The participation of The Walt Disney Company The video game industry has undergone a complete turnaround overnight: after decades of selectively participating in projects or licensing its top franchises and characters, the company with the most famous mouse in the world is taking the initiative in a big way and will create your own expansive universe with Epic Games. And not only as a partner, but also as a new large shareholder of those responsible for Fortnite or the Unreal Engine.
Through a official announcementDisney has announced that it will invest the astronomical amount of 1.5 billion dollars in Epic Games shares. Having a direct participation in the company and starting a great alliance that involves the creation of a new mega-project that will encompass all entertainment formats from Fortnite y on a large scale. Based, of course, on the stories and experiences of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Avatar, the house classics and everything that Disney encompasses.
One more experience for a Fortnite that has released lots of new features as a finishing touch to 2023? What Disney has in mind goes further. According to statements in the statement by Robert A. Iger, CEO of the company, this is the largest bet ever made by The Walt Disney Company to date when it comes to expand into video games. In fact, the colossus does not work without a thread: Josh D’Amaro, president of Disney Experiences, makes it clear that its great objective is to continue growing as a company through this universe.
“Epic Games’ industry-leading technology and Fortnite’s open ecosystem will help us reach consumers where they are so they can interact with Disney in the way that’s most relevant to them.”
As far as we know, the great Disney and Epic Games project is part of a new expansive and persistent universe that will be launched on a global scale and will interoperate with Fortnite. In this universe, created through Unreal Engine, players will have a multitude of experiences at their disposal, including games, interactive and creative activities and even the possibility of acquiring content related to all Disney franchises and brands. There will even be a colossal stadium with the initials of ESPN.
What’s more, along with the announcement itself, Disney and Epic have shown a first look at how this persistent universe has been planned, which includes islands with entire cities, large studios dedicated to their brands, a huge Death Star and lots of of places designed to get lost. All of this connected through the iconic castle that presides over its amusement parks.
Needless to say, this initiative is a huge step forward for both titans, although tons of previous probes had already been launched in Epic’s Battle Royale: Ancient Not only has it had great collaborations through aspects for players, but it has offered events that included movie screenings, official trailers for Star Wars or its animated films and the organization of thematic festivals is relatively common. The Cannes Film Festival was even held. So, on paper, this universe would be the next big step in that direction.
Which brings us to the last big question: When will the doors to this new digital Disney World open? For now, Disney is healthy and despite having announced the enormous investment, it is aware that previously a regulatory period must be passed. And although there is no announced date, its official trailer already suggests that everything will begin to take shape “soon.” In any case, Mickey and Jack mouse Nightmare Before Christmas They already have their own little plot reserved in this universe and someone has already parked the Millennium Falcon next to the Pixar ball.
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