Disney is investing $1.5 billion into Fortnite creator Epic Games to create an expansive universe for “games and entertainment.

Disney Injects $1.5 Billion into Epic Games to Create An “Expansive” Universe within Fortnite

Creator of Fortnite has received a $1.5 , Epic Games are collaborating to construct what is being characterised as a “broad and open universe for games and entertainment.” In relation to this announcement, Disney disclosed that it is making an investment of $1.5 billion for an equity share in Epic.

In addition to being a world-class games experience and interoperating with Fortnite, the new persistent universe will offer a multitude of opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more. Players, gamers, and fans will be able to create their own stories and experiences, express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way, and share content with each other in ways that they love. This will all be powered by Unreal Engine.

Disney representative

The collaboration universe has been described as a “persistent universe” and expected to provide a “world-class games experience and interoperating with Fortnite”. Other details are still rather thin except that will include IPs such as Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and Avatar. Those who enter the Epic Games x Disney universe will be able to “play, watch, shop and engage”. Some of Disney’s well-known franchises’ stories and characters will part of the world. From the sounds of it, it sounds like a Disney World metaverse-type project, a one-stop shop.

We get a few hints of what else might be involved as an image that was published along with the news shows four different worlds complete with Disney franchises. One particular island includes Marvel and Lucasfilm, whereas Wreck-It Ralph appears as a towering building across from the Nightmare Before Christmas park. It seems quite reminiscent of Disney’s own real-life theme park layouts.

The Disney Epic-verse

Disney CEO Bob Iger calls this the “biggest entry ever into the world of games” for Disney. He goes on to explain that it will offer “groundbreaking new ways” to experience Disney tales. Disney of course has had numerous gaming titles that feature Disney characters including the Kingdom Hearts series published by Square Enix. But this isn’t their first time collaborating with Epic. Earlier this year they dropped Lego Fortnite which crosses an open-world game with the Lego IP.

Fortnite isn’t also the only crossover collab. Rocket League another Epic game is getting a Mandalorian-themed update.

There is no release window for when we’ll see the Fortnite x Disney universe rise put teases “soon(ish)”. But the virtual world has a lot of options when it comes to the growth of the universe under Epic Games.

For more news find it here in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Gets Stunning Gameplay Reveal; Demo Available Now and Rumour: Elden Ring Mobile Game in Development.