Disney Invests $1.5 Billion in Epic Games, Creator of Fortnite and Unreal Engine
Disney has announced a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite and the Unreal Engine. This transaction is part of a broader partnership aimed at creating a new permanent universe within Fortnite, based on Disney’s most valuable franchises.
The new permanent universe will offer users the opportunity to play, watch, shop, and interact with content, characters, and stories related to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and many others. Fans will have the ability to create their own stories and experiences, express their Disney fandom in a characteristic Disney way, and share content.
Due to the flexibility of the Unreal Engine, this partnership opens up significant possibilities for the development and expansion of Disney’s gaming ventures. It represents Disney’s biggest step into the world of gaming.
In a statement, Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Epic Games and the groundbreaking universe it will create: “Our exciting new partnership with Epic Games will combine beloved Disney brands and franchises with the massively popular game Fortnite, creating a groundbreaking gaming and entertainment universe. This represents Disney’s significant opportunity for growth and expansion, and we can’t wait for fans to experience their favorite Disney stories and worlds in an innovative way.”
Tim Sweeney, CEO and founder of Epic Games, also commented on the partnership, highlighting Disney as one of the first companies to recognize the potential of merging their worlds with Fortnite: “Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of combining their worlds with ours in Fortnite. They also utilize Unreal Engine as part of their offerings. Now we are working together on something entirely new to create permanent, open, and interoperable ecosystems that connect the Disney and Fortnite communities.”
According to Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, this partnership will allow Disney to bring together its extraordinary collection of stories and experiences from various sectors of its business in a way they could previously only dream of. The leading technology of Epic Games and the open ecosystem of Fortnite will help Disney reach consumers where they are, enabling them to interact with the Disney brand in the most meaningful way for them.
This investment builds on the success of recent initiatives such as LEGO Fortnite, which recently entered the market along with Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival.
In another recent event related to Epic Games, it was announced that Fortnite will return to iOS devices in Europe later this year through the Epic Games Store. Meanwhile, Tim Sweeney criticized Apple for its use of the Digital Markets Act, which he considers a “sneaky plan of malicious compliance.”
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The source of the article is from the blog girabetim.com.br