The Disney Company has announced that it will invest 1.5 billion US dollars in Epic Games. This could lead to a kind of virtual Disneyland being created in Fortnite.
What kind of deal is this? On February 7, 2024, the Walt Disney Company announced a new collaboration with Epic Games. As part of a multi-year project, a “completely new gaming and entertainment universe” is set to be created.
In addition, Disney is investing 1.5 billion US dollars – nearly 1.4 billion Euros – to acquire a stake in Epic Games. Now the deal just needs to clear the usual bureaucratic hurdles.
A short teaser trailer features characters like Indiana Jones and Elsa the Snow Queen, who may soon be making their mark in Fortnite. Additionally, a first glimpse of a kind of virtual Disneyland can be caught.
No one is planning to build a metaverse
What exactly is planned? In the Disney Company’s announcement, there is talk of a “permanent, […] transformative new gaming and entertainment universe.” Disney plans to integrate its brands and franchises into the world of Fortnite.
Characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and many others will encourage players to “play, watch, shop, and engage.” Besides the consumption aspect, fans will also be able to create their “own stories and experiences.”
All of this sounds somewhat like Kingdom Hearts in the metaverse, but both Disney and Epic are keen to avoid naming it as such. The companies still need to reveal specific details about their plans. While this is not the first collaboration between Disney and Fortnite, it is by far the largest to date.
Do the Griddy, Elsa
How is it being received? The comments under the announcement post from Fortnite on X have been quite positive so far. Fans are already dreaming of achieving an epic victory with their favorite Disney characters.
On YouTube, the mood is quite similar. Only very few comments express any concerns amid the excitement, such as about the prominent consumption aspect or the speculation that upcoming Disney games might be exclusively distributed through the Epic Games Store.
Now, it remains to be seen when we will learn more about the collaboration. The trailer mentions “soon(ish)” which means “it will come when it comes”.
Disney’s investment of 1.5 billion US dollars is likely coming at a good time for Epic Games. Just recently, there were massive layoffs at the Steam competitor Epic Games. It seems they are simply not able to get on a positive track: Steam rival Epic wanted a 50% market share – Still in the red five years later
