Disney is reportedly keen on acquiring Fortnite developer Epic Games. Veteran tech reporter Alex Heath revealed on a recent podcast that Disney’s higher-ups are waiting for the right opportunity to make a bid for Epic Games. This comes after the multimedia giant made a whopping $1.5 billion investment in the gaming company for a minority stake of an undisclosed percentage.
New report suggests Disney is interested in buying Epic Games
Disney reportedly wants to purchase Fortnite creator Epic Games. Alex Heath, an experienced tech reporter, discussed this matter on The Town with Matt Belloni podcast. Fortnite is Epic Games’ biggest USP and is a fan favorite. However, the past year hasn’t been good for Epic Games, which reportedly led to them laying off 1,000 employees due to Fortnite’s underwhelming performance.
Disney boasts an amazing roster of playable characters, ranging from their animated characters to Marvel and Star Wars. There’s also a special Disney mode where players can play, watch, create, and shop in a Disney-themed space. It is expected to come soon.
It is a deal waiting to happen, and Disney is keen on bringing it to fruition. According to Heath, “I know for a fact there are senior executives in Disney who want them to buy Epic and are just waiting for that moment. If Epic ever sold, if it ever decided to call it quits on being an independent company, Disney would be the most natural home for it for a lot of reasons.”
If the deal happens, Heath predicts that the Disney mode on Fortnite would become a fan favorite. According to concept art, it looks like a virtual Disneyland with different themed areas. Even though the team has been working on it for two years, there is no word on its official release. (via IGN).
Josh D’Amaro, the newly appointed CEO of Disney, is strongly backing the company’s investment in Epic Games. He believes it will be a turning point for Disney going forward and attract a game-savvy consumer base. In fact, former Disney executive Kevin Mayer confessed he expected D’Amaro to make “bold steps” this year. He told CNBC, “I think Epic or some other video game asset would be a great addition to The Walt Disney Company’s asset base.”
