The new persistent, open and social universe will provide consumers with a plethora of opportunities to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and others
Walt Disney to invest $1.5bn in Epic Games. (Credit: The Walt Disney Company/Business Wire)
Walt Disney has announced an investment of $1.5bn in US-based video games developer Epic Games to acquire an equity stake in the latter.
Both parties will also join forces on an all-new games and entertainment universe that is expected to further expand the reach of Disney stories and experiences.
The new persistent, open, and social universe will provide consumers with a plethora of opportunities to play, watch, shop, and engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and others.
Besides, the new universe will be interoperating with Epic Games’ Fortnite and its over 100 million active players and creators.
Epic Games CEO and founder Tim Sweeney said: “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.
“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.”
According to Disney, the Unreal Engine will enable players, gamers, and fans to develop their own stories and experiences, express their fandom, and share content with each other.
The Unreal Engine is leveraged to create assets and content across the Disney portfolio including in the development of video games and in the creation of over 15 Disney parks attractions.
Through Fortnite content integrations, season collaborations, in-game activations, and live events, Disney and Epic Games have drawn in hundreds of millions of players.
Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger said: “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.
“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.”
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.