Disney Aims to Expand in Video Games After Earning Billions

Consumer spending on Disney-branded video game projects surpassed $4 billion over the past fiscal year as the company increasingly treats gaming as a core pillar of its broader entertainment strategy.

The company also plans to move away from direct film adaptations. According to Sean Shoptaw, Disney’s head of games and digital experiences, the future of the company’s gaming division lies in original stories crafted specifically for the medium.

Disney already counts nine games and franchises with retail sales exceeding $1 billion, including the Kingdom Hearts series. Across mobile platforms, Disney and Pixar titles have generated more than one billion downloads since 2014.

Disney places significant expectations on Marvel Rivals, which has drawn 40 million players, 60% of whom are under the age of 24.

Disney and Epic Games are pursuing even broader initiatives. The two companies aim to build a persistent, connected universe that links games, characters, storylines, and user-generated content. For Disney, Fortnite now serves as a major social entertainment platform rather than just a standalone game.

Source: iXBT.games