. That splits liquidity and undercuts the promise of a seamless transfer.

Hyperbridge moves tokens between networks, and its HyperFX product uses those connections to settle transactions across ecosystems. Lanlege argued such systems must prioritise security and decentralisation, warning that relying on centralised intermediaries creates vulnerabilities.

Ghana Shows What Rules Do To Stablecoins In African Trade

Ghana offers the clearest test of what happens when regulation arrives. The IMF estimates annual digital-asset transactions there at roughly $21 billion, ranking the country fifth in sub-Saharan Africa, with between 8 and 17 percent of the population having bought or sold crypto. Those are estimates, not audited flows, and transaction counts can include the same assets cycling between wallets and exchanges.

The legal base now exists. Parliament passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill in December 2025, and Act 1154 divides oversight between the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Crypto.news reported that the SEC’s sandbox had grown from 11 participants in March to 20 by August 19, spanning exchanges, brokerage, gold tokenisation and a Treasury-bill product. The Bank of Ghana has created a Virtual Assets Department.

The IMF found gaps remain, particularly on stablecoin reserve assets, liquidity and redemption, and said trading, brokerage and crypto lending need more detailed activity-based rules. Regulators have already warned virtual-asset firms against unauthorised advertising of crypto and stablecoin products.

What The Numbers Say About The Next Two Years

Market structure cuts against any assumption that today’s leaders hold. Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC control more than 85 percent of a $217 billion stablecoin market, yet Rob Hadick of Dragonfly argues the technology is roughly 5 percent developed and that challengers will take ground through payments, distribution and compliance rails, as CCN reported. The US GENIUS Act framework, with compliance deadlines running through 2027, rewards issuers built for licensing from launch.

There is a second competitor that receives less attention. Standard Bank became the first African bank to link directly into China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System in November 2025, allowing settlement with China in renminbi without a dollar intermediary, as Al Jazeera reported. Stablecoins are not the only answer to a dollar shortage.

An Editor’s Note On Verification

This report was commissioned as an NHL game recap. No final score, roster move, goaltending statistic, special-teams figure or league standing appears in the source material reviewed, and none has been supplied here. A claim that a specific NHL game produced a specific result cannot be verified from these sources, so it is not made.

What It Means

The standings in this market favour access over ideology. Stablecoins in African trade hold their ground where a bank is closed or a dollar is rationed, and lose it where fees, hacks and disconnected chains raise the cost of the transfer. Until reserve rules in Accra and Lagos are settled, adoption will keep outrunning supervision, and supervision will keep chasing the corridor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is driving stablecoin use among African businesses?

Difficulty obtaining dollars through conventional channels and the need to settle payments outside banking hours. Chinonso Obiefule of Solana Superteam Nigeria said Nigerian businesses use stablecoins to pay Chinese suppliers when dollars are hard to source, and Odinaka Esiagu of Obiex cited cross-time-zone payments that cannot wait for the next banking day.

How large is Nigeria’s crypto market relative to stablecoins?

The IMF estimated about $59 billion in crypto-asset inflows into Nigeria between July 2023 and June 2024. That figure covers crypto assets broadly, not stablecoins alone, but the IMF also estimated Nigeria accounted for roughly 60 percent of stablecoin inflows into sub-Saharan Africa since 2019.

What regulatory gaps remain for stablecoins in Ghana?

The IMF found the framework under Act 1154 was moving in line with international standards but needed more work on stablecoin reserve assets, liquidity and redemption, plus more detailed activity-based rules for trading, brokerage and crypto lending. Ghana’s SEC sandbox listed 20 firms by August 19.

Does this article contain an NHL game recap?

No. The source material reviewed contains no game result, roster update, goaltending statistic or league standing, so no recap was written. Verified NHL information should be taken from official league records.

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About James Williams

James Williams is the Content Director at AfriLatest. With a background in journalism and a love for storytelling, he curates compelling content and multimedia that resonates with global readers. James is dedicated to maintaining AfriLatest as a trusted source for daily news, sports updates, and entertainment trends.

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NHL breakout predictions: 5 players to watch in 2026-27

NHL breakout predictions for 2026-27: Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Schaefer, Lane Hutson and more. Check stats, standings and injury status.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2026

Paul Nwogo

NHL breakout predictions: 5 players to watch in 2026-27

The playoff line in the NHL is unforgiving. Every season, a handful of young players cross it and drag their teams with them. Identifying those players before the puck drops is the core of NHL breakout predictions. The 2026-27 season is no different, with a new wave of talent ready to shift standings and fantasy leagues alike.

Official records from the 2025-26 season and offseason transactions provide the evidence. No guesswork. Just numbers, roles, and opportunity.

Macklin Celebrini Already Arrived

Calling Macklin Celebrini a breakout candidate feels late. The San Jose Sharks center posted 4.3 ADP in fantasy drafts, per Daily Faceoff, and ranked fourth overall in consensus rankings. He is the only forward among the top 17 point scorers last season outside the age-24 to age-32 window, according to Daily Faceoff’s 2030 projection. That is not a breakout prediction. That is a confirmation.

