Epic is developing a Disney-themed extraction shooter to attract younger male gamers.

Epic Games is working on a new extraction shooter for Disney, set to launch in November, as reported. This title marks the first release stemming from Disney’s substantial $1.5 billion investment in Epic, a company renowned for its work on Fortnite and the Unreal Engine.

The extraction shooter is said to draw inspiration from Embark Studios’ popular Arc Raiders, but with a twist: it will incorporate Disney characters. It’s still uncertain whether these characters will be exclusive to this game or if they will include a variety of Disney-owned icons, similar to those featured in Fortnite, which has showcased characters from franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Toy Story. Over the past eight years, Epic has introduced numerous Disney characters into Fortnite, including recent additions like Perry and Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb.

Sources indicate that while Epic’s Disney extraction shooter may not be groundbreaking, there is optimism among employees that the final product will resonate well by its launch. Fortnite itself wasn’t particularly original, as its battle royale mode emerged as a direct competitor to PUBG Battlegrounds, which played a significant role in popularizing the battle royale genre.

Disney’s venture into the extraction shooter realm aligns with its strategy to attract Gen Z males through new, original films. As established franchises like Star Wars and Marvel face challenges in recapturing past successes, Disney is encouraging creators to focus on content that appeals to younger male gamers.

Despite Epic’s established presence with Fortnite, the new extraction shooter isn’t guaranteed to succeed. While Embark achieved unexpected success with Arc Raiders, Epic and Disney’s project will encounter stiff competition from upcoming titles this year, including Bungie’s Marathon, Krafton’s PUBG: Black Budget, and Deep Worlds’ Beautiful Light. Some developers are wisely avoiding the increasingly saturated PvPvE market.

The partnership between Epic and Disney is expected to yield at least two more games. In 2024, the companies plan to create an “all-new games and entertainment universe” that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences.

Earlier this year, Epic made headlines by announcing layoffs of over 1,000 employees due to rising development costs for Fortnite. Additionally, the company revealed a significant Disney-related initiative, granting content creators access to a wealth of Star Wars assets for custom Fortnite experiences.