Disney has just secured a $1.5bn stake in Epic Games to develop a new Fortnite universe incorporating all of its major properties – including Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, ESPN, and more.
Epic Games has done it again!
The latest major coup for the publisher comes in the form of a hefty $1.5bn investment sum from Disney, and surprise, Fortnite is at the heart of the deal.
The entertainment giant’s minority stake will reportedly be used to build a ‘games and entertainment universe’ within Fortnite where players can explore all things related to Disney and its major properties.
Looking to exploit the mind-boggling spending power of the game’s player-base – which is comprised of fandom from just about every culturally relevant franchise you can think of – Disney chief Bob Iger says its ‘biggest entry ever’ into gaming will offer ‘significant opportunities for growth.’
The ever-evolving and expanding nature of Fortnite is particularly attractive to the multimedia giant, as it continues to grapple with lackluster box office metrics and unease over its attempted foray into streaming.
Turning to the ever-dependable medium of Fortnite to recoup its losses, Disney will work alongside Epic Games developers to build a world in which players can ‘play, watch, shop, and engage’ with its globally recognisable characters, stories, and brands.