Disney is set to invest £1.3 billion – $1.6 bn – into Fortnite creator Epic Games to create a new “universe”.
The entertainment giant said characters from its popular franchises such as Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel would appear in the game as part of the deal.
Disney chief executive Bob Igor says it is the firm’s “biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion.”
The company says the deal would be subject to regulatory approvals.
Igor 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.”
Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic Games added: “Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of bringing their worlds together with ours in Fortnite, and they use Unreal Engine across their portfolio.
“Now we’re collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities.”
The announcement comes as Disney revealed lacklustre Box Office takings and an expensive push into the streaming market, says the Guardian.
However, on Wednesday it said it entered a “new era” after seeing its profits rise by almost 49% in the three months up to December 31.
It also came on the day Disney announced it would be releasing Moana 2 in 2024. A teaser trailer said the blockbuster would be hitting cinema screens in November.
