Walt Disney Company has invested $1.5 billion to acquire a stake in Epic Games, the company behind the popular video game Fortnite.
This investment will lead to a collaboration to create a new games and entertainment universe that integrates Disney’s beloved stories and characters.
“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,” Disney stated. “Disney will also invest $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games alongside the multiyear project.”
The venture aims to offer opportunities for players to engage with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more.
“In addition to being a world-class games experience and interoperating with Fortnite, the new persistent universe will offer a multitude of opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more,” they said.
“Players, gamers and fans will be able to create their own stories and experiences, express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way, and share content with each other in ways that they love,” Disney said.
Disney sees this as a significant move into the world of games and entertainment, while Epic Games is excited about the collaboration.
“Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe,” CEO Bob Iger said. “This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion.
“We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.”
“Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of bringing their worlds together with ours in Fortnite, and they use Unreal Engine across their portfolio,” Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said. “Now we’re collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities.”
Despite Disney’s other challenges, such as lawsuits and theme park attendance issues, the investment reflects the company’s interest in tapping into the lucrative video game market.
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