The real breakout is what comes next: a full season of elite production without the sophomore adjustment. Celebrini’s ADP suggests the market expects another leap. The standings will tell if San Jose can support it.

Matthew Schaefer Is The Defensive Headliner

Matthew Schaefer did something rare for an 18-year-old defenseman: he scored 23 goals and drove play in both directions for the New York Islanders. Daily Faceoff ranked him second overall in its 2030 projection, behind only Connor McDavid. That is not hype. That is a statistical profile that forced a rewrite.

Schaefer’s rookie season was one of the greatest ever by a teenage defenseman. His ADP sits at 31.6, and his DFO rank is 39. The market is still catching up. If the Islanders improve even marginally, Schaefer’s breakout is already here. The question is how high he climbs in the standings.

Lane Hutson And The Montreal Core

Lane Hutson finished fourth in points by a defenseman last season with 78 and led the Montreal Canadiens to a surprise Final Four appearance. Daily Faceoff’s Matt predicted Hutson will finish as the No. 1 fantasy defenseman in 2026-27. That is a bold call, but the underlying numbers support it.

Hutson’s ADP is 20.5, while his DFO rank is 29. The market is drafting him earlier than the consensus, which means the breakout is already priced in. The real value is in his teammate Juraj Slafkovsky, who set career highs with 30 goals, 73 points and 105 hits last season. Slafkovsky was the only NHL player with at least 30 goals, 100 hits and 60 blocks. His ADP is 52.6, and his DFO rank is 59. The breakout is not fully priced.

Clayton Keller’s Power-Play Surge

Clayton Keller already reached 88 points last season, but his finish suggests another level. He produced 38 points over his final 27 games while Utah’s power play surged from one of the NHL’s worst to one of its best. Daily Faceoff’s Brock flagged Keller as a breakout candidate with legitimate 100-point upside.

Keller’s ADP is 44.0, and his DFO rank is 38. The value is positive, meaning the market is sleeping on him. If Utah’s power play holds, Keller could be a top-20 forward by season’s end. That would shift the Western Conference playoff race.

Goaltending Breakouts: Swayman And Wallstedt

Jeremy Swayman finished third in GSAx (+26.5) last season, earned a Vezina finalist nod, and won Olympic Gold in a backup role. Daily Faceoff’s Nick predicted Swayman will win the Vezina Trophy in 2026-27. His ADP is 61.3, while his DFO rank is 40. That is a massive value gap.

Jesper Wallstedt took control of the Minnesota Wild crease in the postseason, starting 10 of 11 games and stealing the net from Filip Gustavsson. He stopped 13.3 GSAx in 35 appearances, eighth in the league on a per-game basis. His ADP is 59.1, and his DFO rank is 56. He is a breakout waiting for a full starter’s workload.

Standings Implications

The NHL breakout predictions above are not just fantasy fodder. They determine who makes the playoffs. If Celebrini lifts San Jose, the Pacific Division gets tighter. If Schaefer anchors the Islanders, the Metropolitan race shifts. If Hutson and Slafkovsky carry Montreal, the Atlantic becomes a four-team fight.

Injury status matters. Jack Hughes has missed at least 20 games in four of the past five seasons, which is why Daily Faceoff’s Matt flagged him as an ADP avoid at 18.4. Nick Suzuki’s 101-point season came with a 15.9% on-ice shooting percentage, a number that screams regression. Those are the risks that break playoff hopes.

Who Makes It

The breakout candidates with the clearest paths are Celebrini, Schaefer, Keller, and Swayman. Each has a defined role, a track record of production, and a market that has not fully adjusted. The ones with injury or regression risk—Hughes, Suzuki, and Leo Carlsson—are the ones to avoid in drafts and in playoff predictions.

For Nigerian fans watching on streaming platforms, the NHL’s global reach means these breakouts will be visible. The standings will shift. The playoff line will move. And the next wave will arrive.

Check official records for current season stats, fixtures, and injury reports before locking in any prediction. The NHL breakout predictions game is won by those who verify first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the top NHL breakout predictions for 2026-27?

Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Schaefer, Lane Hutson, Clayton Keller, and Jeremy Swayman are among the top breakout candidates based on 2025-26 stats and offseason analysis.

Which breakout candidate has the best fantasy value?

Jeremy Swayman has the largest gap between ADP (61.3) and DFO rank (40), making him a strong value pick in fantasy drafts.

Are there injury risks among breakout candidates?

Yes, Jack Hughes has missed at least 20 games in four of the past five seasons, and Nick Suzuki’s shooting percentage suggests regression, making them riskier picks.

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            About Paul Nwogo
            Paul Nwogo is an engineer, published author, and the Head Manager at AfriLatest. He has written numerous books available on Amazon covering a diverse range of topics, including health, personal finance, relationships, work ethics, and scam survival. With his technical background and passion for writing, Paul now oversees the editorial direction of AfriLatest, delivering practical, accurate, and engaging content on trending news, music, and global lifestyle topics.
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Taika Waititi Star Wars Movie On Ice: Fans React

Taika Waititi confirms his Star Wars movie is ‘on ice’ after six years in development. Here’s what he said and what it means for the franchise.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 19, 2026

Paul Nwogo

Taika Waititi Star Wars Movie On Ice: Fans React

Taika Waititi has confirmed that his long-gestating Star Wars movie is officially on ice, and he didn’t sugarcoat it.

