Disney spends $1.5 billion on virtual park in Fortnite


Disney announced an investment of 1.5 billion to collaborate with Epic Games. Its objective is to create new experiences connected to Fortnitedrawing on its licenses.

Disney finally wants to become a major player in video games, after having conquered so many areas thanks to its myriad of licenses, both created and acquired (Marvel, Star Wars). This is how we can interpret his investment of 1.5 billion dollars within the company Epic Games. The goal is not only to become a shareholder of the company behind which Fortnitebut also to develop a social universe full of experiences to live.

The exact contours of the Disney and Epic Games project are still a little vague, but we already know that it will be connected to Fortnite (which represents over 100 active players and creators). This could involve creating a sort of virtual park accessible from Fortnite and developed with the Unreal Engine. “ This new persistent universe will provide a multitude of opportunities for fans to play, watch, purchase and enjoy content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more », We can read in the press release published on February 7, 2024.

Disney and Fortnite tie the knot for $1.5 billion

For Disney, it is nothing more and nothing less than “ the largest entrance » in the world of video games. And this rapprochement with Epic Games does not come out of nowhere: the two multinationals have been flirting with each other for years now with small initiatives. Disney-owned characters have previously appeared in Fortnitewhile some Disney video games use the Unreal Engine.

In any case, it is difficult to see anything other than a marriage of convenience. On the one hand, Epic Games continues to transform Fortnite into a real entertainment platform, with immense profitability. On the other hand, Disney finds yet another way to make all its creations shine without starting from a blank sheet. When we look at the popularity of LEGO Fortnitewe do not dare to imagine a failure for a possible Disney Fortnite – whatever form it takes.

Darth Vader joins Fortnite // Source: YouTube Capture
Darth Vader integrating Fortnite. // Source: YouTube capture

The romance between Disney and Epic Games will last several years. The amount spent by Mickey’s firm is far from the checks signed to recover Marvel in 2009 (4 billion) and Star Wars in 2012 (4 billion). It remains high enough to take this desire for growth seriously.

FortniteFortnite


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