- ByStartupStory | February 8, 2024
The Walt Disney Company has announced its intention to acquire a $1.5 billion stake in Epic Games, the renowned video game developer recognized for Fortnite. Disney intends to utilize this investment to construct a new “games and entertainment universe” for Disney properties over the next several years.
According to Disney, this persistent universe will seamlessly integrate with Fortnite, offering players fresh opportunities for gaming, video content, and interaction with Disney’s iconic characters and narratives. Disney CEO Bob Iger hailed this initiative as the company’s “biggest entry ever into the world of games.”
The announcement trailer showcased a plethora of content from Disney animated films, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar, highlighting the vast scope of the collaboration between Disney and Epic Games.
Disney’s collaboration with Epic Games isn’t new, as they have previously organized live events and special content within Fortnite. Moreover, Fortnite has transitioned from a traditional battle royale game to a metaverse-style platform featuring licensed content from various pop culture phenomena.
In 2022, Epic Games secured a $2 billion investment from Sony and the group behind Lego toys, marking a significant milestone. Subsequently, in late 2023, the two companies launched a Lego game within Fortnite, establishing one of its inaugural “fun and safe digital spaces for children and families.”