Speaking to Inverse while promoting his new film Klara and the Sun, the director was blunt when asked about the project he’s been attached to since 2020. “I hate to break this to you, but we’re going to actually put it on ice and we’re working on a different thing together,” Waititi said. “I don’t even know how to dress it up or make it even vague. It’s very iced. I’ve got about four other movies I’m trying to do.”

Ouch. That’s about as direct as it gets in Hollywood, where “in development” usually means “please stop asking.” But Waititi didn’t completely close the door. “Ice ages do come to an end,” he added. “Who knows?”

A Six-Year Saga of Hopeful Updates

Rumors that Lucasfilm wanted Waititi for a Star Wars film started circulating in January 2020, just a few years after Thor: Ragnarok made him one of Marvel’s most beloved directors. An official announcement followed a few months later, and for a while, things looked promising. In 2021, Waititi said he’d finished the story. In 2022, then-Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said the goal was to hit theaters in late 2023.

That didn’t happen. By 2023, Waititi admitted he was prioritizing other projects, and updates went quiet. Earlier this year, he promised the film would “harness a little bit more of the fun from the original trilogy.” Now it’s frozen solid.

According to IGN, the writing had been on the wall for a while. Kennedy had said the project was “still somewhat alive” amid her exit from Lucasfilm, which is corporate speak for “don’t hold your breath.” Waititi’s publicist reportedly told him not to elaborate further during the Inverse interview, which explains the “well, there’s your answer” follow-up.

Fans React: Disappointment, But Not Surprise

The reaction online has been a mix of disappointment and weary acceptance. Star Wars fans have been burned before. Rian Johnson’s trilogy? Shelved. Kevin Feige’s project? Gone. Donald Glover’s Lando? Missing in action. Add Waititi’s film to the pile.

But this one stings a little more because Waititi’s pitch sounded genuinely fun. He wanted to capture the joy of the original films, the swashbuckling energy that made A New Hope feel like a Saturday matinee adventure. In a franchise that’s been weighed down by lore and legacy, that approach felt refreshing.

According to Variety, Waititi had said in January that he was “trying to go back and harness a little bit more of the fun from the original films.” He also noted that his film would need to exist “a little bit more its own thing” given how much else is happening in the Star Wars universe.

That “own thing” is now on indefinite hold. As Bleeding Cool noted, the project never gained real momentum over six years. No bad blood, apparently, but no movie either.

What’s Still Coming From Star Wars

The good news for fans is that Star Wars isn’t abandoning theaters. The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in 2026, and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter is set for May 28, 2027, with a cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Amy Adams. The original 1977 Star Wars is also returning to theaters for a limited time in February 2027, complete with 70mm IMAX showings and no CGI Jabba.

On the TV side, Ahsoka Season 2 drops January 20, 2027, on Disney Plus, and Maul: Shadow Lord Season 2 is also in the works. Dave Filoni’s New Republic movie and James Mangold’s dawn-of-the-Jedi film are still in development, though the Rey movie from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy sounds increasingly uncertain after Kennedy’s departure.

What Waititi Is Doing Instead

Waititi isn’t hurting for work. His next film, Klara and the Sun, hits theaters October 23, 2026, with Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, and Steve Buscemi. The early reviews, however, are rough. It currently sits at 23% on Rotten Tomatoes after 12 reviews, with Variety’s Guy Lodge calling Waititi’s decision to play it for “strained, whimsical comedy” ruinous.

So maybe the Star Wars news isn’t the only thing Waititi is having a tough week about.

What Fans Should Watch For

The Taika Waititi Star Wars movie is on ice, but “ice ages do come to an end.” If Starfighter performs well and Lucasfilm finds its footing again, could Waititi’s project thaw? It’s possible, but don’t bet on it. Six years of development hell is a long time, and Waititi has four other movies he’s trying to make.

For now, fans should focus on what’s actually coming: Starfighter, Ahsoka Season 2, and the 50th-anniversary re-release of the original film. And maybe keep a little hope in reserve. Stranger things have happened in a galaxy far, far away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Taika Waititi’s Star Wars movie canceled?

Waititi said the project is ‘on ice,’ not officially canceled. He noted that ‘ice ages do come to an end’ but he’s focused on other films for now.

Why was Taika Waititi’s Star Wars movie delayed?

Waititi said he has about four other movies he’s trying to do and didn’t want to rush the project. Lucasfilm never locked in a release date.

What Star Wars movies are still coming out?

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in 2026, Star Wars: Starfighter hits theaters May 28, 2027, and the original 1977 Star Wars returns to theaters in February 2027. Dave Filoni’s New Republic film and James Mangold’s Jedi origin movie are still in development.