Disney is set to embark on a new project in collaboration with Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, after investing $1.5 billion in a stake in the company. The goal of this partnership is to expand the reach of Disney stories and experiences within the popular battle royale game.
The Disney and Epic Games Collaboration is a Multi-Year Project
This multi-year project aims to create an experience within Fortnite similar to the recently released Fortnite: Rocket Racing, Fortnite Festival, and LEGO Fortnite. The teaser trailer revealed a series of interlinked islands featuring a wide range of Disney properties.
The collaboration will result in a “persistent universe” where players can create their own Disney stories and experiences and engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more in a distinctly Disney way.
While Disney x Fortnite collaborations are not new, the upcoming project is expected to take the partnership to a new level. Player skins from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Star Wars, and Marvel are already available, and in-game events like the Marvel Nexus War with Galactus have taken place. Epic Games CEO and Founder Tim Sweeney mentioned:
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.
Disney CEO Robert A. Iger has described the collaboration as “Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games.” The significant investment will be used to create new games and entertainment, and is still subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, with an expected release date in the near future.