The Walt Disney Company, renowned for its diverse array of movies, animations, and entertainment merchandise, is expanding its scope to include gaming. While Marvel Studios serves as its gaming arm for all things Marvel-related, other Disney IPs are scattered across various platforms under different studios. However, Disney’s latest endeavor aims to consolidate its properties into a unified “Entertainment Universe.” Leveraging their previous collaboration experience, Disney has turned to Epic Games as the ideal partner for this ambitious metaverse project.
In the realm of virtual universes, Fortnite emerges as a standout contender. As outlined in a blog by The Walt Disney Company, Disney is poised to invest $1.5 billion to secure an equity stake in Epic Games, marking the beginning of a multiyear collaboration endeavor.
The CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Robert A. Iger, has additionally stated,
“An exhilarating new alliance uniting Disney’s iconic brands and franchises with the immensely popular Fortnite game will forge a revolutionary unified gaming and entertainment cosmos.”
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney emphasized that this extends the existing collaborative bond between Disney and Fortnite. Sweeney affirmed that this partnership will introduce Disney’s universe into Fortnite, expanding the game’s potential into a multiverse of opportunities. Tim Sweeney elaborated,
“…we are embarking on a completely fresh endeavor to construct a lasting, inclusive, and interconnected ecosystem that will unite the Disney and Fortnite communities.”
Collaboration between Epic Games and Disney
It’s no secret that Disney has been a consistent presence in Fortnite through various collaborations, whether it’s incorporating Marvel superheroes or Star Wars elements into the game. Additionally, Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, which they own, has provided assets for titles like Disney’s Kingdom Hearts 3 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Beyond gaming, Unreal Engine is utilized for cinematic editing and animation in film and streaming projects. Epic Games has also contributed to the development of over 15 attractions at Disney Parks, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
With the fresh collaboration in place, Epic Games is poised to introduce a whole new virtual realm of Disney within their games. Whether it’s the upcoming Mandalorian Mayhem in Rocket League or a distinct universe crafted within Fortnite, players can anticipate an immersive fusion of Disney magic and gaming experience.
This collaboration opens up numerous possibilities, including new game modes, experiences, and the inclusion of featured Disney characters. With the release of a video trailer on the official Fortnite YouTube channel, the investment and anticipation surrounding this venture are certainly worth monitoring closely.
It’s worth noting that Disney underwent layoffs within its metaverse division last year, while Epic Games also experienced layoffs in September 2023. Despite these setbacks, Epic Games has shown prior interest in metaverse initiatives. The Disney Collaborate metaverse project promises to enrich their expansive Fortnite universe further. Moreover, Epic Games recently welcomed LEGO into the fold, collaborating on LEGO Fortnite, expanding the virtual world with a touch of LEGO magic.
At present, release dates for the new Disney universe remain uncertain. What are your thoughts on this investment? Are there any specific outcomes you hope to see from this collaboration? Let us your excited thoughts down in the comments section.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!