Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Epic Games Shows AI 3D Workflow, Sparks Layoff, Copyright Debate

6/18/2026

41 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Epic Games Demonstrates

Epic Games released a video of artists using GenMedia and Google’s Nano Banana to turn 2D sketches into 3D art.
Artists said AI tools start the work but need manual fixes.
Viewers called the video shameless and linked it to a 1,000-staff layoff.
Others praised the workflow for rapid iterations and higher quality.
A VFX artist called it AI laundering and warned prompts could delay production and raise copyright concerns.

Summary

Epic Games AI Debate

UnrealFest’s agenda this week lists fifteen generative-AI sessions.
Veteran developers on a panel admitted they are “hacks” who rely on generative AI.
Epic Games CEO, openly pro-AI, promoted a video the article describes as propaganda.
Critics cited the studio’s crunch history and warned the AI push may harm artistic discovery, sparking debate about creative labor’s future.

1 of 2

Epic Games Demonstrates

Epic Games released a video of artists using GenMedia and Google’s Nano Banana to turn 2D sketches into 3D art.
Artists said AI tools start the work but need manual fixes.
Viewers called the video shameless and linked it to a 1,000-staff layoff.
Others praised the workflow for rapid iterations and higher quality.
A VFX artist called it AI laundering and warned prompts could delay production and raise copyright concerns.

1 / 2