Back in February, Disney surprised everyone with a huge investment of $1.5 billion into Epic Games, kicking off a big collaboration to create what they called “a new persistent universe.” At first, they were pretty tight-lipped about what that actually meant. But thanks to a recent interview with The Verge, we’re finally getting a clearer picture.

Disney is already deeply woven into the fabric of Fortnite. Just last Saturday, an impressive 5.6 million players logged in at the same time to take on a colossal Doctor Doom—an event that followed weeks of Marvel-themed teasers and build-up. And just before that, we saw the addition of character skins from Pixar’s The Incredibles, alongside cosmetics for iconic Marvel heroes like Deadpool and Wolverine. Let’s not forget all the Star Wars characters and storylines that have made their way into the game over the years. Disney’s influence in Fortnite is undeniable, and it seems they’re ready to take things to the next level.

So, what exactly are Disney and Epic cooking up? According to Saxs Persson, Epic’s executive vice president, this new project is about creating an integrated experience where all things Disney can live together in one space. “Disney wants a persistent place where all things Disney can coexist, but they want to be part of an ecosystem we’ve built,” Persson told The Verge. Essentially, you’ll be able to explore Disney-themed areas through Fortnite or find your way in through other channels—all of it will be connected in one big system.

Persson went on to say, “We see the power of ecosystems interoperating as being really the magic here. From a player perspective, the ideal is to effortlessly move between a Fortnite experience, a Disney experience, or any other experience.” In other words, the goal is to make it super easy to move between different games and platforms while keeping your character, items, and whatever else you’ve collected. So, if you’ve got Disney skins in Fortnite, you might be able to use them in other games like Lego Fortnite or even Rocket League. But it won’t be a free-for-all—there will definitely be some rules.

“Not every outfit will be able to do everything,” Persson said. “A minifigure doesn’t hold a gun… Some IPs are not teen or mature IPs—they are E for everyone.” In other words, Disney is making sure their family-friendly characters don’t end up doing anything out of character, like running around with sniper rifles. So, if you were hoping to see Donald Duck take down Mickey Mouse in an all-out SMG showdown, you’re out of luck (at least for now).

So, what can we expect from Disney’s new “persistent space”? They’re still keeping the details under wraps, but it sounds like they’re aiming for something similar to Disney Dreamlight Valley—except with a bigger emphasis on multiplayer and social features. You’ll be able to bring all your Disney-themed items from Fortnite, minus the weapons, into this new universe, and join in on a whole range of multiplayer events and activities. It’s shaping up to be one big festival of Disney nostalgia, but with a twist.

This move is more than just a smart crossover—it’s part of a bigger trend in the gaming world. The idea of interconnected virtual worlds, or the “metaverse,” is picking up steam, and this collaboration looks like a step toward that vision. Disney and Epic want to create a space where you can carry your digital identity—your skins, collectibles, achievements—across different platforms and experiences. Imagine logging into Fortnite for a battle royale match, then switching over to a Disney-themed exploration zone, all without ever leaving the same virtual universe. The possibilities are pretty exciting.

On Disney’s side, this is also a smart strategy for getting even closer to younger audiences who are all about immersive experiences. Epic Games, with their expertise in Unreal Engine and the way they’ve pulled off amazing virtual events—like those Fortnite concerts with huge artists—are the perfect partner to make this happen. If they pull it off, Fortnite could evolve from just a game into the launchpad for a massive Disney experience that goes beyond anything we’ve seen before.

In the end, Disney and Epic’s partnership could reshape how we think about gaming and entertainment. The goal is to create a cross-platform experience where you can jump between different worlds seamlessly, interacting with your favorite characters, discovering new adventures, and celebrating everything you love—all in one evolving and interconnected virtual playground.