During Disney’s latest earnings briefing, the company shared some of its plans for the gaming industry. One of the key highlights was Disney’s partnership with Epic Games to create content for Fortnite. Disney expressed its goal to create “transformational” new games by merging its beloved brands and franchises with the popular Fortnite universe.
Disney emphasized that its business for licensed video games is the largest in the world, and the investment in Epic Games is a testament to that. The company sees this move as a way to take advantage of the industry-wide shift towards converged gaming ecosystems.
In February, Disney made a significant $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games to develop a new persistent universe for Disney fans. This new platform will allow players to interact with characters and content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar, among others. Fans will also have the opportunity to create their own stories and experiences within this universe.
While specific projects tied to Disney in Fortnite have not been officially announced yet, there is speculation about the possibility of a “virtual Disney World” within the game. Fortnite has evolved from being just a battle royale game to a platform that hosts various games and experiences, both official and user-created.
Disney is expected to share more details about its future plans at D23 in Anaheim, and there is a chance that the company will discuss its Fortnite initiatives. Disney’s claim of being the “largest” player in licensed gaming likely refers to its strategy of working with external studios through licensing agreements, as opposed to developing games in-house.
Several licensed Disney games are currently in development with different studios, including titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Star Wars Outlaws, Star Wars Hunters, Epic Mickey Rebrushed, and Disney Pixel RPG. These collaborations showcase Disney’s commitment to expanding its presence in the gaming industry through strategic partnerships.
As Disney continues to explore new opportunities in gaming, the partnership with Epic Games and the potential for immersive experiences in Fortnite represent a significant step towards engaging with a broader audience of gamers and fans. The convergence of Disney’s iconic brands with the interactive world of gaming is set to create unique and exciting entertainment experiences for players worldwide.