Disney is weaving the virtual world of Fortnite into its real-world theme park attractions, beginning with an integration at the Smuggler's Run ride in Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This initiative stems from Disney's significant investment of over $1.5 billion in Epic Games, aimed at creating synergistic experiences between the popular video game and the company's entertainment empire.
At the Smuggler's Run attraction, guests piloting the Millennium Falcon will now find that the crates they collect during the interactive motion simulator experience unlock content within Fortnite. To access these in-game rewards, players must connect their Epic Games accounts with their MyDisney accounts.
Alongside this ride integration, Fortnite has introduced a new in-game island titled Smugglers Gambit. Set around Mersa Veta Station on the planet Ord Ryla, this island allows players to team up with friends for cooperative missions, engage in battles against pirates and Imperial remnants, discover new gear, and build their reputation in the Outer Rim. The in-game description highlights opportunities for both success and failure, noting, "And because this is Hondo we’re talking about, there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wonderfully right… or spectacularly wrong."
The integration officially launched on Sunday, August 16. One of the initial perks available to players is the Forsworn Trooper Outfit. While specific details on further planned content are scarce, Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro, a proponent of video game integration, has previously suggested future possibilities such as purchasing Disney Cruise Line tickets within Fortnite or watching Disney films in-game. Reports also indicate that Disney is developing an Arc Raiders-style game for release within Fortnite.