Disney and Epic Games Join Forces to Create an Unforgettable Gaming Universe

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Disney and Epic Games have announced the creation of a new games and entertainment universe that will bring together beloved Disney stories and experiences with the immersive world of Fortnite. This exciting partnership will revolutionise the gaming industry and offer fans a whole new way to engage with their favourite Disney franchises.

The collaboration will see Disney invest $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games, solidifying their commitment to this ambitious project. By integrating iconic Disney properties such as Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar into the Fortnite universe, players will have the opportunity to interact with beloved characters and stories in unprecedented ways.

The new universe will be powered by the innovative Unreal Engine, ensuring a seamless and immersive gaming experience. This marks Disney's biggest venture yet into the world of games and represents a significant opportunity for growth and expansion.

Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, expressed his excitement about the partnership, 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 collaboration will allow 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 support and the potential for this collaboration to create a persistent, open, and interoperable ecosystem. He said, "Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of bringing their worlds together with ours in Fortnite, and they use Unreal Engine across their portfolio. 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."

Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, emphasized the unparalleled opportunities this collaboration will create. He stated, "This will enable us to bring together our incredible collection of stories and experiences from across the company for a broad audience in ways we have only dreamed of before. Epic Games' industry-leading technology and Fortnite's open ecosystem will help us reach consumers where they are so they can engage with Disney in the ways that are most relevant to them."

This collaboration between Disney and Epic Games continues an already successful partnership, with previous Fortnite content integrations, live events, and collaborations engaging millions of players. The integration of Unreal Engine across Disney's portfolio has also contributed to their success in video game development and cinematic editing.

The digital gaming industry is on the rise, with over 3 billion players worldwide. Disney recognised the potential of this market and shifted to a licensing business model in 2016, resulting in strong results and numerous award nominations. Their mobile games alone have garnered 1.5 billion global installs, with nine franchises grossing over $1 billion in sales each. It is no surprise that licensed Disney titles regularly feature on the annual top-10 best-sellers list in the U.S.

With this collaboration, Disney and Epic Games are poised to revolutionise the gaming landscape and create an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages. The possibilities are endless as players prepare to embark on epic adventures in the Disney and Fortnite universe.