Summary
It’s no secret thatEpic Games' rise to an industry powerhouse can be partly attributed to its diverse roster of collaborations with major IPs.Over the years, the developer has proven itself to be capable of consistently delivering engaging content for its player base. However, the upcomingEpic Games x Disney partnershipcould potentially raise the stakes.
While the partnership was recently announced on February 7, a concrete launch date remains elusive. Based on current information, it will be a multiyear project. Fortunately, with the concept in its early stages,Epic Gameshas ample time to meticulously plan the ambitious project before its debut. Notably, although this collaboration shows promise, Epic Games needs to avoid making this universe too similar toLEGO Fortnite’s.
Epic Games Should Be Careful Going Forward
Disney and Epic Games Are Investing In A Digital Universe
The Epic Games and Disney partnership boasts immense potential, but properly managing its vast scope will be of the utmost importance. For instance, thoughLEGO Fortnite’s successshows promise, Epic Games shouldn’t rely on simply replicating its formula. Doing so would risk overlooking the countless unique opportunities that an open universe with Disney offers, as there is a near-limitless amount of gameplay opportunities available by exploring each IP.
Of course,Epic Games has collaborated with Disneyin the past, primarily in the form ofFortniteskins. However, the joint statement from the two companies unveiled a “metaverse initiative,” marking a departure from previous ventures and suggesting a broader and more diverse crossover. Fortunately, this sounds quite distinct from the open-world survival genre ofLEGO Fortnite, which is unique in its own right.
Disney x Epic Games Needs To Be Unique
According to Disney, the partnership will yield a fully-fledgedgames and entertainment universewhere users can play, watch, shop, and engage with characters from bothFortniteand Disney. Franchises that will be included are listed below, though this isn’t a definitive list:
In the words of Tim Sweeney, the CEO and Founder of Epic Games, “This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games.” This statement carries significant weight, considering the immense potential of merging Disney’s diverse characters and stories withEpic Games' expansive in-game universe. Such a collaboration could truly be a historic moment for both companies. However, if it results in an open arena similar to that ofLEGO Fortnite, it might be redundant.
WithFortnitealready offering an open-worldexperience powered by Unreal Engineand featuring a crossover with another franchise, a future collaboration needs to be both transformative and groundbreaking. Copying and pasting the formula of past triumphs won’t be enough. Instead, it should leverage the unique strengths of both Disney and Epic Games to create an experience that feels fresh, immersive, and unlike anything else on the market.
“A future collaboration needs to be both transformative and groundbreaking.”
According to a company report, Epic Games secured a $2 billion investment from Sony and LEGO in 2022. While the full allocation of these funds wasn’t disclosed, it’s likely a good portion of this went into the ongoing support anddevelopment ofLEGO Fortnite.In a similar vein, it appears that Disney is going to invest at least $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games, in addition to the entertainment universe.
Fortunately, such an investment implies that the pair are serious about creating a world-class experience. Hopefully, more concrete details about the landmark collaboration betweenEpic Gamesand the House of Mouse will be released shortly. If done correctly, the partnership has the potential toreshape the future of gaming and entertainment. Avoiding another open-world survival experience would be a good starting point for making the project feel original.
