Epic Disney. The entry of real world companies into the digital world is not going smoothly. A complex experiment conducted by the entertainment giant Disney on the lands of metaverse, very fashionable in 2022. But things did not go as planned. because This department dedicated to the virtual world has finally closed its doors In March last year. The failure, however, did not signal the end of the Walt Disney Company’s ambitions in this area. As proof, his participation $1.5 billion Recently acquired a gaming company Epic Games. With the aim of “a new world of transformative games and entertainment” connected to Fortnite.
Disney launched “its biggest entry into the world of video games”.
Those who estimate the sector’s viability by looking only at the price of the associated cryptocurrency think so. Metaverse is already a forgotten affair. However, multiple developments specifically related to these virtual worlds continue In the gaming industry.
An observation was bitterly noted in May 2023 by the CEO-founder of , not without a certain irony. Epic Games Company, Tim Sweeney. In fact, he pointed out at the time Announced the death of this ecosystem Still nascent. A few weeks later A notable omission from Disney After closing its dedicated section. And only 4 months ago Epic Games cuts workforce by 16%The sector faced significant investments, which were not very successful.
“Metaverse is dead!” Let’s hold an online vigil so that we, the 600,000,000 monthly active users of Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox, PUBG Mobile, Sandbox and VRChat, can mourn his passing together in real-time 3D. »
But by wanting to bury it too quickly, there is a risk of missing important developments. Because, at the beginning of the year, The Walt Disney Company “Seems determined to try its luck again with a new world of transformative games and entertainment. » A major operation was undertaken. In relation to the hit game Fortnite.
And it looks like a lot A metaverse kind of experience Who does not say his name…
A “Persistent Ecosystem” Connected to the Fortnite Game
The operation has just been made official. The Walt Disney Company announced that it had acquired A share of 1.5 billion dollars At video game company Epic Games. This is to “collaborate on a whole new universe of games and entertainment that will further expand the reach of Disney stories and experiences.”
At the center of which is Fortnite, a partnership game. Because the objective seems to be Develop a “sustainable ecosystem”. The definition of which is currently quite unclear. Except that it will “provide consumers with many opportunities to play, watch, buy and interact with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more. “A whole program!
“Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of Fortnite to bring their world together with ours, and they use the Unreal Engine across their entire portfolio. Now we’re bringing the Disney and Fortnite communities together to create something completely new, a continuous, open, interoperable ecosystem.” Collaborating to do.”
Tim Sweeney
A summit meeting that the president of the Disney Experience, Josh D’Amaro, does not fail to welcome. Because according to him this should be allowed To give your business a fresh start “In a way we’ve only dreamed of before. » Could this be a reference to Disney’s canceled Metaverse division?
Now the question to watch is What form will this “sustainable ecosystem” actually take? From Disney to the world of the Fortnite game. But there is no doubt that the merger of these two companies holds promise Important developments related to the virtual universe. To see if this can really be associated with More specific dynamics of the metaverse.
