The Walt Disney Firm launched its latest earnings report today, and included within the announcement was an replace on the video games enterprise. Specifically, Disney stated it sees gaming as an space of progress, saying gaming is an space of the enterprise that does not ship “vital income” but however is “strategically essential” to the corporate total because it appears to the long run.
CEO Josh D’Amaro stated Disney’s $1.5 billion funding into Epic Video games and Fortnite speaks to Disney’s eagerness to do extra in gaming.
“Interactive platforms are an more and more related medium for youthful audiences to have interaction with characters and tales, and our collaboration with Epic Video games is central to our efforts on this area,” he stated. “Our characters are among the many hottest throughout the Fortnite universe.”
For example, D’Amaro stated The Simpsons x Fortnite occasion in November 2025 noticed 780 million hours performed by greater than 80 million distinctive gamers. Extra lately, Disney and Epic teamed as much as give Fortnite creators a collection of instruments to make their very own Star Wars video games on the Fortnite platform.
Disney Video games govt Sean Shoptaw advised The Hollywood Reporter that as of late, storytelling “is not confined to a single display screen. It lives in worlds followers can step into and form collectively.” That was a part of the rationale why Disney and Epic teamed as much as let Fortnite creators make their very own Star Wars video games.
“The mixture of cinematic storytelling, social connection, and a passionate creator neighborhood is how these worlds can deepen fandom and have interaction new followers in modern methods,” he stated.
Past the Disney content material already obtainable in Fortnite, Epic Video games is alleged to be engaged on an Arc Raiders-style recreation with Disney characters for Fortnite.
Throughout an earnings name at the moment, D’Amaro stated working with Epic and constructing new Fortnite experiences helps Disney attain audiences that it would not presently faucet into in a big manner. He stated working with Fortnite ought to assist the long-lasting Disney flywheel strategy and act as a “spoke” on the wheel to drive gamers to different Disney merchandise. That is no shock, as D’Amaro stated himself in leaked feedback that Fortnite may in the future promote folks Disney Cruise Line tickets and hook up with the broader Disney world in new methods.
Given the shut connection between Disney and Epic, some have theorized that Disney may purchase Fortnite, and even a former Disney govt stated that would occur.