Rumors suggesting The Walt Disney Company might acquire Fortnite developer Epic Games have been addressed by a Disney executive. Speaking at Bloomberg's Screentime event, Disney executive Dana Walden stated that acquisition talks are not currently happening, although she affirmed a "great partnership" between the two companies.
Disney has already invested more than $1.5 billion in Epic Games for an equity stake, and the two entities are collaborating on new gaming initiatives. Recent integrations have included Fortnite experiences within Disney's theme parks, with more planned for the coming years. Disney executive Josh D’Amaro sees significant potential in the gaming sector, and integrating further with platforms like Fortnite, potentially allowing users to book Disney cruises or watch movies, is something he supports.
This collaboration is part of Disney's broader strategy to expand its presence in gaming. The company currently boasts nine gaming franchises that have each generated over $1 billion. Disney's interest in the gaming space has also been noted by industry analysts, who suggest further investments in technology and gaming could serve as a catalyst for Disney's stock, which has underperformed over the last decade.
Despite the current partnership, the possibility of an acquisition has been fueled by speculation. Technology reporter Alex Heath mentioned on The Town podcast that some senior Disney executives are interested in acquiring Epic Games, though others within the company reportedly view it as a poor strategic move. Epic Games remains a founder-controlled company, with CEO Tim Sweeney holding ultimate decision-making power through his full voting stock control.
This is not the first time Disney has been linked to potential gaming acquisitions; in 2023, reports indicated interest in acquiring Electronic Arts, though no deal materialized. Disney's use of Epic's Unreal Engine for visual effects in productions like The Mandalorian further highlights the existing technological ties between the companies.