While the video game industry has become one of the fastest-growing areas of the entertainment industry in recent years, major media companies have also started taking more aggressive steps to strengthen their presence in this field. The prominence of projects that combine content creation with interactive experiences has transformed game studios from mere software developers into massive entertainment platforms. At the heart of this transformation is Epic Games, which created a multi-billion dollar ecosystem with its developed Fortnite. It appears that this success continues to whet the appetite of entertainment giants. Indeed, recent claims suggest that there are individuals within Disney who are seriously considering the possibility of acquiring Epic Games.
Former Disney Executive Kevin Mayer: Disney Should Acquire Epic Games
At the center of these claims is Kevin Mayer, one of the key figures behind Disney's major acquisitions in the past. In a broadcast he attended, Mayer explicitly stated that Disney's next big move should be to acquire a gaming company like Epic Games. Mayer's views on this matter are not just ordinary comments; he was previously one of the key figures actively involved in multi-billion dollar acquisitions such as Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Star Wars, and 21st Century Fox. Therefore, Mayer's statement regarding Epic Games stands out as a closely watched recommendation in the industry.
Tech Reporter Alex Heath: Some Executives Within Disney Want to Acquire Epic Games
Moreover, Mayer is not alone in this view. Tech reporter Alex Heath stated in a podcast this week that he "definitely knows" that some high-level executives within Disney want to acquire Epic Games. However, it is also noted that there is a significant segment within the company that opposes this idea. This situation indicates a divergence of opinion within Disney regarding how the company should approach the gaming sector.
The timing makes these claims even more noteworthy. Epic Games recently underwent a significant downsizing, laying off over 1000 employees. Company CEO Tim Sweeney explicitly stated that the reason behind this decision was that revenues were not covering expenses. The recent decline in Fortnite's player count, in particular, has put pressure on the company's revenue. According to shared data, the average monthly playtime per player on the PlayStation platform has decreased from 21 hours to 16 hours within a year.
This situation appears to have directly impacted Epic Games' valuation. Disney invested $1.5 billion in the company in 2024, acquiring approximately a 7% stake, and at that time, Epic's value was set at $22.5 billion. It is believed that a different valuation might be applied in a potential acquisition today.
Fortnite is not the only reason Epic Games is attractive to Disney. The company's Unreal Engine is used today not only in the gaming industry but also in a wide range of fields, from film productions to theme park experiences. Indeed, Unreal Engine is known to be actively used in more than 15 of Disney's theme park projects. Furthermore, the preference for this engine in game projects featuring Disney brands indicates that there is already a technical connection between the two companies.
Tim Sweeney Wants Epic Games to Remain Independent
However, there are significant obstacles to this potential acquisition. Chief among them is Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney. Although he owns approximately 41% of the company, Tim Sweeney, who holds the majority of voting rights, is known to advocate for Epic's independence. This makes a potential sale almost impossible without his approval. Additionally, the fact that Chinese tech giant Tencent holds approximately a 40% stake in the company could lead to serious regulatory processes in the US for such an acquisition.
The developments and statements made in the last week indicate that Disney's major move into the gaming world is no longer just a possibility, but almost an expectation.
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