Disney has announced that it will invest $1.5 billion in Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. According to the company’s statement, Disney and Epic Games will work together to create a new “universe of games and entertainment” in the coming years.
Disney’s biggest entry into the gaming world
Disney CEO Bob Iger called this initiativeDisney’s“biggest entry intothe world of games.” Theagreement involves the creation of a gaming and entertainment universe that will allow gamers to interact with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and many others.
This new entertainment universe will be powered by Epic Games‘Unreal Engine, the same technology used by Disney to produce movies, video games and content used in Disney theme parks around the world. Disney has previously partnered with the Fortnite production company to bring characters from Marvel, Tron, and Star Wars to Fortnite.
Opportunities for growth and expansion
Disney sees significant opportunities for growth and expansion in this investment. According to Bob Iger, this collaboration will allow Disney’s beloved brands and franchises to be combined with the popular game Fortnite, creating a new universe of games and entertainment.
Disney ‘s investment in the Fortnite production company represents an important step for the company into the gaming world, offering new opportunities for fans of Disney’s characters and stories to interact and engage. No information on Epic Games’ valuation after Disney’s investment has been disclosed at this time. Currently, Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent owns 40 percent of Epic Games, while Sony owns just over 5 percent.
The agreement between Disney and Epic Games aims to create a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that unites the Disney and Fortnite communities. Both companies believe in the potential of combining their worlds into a single gaming experience.