In February 2024, Disney invested $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, as part of a multi-year project to build a new games and entertainment universe.

An outright acquisition of Epic would be a second attempt at the same ambition, only this time with a company Disney has already paid $1.5 billion to understand.

The article's headline is wrong or misleading. Disney isn't looking at buying Epic for $1.5b, that's what they've already invested in Epic. There is no mention of a proposed acquisition price in the article.

While I don't doubt the intention to buy Epic, I doubt the main interest is because of gaming. Unreal Engine is making massive inroads into film production, see https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/forging-new-paths-for-filmmakers-on-the-mandalorian

I don't care about them buying Epic, the game developer. I do care about them buying Epic, the game store owner, and trying to do to game distribution what they helped do to streaming (fragment a unified and beloved system into a dozen enshittified walled gardens). Other megacorps have tried and failed, but Disney is greedy enough and owns enough popular IPs that they could do some serious damage to the entertainment ecosystem if they try to go exclusive.

The pattern from every previous Disney acquisition is the same. A minority stake, then deeper integration, then ownership. Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm all started as partnerships before Disney moved to close the deal entirely.

Epic looks like it is following the same path, and the only thing standing between Disney and a full acquisition is Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney, who retains full voting control over the company and has given no public indication that he is ready to sell.

We're stuck counting on Tim Sweeney's ego to save the day. What strange times we live in.

Well, the free weekly games were a good time while they lasted. Guess we should get ready for them to all be revoked.

Excellent. Disney will handle brainrot containment from this point forward.

The layoffs make more sense now. They were positioning themselves to be sold. Cutting the fat as it were.

When there’s only one corporation left can we just ignore it?

Yeah of course, let’s get Tim Sweeney of all people closer to the company that makes stuff for kids.

If I never have to hear Tim Sweeny's stupid opinions again, Disney can have it.

Disney is desperate to secure a future. They are not top dog.

It’s about the engine and sale channels not the games.

Disney is creepy.

Epic is worth a lot more than $1.5b

make Fortnite,EGS and UE and even worse then it already is?
Sure.

Bad headline, the article disagrees with itself

In February 2024, Disney invested $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, as part of a multi-year project to build a new games and entertainment universe.

Would be interesting to see what they do to EGS

Great. Here comes a Fortnite movie. And then a live action reboot.

Imagine all your favorite Disney characters in fortnite!

... so they can finish the job to drive it into the ground? I'm ok with that

I have noticed that Disney IP is added most often to that game. Disney loves Fortnite

lol, more mergers of ailing companys. thats fix things right guy?