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The metaverse is a term that describes a shared virtual space where people can interact, play, work, and create using digital avatars. It is often seen as the next evolution of the internet, where instead of browsing web pages, users can explore immersive 3D environments.
One of the most popular and influential examples of the metaverse is Fortnite, a game that has transcended its original genre of battle royale and become a social platform with millions of active players. Fortnite is not just a game, but a place where people can hang out, watch concerts, attend events, and express themselves.
Fortnite is also a place where people can experience some of the most beloved and iconic stories and characters from Disney, one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies. Disney owns franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and more, and has partnered with Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, to bring them to life in the game.
In February 2024, Disney announced that it was investing $1.5 billion in Epic Games and taking a minority stake in the company. The deal also included a plan to create a "games and entertainment universe" together, using Epic's Unreal Engine and MetaHuman Creator technologies. These are tools that allow developers to create realistic and expressive digital humans and worlds.
The goal of the partnership is to create a persistent, open, and interoperable ecosystem with Disney content in Fortnite, as well as other games and platforms. This means that users will be able to access and enjoy Disney's vast library of content across different devices and experiences, and also create their own content using Disney's assets and tools.
Some of the examples of what this partnership could entail are:
- More crossover events and collaborations between Fortnite and Disney's franchises, such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar. These could include new skins, items, modes, maps, and quests that feature Disney's characters and stories.
- New games and experiences that are built on Fortnite's platform, such as Lego Fortnite, a sandbox game where users can build and explore Lego versions of Disney's worlds and characters.
- New metaverse platforms and services that are powered by Epic's technologies, such as Disney Dreamlight Valley, a virtual theme park where users can visit and interact with Disney's attractions and characters
- New ways to monetize and reward users for their participation and creation in the metaverse, such as NFTs, tokens, subscriptions, and memberships.
The partnership between Epic Games and Disney is a huge step forward for the metaverse, as it brings together two of the most influential and innovative companies in the gaming and entertainment industries. It also shows the potential and value of the metaverse as a new medium for storytelling, creativity, and social interaction.
The metaverse is still in its early stages, and there are many challenges and opportunities ahead. But with Fortnite and Disney's magic, the metaverse is poised to win the hearts and minds of millions of users around the world.