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VIRAL EXCLUSIVE
Feb. 14, 2024
Disney and Epic Games Forge a Mega Entertainment Universe
With a $1.5 billion equity investment, the multiyear project aims to create a vast and interconnected world that seamlessly combines beloved Disney characters from Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Avatar, and beyond. By: Wee Yan Ling
This adventurous initiative marks Disney’s most significant foray into the gaming realm, described by CEO Bob Iger as a “huge Disney universe” that transcends traditional gaming experiences. The project will unravel as a space for gaming, play, watching and even shopping for digital and potentially physical goods. Powered by Unreal Engine, it promises to deliver an immersive and interconnected experience alongside the popular game, Fortnite.
Disney’s visualisation of their expansive universe to not only be a gaming platform, but a place where social networking takes place as players and fans concoct their stories, express fandom in a uniquely Disney manner and share content in ways they cherish. Iger had highlighted the strategic importance of this move as they align with the changing demographic trends where the younger generations spend a significant amount of time in gaming, rivalling or surpassing traditional media consumption.
Historically, Disney had licensed their intellectual property to third-party game studios, however this new venture signifies a direct involvement in the gaming realm. This strategic move is built upon the pre-existing relationship between the two companies with Epic Games participating in a Disney accelerator back in 2017 and collaborating on introducing Disney characters to the game Fortnight.
The announcement comes on the heels of Disney’s release of their earnings which coincided with the revelation of a sports-focused streaming platform joint venture between ESPN, Fox Corporation, and Warner Bros Discovery. Disney’s diversification into digital platforms reflect an industry-wide acknowledgement of the evolving media landscape.
In the year 2023 alone, Disney-licensed games have amassed more than 150 award nominations with their mobile games garnering 1.5 billion international installs. Nine Disney game franchises have each amassed more than $1 billion in sales which further solidifies their place in the ever-expanding digital game world.
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