How Video Games Will Shape the Next Chapter of Disney Stories
With Disney Games now established as part of the Disney Entertainment division, the unit is getting ready to start a new chapter.
In the past four years, Disney’s investment in video games, which has included its acquisition of an equity stake in Epic Games, has driven an estimated $3.5 billion in annual consumer spending.
Last fiscal year, that number grew to over $4 billion.
The Vision
To lead Disney Games into its new era, the company has turned to Sean Shoptaw, EVP of Global Games and Digital Entertainment.
Photo: Disney
Reflecting on the future, Shoptaw shared his belief that games should tell their own original stories specifically designed for gamers.
The goal is not simply to retell or serve as an extension of previous content.
Photo: Electronic Arts
“The way Disney is shaping the future of interactive entertainment through games is really acknowledging that games have become a foundational part of the broader entertainment landscape,” he explained.
The Results
Shoptaw’s vision for Disney Games has already delivered results.
“We’ve built a really foundational footprint in games today,” Shoptaw said. He added that the portfolio includes “nine games that have grossed over $1 billion at retail. So, it’s about telling truly original stories that really are unique to this medium, specifically.”
As Shoptaw boasted, Disney Games Group owns nine billion-dollar franchises, including Kingdom Hearts and Marvel Strike Force.
Additionally, however, they have developed successful franchises across platforms, including Marvel Toko: Fighting Souls, and mobile games such as Disney Solitaire, Disney Tsum Tsum, and Disney Magic Kingdoms.
Meeting Fans Where They Are
As we have written about extensively, Disney’s investment in gaming comes as younger generations increasingly turn to video games instead of more traditional media.
Photo: Fortnit
“These are platforms where Gen Z [and] Gen Alpha primarily are spending a lot of their time, hanging out with their friends,” Shoptaw noted.
Marvel Rivals, for example, has accumulated 40 million players, 60% of whom are under the age of 24.
Additionally, Rivals has the largest Discord community in gaming, with more than 4.4 million members. It has also generated more than 285 million Twitch viewing hours.
The Next Chapter
Looking ahead, Disney’s partnership with Epic Games will be the bedrock of its gaming strategy.
Photo: Disney
The goal is to create a universe that blends gaming, storytelling, and creator expression.
“Our partnership with Epic is a really important one,” Shoptaw pointed out. “What Epic has built with Fortnite has really created one of the most important social entertainment platforms in the world, and certainly for us, we see a ton of opportunity to bring our great characters, stories, and worlds into that universe and build something truly unique to Disney.”
Disneyland Game Rush
As Disney boasts an unparalleled cache of characters, stories, and worlds, the company is in a unique position to give fans what they want.
“Our ambition is to create something truly transformational,” Shoptaw said. “A space that people can come play, watch, and create, and a space that we bring all of Disney together in one connected universe.”
Photo: MickeyBlog
