Big news for gamers!
Disney and Epic Games (the makers of Fortnite) are teaming up to create a brand-new world of games and entertainment. This partnership will combine Disney's beloved characters and stories with Epic's gaming expertise.
Disney is also investing a lot of money (over $1 billion!) in Epic Games to help make this project happen. It sounds like this could be a major game-changer for the entertainment industry!
The gaming industry, facing challenges lately, welcomes this news. With companies like Netflix entering gaming, Disney's move was anticipated. Gaming, worth more than music and movies combined, has about 3 billion players worldwide.
Disney and Epic Games teaming up is a big sign. It shows that more and more companies are realizing how important gaming is. Gaming might even become the new way people hang out online, especially for younger generations. Already, many young people prefer games to chat with friends!
How This Collab Will Change The Entertainment Industry?
This collaboration can rejuvenate Disney’s extensive IP library, bringing back forgotten IP and elevating popular and new IP to greater success. It allows Disney to explore gaming further, confident that an audience will be present.
Picture movies released in theaters and also in games, with virtual merchandise becoming as crucial to Disney's revenue as its branded products already are.
This extends the Disney parks experience into the digital realm, allowing players to engage in-game before visiting the park. Epic Games' fruitful collaboration with Lego proves its readiness for larger ventures, with Disney being the ultimate opportunity.
Amid the fluctuating streaming industry, Disney+ can utilize virtual worlds to deliver its content.
The announcement mentioned that the new persistent universe, in addition to providing a top-notch gaming experience and connecting with Fortnite, will offer various opportunities for consumers to interact with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and other franchises.
As Gen Z and Gen Alpha increasingly socialize and invest in gaming, teaming up with Epic allows Disney to access new audiences globally and across different age groups.
This also indicates a change in how companies like Disney perceive their fans and their readiness to collaborate with them, a challenge that many brands still face.
Is there anything else in this Disney and Epic Games' partnership?
According to the announcement, players, gamers, and fans will have the opportunity to craft their own narratives and adventures, express their passion for Disney in a unique manner, and exchange content in ways they enjoy.
This collaboration and the introduction of new experiences would rely on Epic’s Unreal Engine. This engine is already utilized for developing content for Fortnite, and Fortnite Creative, as well as numerous movies and TV shows.
Its significance and value for developers creating games, virtual and augmented reality, and spatial computing have greatly increased.
The announcement didn't use the word “metaverse” but they are creating a new online world. This world will be like some popular games today where players can visit and keep coming back.
It's different from the metaverse idea but shows Disney and Epic Games are thinking about long-term online experiences for players.
Less than a year ago, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney mocked those who doubted the metaverse's viability. Today's announcement likely indicates a positive outlook for the future of virtual worlds, including the metaverse.
What do we think?
I think the collaboration between Disney and Epic Games will revolutionize the gaming and entertainment industries. By merging Disney's iconic characters and stories with Epic's gaming expertise, they're creating a new world of immersive experiences.
This partnership could lead to innovative games, virtual experiences, and even new ways to enjoy movies. This could also ready Epic Games for a potential public offering in the coming years, a move that some have speculated about for some time.
