Derivative of the ‘laws of nature’ expansion of the universe has trickled down to many multimedia mass media and entertainment conglomorates. Centuries ago, it was believed that the universe expands faster than the speed of light, a parallel growth format has emerged encapsulating a new, alternate and divergent way of storytelling. A reflection of societal change with coming into an age of fluxional existence.
The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries are leading diversified international entertainment and media by catering to expansive entertainment, sports and experience categories. Quick to quantify the projections of convertees accounted for by the gaming universe, Disney made amends as early as 2016. Repositioning and tapping into the licensing business model has delivered Disney strong results, with one being the best-selling superhero game of all-time, Marvel’s Spider-Man. Disney and Epic Games have successfully engaged hundreds of millions of players through Fortnite content integrations, season collaborations, in-game activations as part of their avid strategy. On the mobile front, Disney claims its games have a total of more than 1.5 billion installs globally, with nine franchises grossing more than $1 billion in sales.
Disney and Epic Games collaboration’s speculative visuals
With the new leg of collaboration unfolding, Disney will invest $1.5 billion in equity with Epic Games alongside the multiyear project. The vision today has evolved into the exploration of a new intersection of seamless movements between game universes. Acting with a safety net and enabling secure shifting has bode the new format a goodwill that the gamers and viewers are elated to explore.
In light, Disney will make available content and its original stories in multifold formats and that will aim at delivering superlative versions and conceptions of games that will challenge the boundaries of content delivery as we know today. This collaboration will also enable the conception of a meta-physical portal to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more. To envelope the unabridged experience, interoperations with Fortnite and Unreal Engine powerplay are initiated.
While the apparent stays explored and discussed, angles of ‘alternate media tropes’ and fandoms will make stronger appearances in the new universe. Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences made a comment stating “Epic Games’ industry-leading technology and Fortnite’s open ecosystem will help us reach consumers where they can engage with Disney in ways that are most relevant to them.” Sony underwriting $2 billion with Fortnite fuelled the launch of Lego Fortnite mode, keeping at par with the competition Diney’s recent investment will secure its position in leadership, viewed from an additional angle ahead of the 2016 remodel.
“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.” says Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.
A forelook at the changes.
Words by Tanya Chaturvedi.
