Last month, it was revealed that Disney had made a significant $1.5 billion investment to form a partnership with Epic Games. While they have collaborated before, this particular deal marks a major milestone in their relationship.
The initial announcement mentioned a ‘games and entertainment universe’, sparking curiosity about what this could entail and what we can anticipate from this partnership. To gain insight into the implications of this deal and the potential future outcomes, we consulted with our industry experts, the Mobile Mavens.
Here’s what they had to share:
Owner
Tamalaki
Martine Spaans is the founder of publishing label Tamalaki.com, a boutique publisher specializing in Hidden Object, Match-3, and Simulation games with a hands-on approach.
Tamalaki collaborates with partner-company FGL.com, known for idle/clicker games, card and board games, and quirky puzzles.
Reflecting on the $1.5 billion investment, Martine Spaans noted that this budget could equate to around 10 individual Disney game releases. The partnership with Epic Games presents a more promising avenue for success than launching standalone games, particularly in terms of retention and engagement.
Considering Disney’s collaboration with Fortnite from a DGA (Digital Games Association) perspective, Spaans highlighted its significance. Disney’s trusted brand appeals to parents globally, offering content perceived as ‘safe’ for children, unlike Fortnite, which may appear unfamiliar and raising concerns about gaming addiction.
Speculating on the potential outcomes of the partnership, Spaans mentioned a fusion of Kingdom Hearts and a virtual Disney World Theme Park. While the project’s details are likely under wraps, she anticipates it to be a monumental endeavor requiring several years before fruition.
Chief Strategy Officer
Fundamentally Games
Oscar Clark has been at the forefront of online, mobile, and console social games services since 1998. He is also the author of the book, Games As A Service – How Free To Play Design Can Make Better Games.
Oscar Clark reflected on Disney’s previous endeavors in the games industry and the shift to a licensing model in 2016. He emphasized that the partnership with Epic Games feels distinct and strategic.
Discussing the Metaverse trend and spatial computing experiences, Clark acknowledged Disney’s expertise in leveraging entertainment brands. He highlighted Fortnite as a potential metaverse platform due to its visual fidelity and scale, aligning well with Disney’s iconic licenses.
Clark hinted at a prolonged partnership between Disney and Epic Games, leveraging Unreal Engine’s filmmaking capabilities and exploring new avenues for content monetization.
Exploring the impact of Epic Games’ partnership with Disney, it was noted that Fortnite’s popularity among console gamers could offer easy exposure to a vast audience. The collaboration with LEGO Fortnite in December fueled increased engagement within the game, surpassing established titles like Call of Duty and GTA V in user engagement.
Anticipating larger-scale initiatives beyond in-game events, the focus could shift to more pacifist forms of entertainment like in-game concerts or social gatherings. The existing collaborations between Disney and Fortnite bode well for future ventures.
While integrating Disney characters into the battle royale aspect may be unlikely, the potential for non-violent modes and expanded collaborations remains promising.
Looking towards the future, it was speculated that Epic Games’ technology portfolio could be as significant for Disney as previous acquisitions like Pixar and Lucas technology. Fortnite’s integration of Unreal Engine and unique distribution model offer new opportunities for content monetization and virtual experiences.
With Disney’s focus on streaming services and virtual world experiences, the collaboration with Epic Games could lead to innovative entertainment offerings. The potential for hardware development and AR experiences presents exciting possibilities for immersive storytelling and engagement.
Overall, the partnership between Disney and Epic Games opens doors to a new realm of entertainment possibilities, transcending traditional boundaries and paving the way for groundbreaking experiences.
