The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games are joining forces to create a new gaming and entertainment universe, expanding the scope of beloved Disney stories. As part of this collaboration, Disney will invest $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games. The venture, subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals, aims to integrate Disney's iconic brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar, into a persistent universe. The project, powered by Unreal Engine, will not only offer a world-class gaming experience but also provide various opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop, and engage with Disney content in innovative ways. The goal is to allow players and fans to create their own stories, express their fandom uniquely, and share content within a distinctly Disney framework.
Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, expressed enthusiasm about this transformative collaboration, emphasizing its potential for significant growth and expansion. Tim Sweeney, CEO and Founder of Epic Games, highlighted the pioneering nature of the partnership, creating a persistent and interoperable ecosystem that brings together the Disney and Fortnite communities. Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, sees the collaboration as an opportunity to present Disney's vast collection of stories and experiences to a broad audience in unprecedented ways.
This partnership builds on the existing relationship between Disney and Epic Games, with past collaborations in Fortnite and the use of Unreal Engine across Disney's portfolio. The initiative aims to capitalize on the growing digital world, where over 3 billion video game players worldwide seek seamless and creative experiences across different franchises. Disney's games business, operating on a licensing model since 2016, has been successful, with multiple award nominations and over 1.5 billion global installs for Disney mobile games. The collaboration marks Disney's significant entry into the gaming industry, leveraging Epic Games' technology and Fortnite's open ecosystem to engage consumers where they are most relevant.
