Disney invests $1.5B in Fortnite maker Epic Games
polygon.comThe Walt Disney Company is investing $1.5 billion in Fortnite and Unreal Engine maker Epic Games, the two companies announced Wednesday. Together, they’ll build “an all-new games and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences,” according to the news release. The partnership is awaiting regulatory approval, but something is expected “soon-ish,” according to an Epic Games video.
“The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games will collaborate on an all-new games and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences,” a Disney representative wrote in a statement. “Disney will also invest $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games alongside the multiyear project.”
Details on Disney and Epic Games’ “persistent universe,” which is described as being “a world-class games experience and interoperating with Fortnite,” are scarce, except that it’ll be a place dedicated to all things Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar. The announcement also noted it would be a place where people can “play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters, and stories” from those Disney franchises. It sounds like Disney is looking to create a metaverse-like product that’s a one-stop shop for the company, with no need to go anywhere else.
An image published alongside the news release shows at least four separate worlds dotted with different Disney franchises and companies. There’s one island where Marvel and Lucasfilm live in harmony, while Wreck-It Ralph has a high rise directly across from a Nightmare Before Christmas park. It’s not unlike the maps Disney makes of its real-life theme parks.
“This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.”
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