Disney Eyes Epic Games Acquisition Amidst Fortnite's Decline and Internal Debate
The Disney media holding is actively acquiring many mega-popular brands and large companies. Its assets already include Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and even 21st Century Fox.
In recent years, rumors have circulated that Disney is interested in purchasing a major game publisher. According to GameSpot, citing journalist Alex Heath, some top executives at The Walt Disney Company have shown interest in the potential acquisition of Epic Games.
What is known
Epic Games is experiencing difficult times: the popularity of its once-hit game Fortnite is declining, which recently led the company to Epic Games Lays Off Over 1,000 Employees as Fortnite Fails to Maintain Past Hype, and the EGS store, even seven years after its launch, remains unprofitable.
Meanwhile, according to the media, there is no consensus within Disney: some employees believe this deal could be inherently unsuccessful. Alex Heath believes Disney's leaders are still waiting for the right moment to buy and added that if Epic ever decides to give up its independence, Disney could be its most logical partner, as their relationship has lasted for many years.
This perspective was echoed by Kevin Mayer, who previously held executive positions at Disney. In an interview with CNBC he stated that the acquisition of Epic Games or another major gaming asset could significantly strengthen the company's position. In his opinion, such an asset would organically complement Disney's ecosystem, indicating that discussion has moved beyond fan speculations and is being considered as a real strategic option.
An important role in the potential merger is played by Disney's executive Josh D'Amaro, known for his love of video games. According to media reports, he was one of the key initiators of a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games and its projects, including Fortnite. All of this points to Disney's desire to strengthen its position in the interactive entertainment industry — the only question is whether the company will choose to directly acquire Epic or focus on other opportunities.
Source: GameSpot
