Epic Video games and The Walt Disney Firm have introduced that they’ll create an interconnected universe someway tied to Fortnite that can embrace content material from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and extra. The actual nature of the connection between the businesses and what these new tasks appear to be stays to be seen, however as a part of it, Disney has invested $1.5 billion for a stake in Epic Video games.
Inside this “new persistent universe,” gamers will be capable of create experiences utilizing Disney’s personal properties and share that content material as properly. “Our thrilling new relationship with Epic Video games will deliver collectively Disney’s beloved manufacturers and franchises with the vastly common Fortnite in a transformational new video games and leisure universe,” mentioned Disney CEO Bob Iger in a statement.” He explains that that is Disney’s largest funding into the video games business to date.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney added, “Disney was one of many first corporations to consider within the potential of bringing their worlds along with ours in Fortnite, and so they use Unreal Engine throughout their portfolio. Now we’re collaborating on one thing totally new to construct a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that can deliver collectively the Disney and Fortnite communities.”
Traditionally, Disney did have its personal inside recreation improvement studios, though those–including the beloved LucasArts–were slowly shut down over time. The firm moved within the course of outsourcing recreation improvement, akin to its long-standing relationship with EA to develop Star Wars recreation, which has subsequently expanded to incorporate publishers like Ubisoft.
Disney was a earlier investor in Epic Video games when Fortnite exploded in recognition again in 2018. The two corporations have additionally collaborated earlier than by placing content material from Marvel and Star Wars into Fortnite.