Disney and Epic Games have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to create an expansive, open games and entertainment universe connected to Fortnite. This initiative is set to merge Disney’s vast array of beloved brands and franchises with the immensely popular Fortnite platform, creating a new, persistent, and interoperable ecosystem. This partnership signifies Disney’s largest venture into the gaming world to date, promising significant growth and expansion opportunities.
The collaboration will enable fans to play, watch, shop, and engage with characters and storylines from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and others, using Epic’s Unreal Engine technology to ensure a seamless and integrated experience.
The relationship between Disney and Epic Games is not new; they have previously engaged millions through Fortnite content integrations, season collaborations, in-game activations, and live events. For instance, the Marvel Nexus War with Galactus drew more than 15.3 million concurrent players, showcasing the massive potential of their partnership.
Additionally, Disney has successfully utilized Unreal Engine across its portfolio, including in video game development, cinematic editing, animation, and even in the creation of attractions at Disney Parks.
This collaboration aims to cater to the digital world’s rapid growth and evolution, recognizing the desires of over 3 billion gamers worldwide for immersive, creative, and seamless experiences across their favorite universes.
Disney’s shift to a licensing business model in 2016 has proven successful, with licensed games achieving significant acclaim and financial success, indicating a strong foundation for this new venture with Epic Games.
The announcement has generated excitement for the possibilities this partnership could bring to the intersection of gaming and entertainment, promising to deliver experiences beyond what fans have only dreamed of before.
However, details on the release date or specific features of the new entertainment universe are still forthcoming, with both companies hinting at a launch “soon(ish)”
