Disney invests $1.5bn into Epic Games for ‘transformational’ Fortnite partnership

Disney has today (February 7) announced a massive $1.5 billion investment into Epic Games, as it looks to expand its prestigious IPs further into the Fortnite universe and its associated titles.

Although Disney already has quite a solid relationship with Epic Games, it has become an official stakeholder in the company, all in a bid to capitalise on Fortnite's audience.

After already releasing countless collaborations, Disney and Epic Games' multiyear project will look to be "transformational" in furthering the popularity of all of the combined beloved brands.

Disney invests in Epic Games to bring more games to Fortnite

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Since Fortnite's conception, Disney's Marvel universe has become a staple in Fortnite, with skins for the most renowned and iconic superheroes being added and lapped up by fans old and young. 

The new partnership is designed to "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."

By extension of the new cross-game customization, this could also extend to Rocket League via Rocket Racing, which has also launched a new collaboration with Disney through The Mandalorian Mayhem bundles. 

Disney to launch a new Universe within Fortnite

The first initiative in the new partnership will see Disney launch a new "universe" within Fortnite, via Unreal Engine, where "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."

In a public statement, Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, said, "Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe."

"This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion. We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways."

Disney and Epic Games' relationship may also expand to other games, as Unreal Engine is being used for Kingdom Hearts 3 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.