Today, Disney has made steps that look to be their biggest jump into gaming yet. Disney and Epic Games, the folks behind that little game called Fortnite, are teaming up to create an expansive new entertainment universe connected to the massively popular battle royale title.
On February 7th, Disney dropped the news that they will be investing a shockingly large $1.5 billion into Epic Games for an equity stake. The two companies will use this money and partnership to develop a persistent and interoperable gaming ecosystem that will bring together the fanbases of Disney and Fortnite.
According to the release, this new crossover universe will allow players to “play, watch, shop and engage” with all their favourite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar characters, stories and worlds in brand new ways powered by Epic’s Unreal Engine technology. Fans will even be able to create their own personalized experiences and content featuring these beloved franchises.
Disney CEO Bob Iger calls this venture “probably our biggest foray into the game space ever,” aiming to reach younger generations like Gen Alpha and Gen Z where they’re already spending much of their free time. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, echoed the scale and importance of this crossover collaboration as well, stating, “Now we’re collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem.”
While financial terms beyond the initial investment weren’t disclosed, Iger stated that the deal “represents one of the most significant business opportunities we have ever explored.” Disney already has a lucrative history of bringing its characters into Fortnite through limited-time crossover events. But this persistent shared universe promises to take that synergy to a new level for both brands.
Considering Fortnite’s staggering popularity and cultural footprint, having recognizable Disney icons and locations be permanent staples could attract even more players while keeping existing fans engaged for years to come. For Disney, they get access to Epic’s best-in-class game development resources and Fortnite’s metaverse-esque platform that blurs the lines between gaming, social media and commerce.
Of course, a collaboration of this magnitude won’t happen overnight. The deal is still pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. But once the ink dries, this promises to be a game-changing long-term partnership that could influence the entertainment industry for generations.
For Disney fans, the Magic Kingdom is expanding into exciting new territory, and I can’t wait to see what magic Mickey and friends can conjure up inside Fortnite!
