Disney & Fortnite publisher Epic Games announce new virtual world in $1.5bn deal

Disney is investing $1.5 billion into Epic Games, as the two will craft an expansive games and entertainment universe connected to Fortnite.

Epic Games continues to expand its foothold on the entertainment industry as a whole. Thanks to Fortnite, the company has partnered with dozens of entities in recent years, from celebrities such as Ariana Grande and Eminem to entertainment behemoths like Disney, LEGO, and Sony.

Evidently, such collaborations only represent the beginning of something much bigger. And that something seems to have manifested in the gargantuan deal that Epic just signed with Walt Disney Co.

The two are now working together on a brand-new universe, one that will somehow tie into the world of Fortnite.

Epic Games inks massive deal with Walt Disney Co.

Epic and Disney plan to deepen their relationship, specifically by collaborating on an “all-new games and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences.” On top of this multiyear deal, the latter is investing $1.5 billion into the Fortnite creator.

While next to nothing is known about the new virtual world, a Disney press release refers to it as a “world-class games experience” set to interoperate with Fortnite.

The statement continues, explaining, “…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,” etc.

Creating a new universe ✨@Disney x Epic Gameshttps://t.co/gTwt5e3dpz pic.twitter.com/iPC0T2FlzU

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) February 7, 2024

Better still, players can expect the new adventure to allow them to craft their own stories and experiences in a “distinctly Disney way.”

And, apparently, sharing content will constitute an essential part of the fun. As one would expect, Epic’s very own Unreal Engine will power the persistent universe.

When more concrete details might surface is currently anyone’s guess. However, reason suggests Disney and Epic Games‘ ambitious vision won’t be realized for at least a few years.