Disney and Epic Games
Key Points
- Disney and Epic Games team up to develop a new games and entertainment universe
- Disney to invest $1.5 billion in Epic Games for an equity stake
- The collaboration aims to integrate beloved Disney stories and experiences into Fortnite and beyond
In a groundbreaking partnership, The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games are set to collaborate on an expansive new games and entertainment universe that will extend the reach of cherished Disney narratives and experiences. As part of this venture, Disney will make a substantial $1.5 billion investment to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games, paving the way for a multiyear project. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
This ambitious initiative will not only offer an immersive gaming experience, intricately woven into the fabric of Fortnite, but will also introduce a plethora of opportunities for consumers to engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more. Through this collaboration, players, gamers, and fans will have the chance to craft their own narratives and experiences, express their fandom in a quintessentially Disney manner, and share content in ways that resonate with them. Driving this innovation forward will be the powerful Unreal Engine.
Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, expressed excitement about the transformative potential of 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, acknowledged Disney's early belief in the potential of integrating their worlds with Fortnite. He added, "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 significance of leveraging Epic Games' industry-leading technology and Fortnite's open ecosystem to reach consumers where they are and engage with them in meaningful ways.
Deepening the Epic Games & Disney Relationship
The partnership between Disney and Epic Games builds upon their successful collaborations in the past, which have captivated millions of players through Fortnite content integrations, seasonal events, and live experiences. Notable among these was the Marvel Nexus War with Galactus, which saw over 15.3 million concurrent players.
Moreover, Unreal Engine has played a pivotal role across Disney's portfolio, contributing to the development of video games such as Kingdom Hearts 3 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, cinematic editing and animation for film and streaming, and the creation of over 15 Disney Parks attractions.
Additionally, Epic Games participated in the 2017 Disney Accelerator program, aimed at shaping the future of technology and entertainment.
Games Industry Growth & Disney Games Success
The digital landscape is witnessing unprecedented growth, with over 3 billion video game players worldwide seeking seamless transitions between their favorite worlds, opportunities for creativity, and exceptional gameplay experiences.
Disney's games business has flourished since its transition to a licensing model in 2016. As a leading games licensor, Disney collaborates with top-tier developers and publishers, including the creators of the best-selling superhero game of all time, Marvel’s Spider-Man. Licensed Disney games received over 150 award nominations, wins, and accolades in 2023, with multiple nominations for Game of the Year for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Disney's mobile games boast 1.5 billion global installs, and nine Disney game franchises have each surpassed $1 billion in sales. In the United States, the world's largest games market, licensed Disney titles consistently rank among the top 10 best-sellers annually.
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