In a groundbreaking move, Disney has invested a staggering $1.5 billion in a strategic stake in Epic Games, ushering in a new era of collaboration to create an expansive, open, persistent, and social universe. This groundbreaking venture aims to seamlessly “interoperate” with the wildly popular Fortnite, offering fans an immersive space to “play, watch, shop, and engage” with beloved characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more.
The announcement was made during Disney’s Q1 FY24 Earnings Call, revealing that this innovative experience, developed in Unreal Engine, will empower players to “create their own stories and experiences, express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way, and share content with each other in ways that they love.”
Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe. This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion. We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.”
Tim Sweeney, CEO and Founder of Epic Games, highlighted Disney’s early belief in merging their worlds with Fortnite, emphasizing their shared use of Unreal Engine across Disney’s diverse portfolio. Sweeney stated, “Now we’re collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities.”
While specific details about the project and its release date remain undisclosed, it is described as a “multi-year project” that will build upon the successful collaborations between Disney and Epic Games within Fortnite.
This ambitious venture promises a groundbreaking convergence of gaming and entertainment, offering fans a unique and unprecedented space to engage with their favorite franchises in ways that transcend traditional boundaries. As Disney and Epic Games embark on this journey, the possibilities for growth and innovation in the gaming industry seem boundless.