Walt Disney has announced a significant investment of $1.5 billion (approximately Rs. 12,400 crore) in Epic Games, the developer behind the popular game Fortnite, as part of a broader partnership that includes Disney’s major franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Avatar.
According to the companies, fans will soon have the opportunity to engage with Disney characters while playing Fortnite, which will include options for watching, shopping, and interactive gaming experiences. This partnership will also involve the development of new titles and collaborative efforts linked to Disney’s theme parks.
“This represents Disney’s most substantial move into the gaming sector and opens up substantial avenues for growth and innovation,” stated Disney’s CEO Bob Iger in a press release.
Disney’s history in the gaming industry has been mixed. In 2016, the company restructured its gaming division after facing challenges in creating successful in-house titles. Currently, Disney licenses its brands to external developers and publishers, including major players like Electronic Arts and Sony Group.
The collaboration between Disney and Epic Games is not new; the two companies have worked together for several years through Disney’s Accelerator program, mentoring smaller businesses. Epic has previously integrated various Disney characters, including those from Star Wars and Marvel, as avatars for Fortnite players. Additionally, Epic’s Unreal Engine has been instrumental in developing games for Disney.
“Disney was one of the earliest adopters of the idea of merging their franchises with ours in Fortnite,” remarked Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, in the announcement.
This new venture is expected to extend over multiple years, with Epic managing the development of the interactive experiences internally.
This deal aligns with other recent collaborations between Epic and major consumer brands. Last year, Kirkbi, the family holding company of the Lego Group, invested $1 billion in Epic to create online experiences centered around its brand. The launch of Lego Fortnite, which featured characters in a blocky Lego design, attracted around 2 million players shortly after its release.
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