The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games have announced a gigantic partnership to create an entertainment universe over the years. The collaboration brings Disney’s wide catalog of beloved franchises and IPs, including Disney animation, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar, with Epic Games’ Fortnite gaming experience.
Disney also announced a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, pending regulatory approvals. That’s an eye-popping investment with two of the biggest juggernauts in their respective fields.
This “persistent universe” (quoted from the press release), will be powered by Unreal Engine, and will be accessible through the Fortnite gaming umbrella (which also includes Lego Fortnite and Fortnite Festival).
Sounds like the virtual world of the OASIS from Ready Player One!
Recently returned Disney CEO Bob Iger states this is Disney’s “biggest entry ever into the world of games.” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney calls the project a “persistent, open, and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities.”
“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,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “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.”
Last year Fortnite underwent a redesign to appear more like Roblox, with games-with-the-game, allowing players to play different game modes within the Fortnite application. Each mode is free-to-play, and utilizes Fortnite’s battle pass and seasonal content.
We can presume this new Disney experience will follow suit, with a game that allows players to experience movies, TV, and games within a shared gaming world.
No details or release dates have been announced, but the press release teased a multiyear project.
Fortnite is available on PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and mobile devices.
