The sum is commensurate with the forces involved: 1.5 billion dollars. This is the amount that The Walt Disney Company has just injected into the Epic Games studio, creator of the phenomenon game Fortnite. The agreement, which was revealed last night, represents the big-eared firm’s biggest investment in the world of video games so far. Obviously, we should expect that many Disney heroes will be propelled into the world of Fortnitea universe rich in collaborations since the shooting game developed by Epic Games has already welcomed into its fold the Nerf guns, the NFL, the luxury brand Balenciaga and even John Wick among many, many others.
Of course, Fortnite has already welcomed some Disney-run franchises (like Marvel superheroes), and this deal should accelerate the movement. Tim Sweeney, president and founder of Epic Games, however, goes further and announces: “We’re working hand in hand on something completely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that brings together the Disney and Fornite communities.“. The press release announcing the agreement mentions a “social universe“in which the”consumers“(a term which was not chosen at random) will be able to”play, watch, shop and engage“. From there to imagine Fortnite transform into a kind of Second Lifemetaverse or virtual Disneyland in which players would choose their universe (Marvel, Star Wars, Disney…) before purchasing cosmetic items then competing in themed arenas, there is only a step.
Still, the agreement concluded by Disney and Epic Games will run for many years and that projects going beyond a simple partnership between Fortnite and Disney are planned. Epic Games could thus adapt, in the future, cinematographic works such as the next Pixar films, Star Wars or Avatar.