Disney Expands

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MAIN QUEST: Disney makes Epic investment

Disney and Epic Games have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to create an expansive and open gaming and entertainment universe. Disney is investing $1.5 billion in Epic Games, and the collaboration aims to build a metaverse-like experience that integrates Disney IPs such as Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more into a persistent universe. The project, powered by Unreal Engine, will allow players to engage with characters, stories, and content from these franchises, creating their own experiences in a distinctly Disney way. While specific details about the project remain sparse, the partnership signals Disney's significant entry into the gaming world, emphasizing growth and expansion opportunities. The metaverse is expected to extend beyond Fortnite, offering a platform for various games and experiences within the Disney ecosystem.

This collaboration marks a continuation of Disney's previous engagements with Epic Games, known for their Fortnite integration of Disney characters. The move reflects Disney's acknowledgment of the growing importance of gaming, especially among younger demographics, with CEO Bob Iger emphasizing the need for Disney to be present in the gaming space. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney expressed excitement about building a persistent, open, and interoperable ecosystem that brings together Disney and Fortnite communities. While the exact launch date of this metaverse remains unclear, the partnership showcases Disney's strategic move to leverage Epic Games' expertise in gaming and extend its brand presence into the rapidly evolving world of interactive entertainment.

STEP BACK: Disney's investment in Epic Games aligns with the company's approach of extending brand awareness and protecting brand integrity. The collaboration is expected to create new and immersive experiences for fans while tapping into the booming gaming industry. Disney's foray into this multi-year project reflects the broader trend of major companies exploring metaverse concepts and the potential for interactive entertainment to redefine consumer engagement across various media platforms.

HUD

• 🪙 Take-Two has filed to dismiss a lawsuit against them and its subsidiary 2K Games centered around unused virtual currency in games that have been sunset. The plaintiff argues that virtual currency should be refunded or transferred after a game’s servers are taken offline, while take-two says that virtual currencies are not the player’s property.

• 👁️ In a recent financial Q&A call, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said the company does not plan to expand more on VR development following the lackluster numbers the Nexus VR version of Assassin’s Creed did.

• ⚖️ The FTC filed a letter with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit claiming that Microsoft went against its proposal to the Court that the two companies would operate independently post-merger when it laid off 1,900 employees from its games division, including Activision Blizzard employees. Microsoft responded by saying that Activision Blizzard was already planning on eliminating staff regardless of the merger.

• 📈 Humble Bundle raised $14.4 million for charities in 2023, with over $250 million raised since the company began as a digital games store in 2010.

MAJOR W

• 💰️ Kadokawa Corporation acquired developer Acquire for an unknown sum. This will bring the Octopath Traveler IP under the same parent company as FormSoftware’s Elden Ring.

• 🏆️ The Game Devlopers Choice Awards selected composer Yoko Shimomura for their Lifetime Achievement Award. She has credits spanning dozens of titles from Street Fighter II to Super Mario RPG. Additionally, Fawzi Mesmar was given the Ambassador Award for his decades long work as a game designer.

F IN THE CHAT

• 💥 Helldivers 2 was one of the top wishlisted games on Steam for Feburary release. It experienced major launch issues forcing the devleopers to scramble in an attempt to reverse its mixed reviews.

• 🤔 A developer looks back at the 2009 sudden firing of two beloved Infinity Ward studio heads as Activision told staff to “take the money and get over it.”

CAREER CORNER

• Customer Support Specialist — Stardock (Plymouth, MI)

• QA Manager — Raid Base (Remote, US)

• Lead User Acquisition Manager — Playgendary (Remote, Global)

HIVE MIND

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