Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has publicly refuted claims published by The Wall Street Journal that suggested internal frustration over the company’s working relationship with Disney.
A recent report from the publication offered new details on the upcoming Disney-themed experience in Fortnite, a project initiated after Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic. The article stated the new mode would not launch until “fall 2026 at the earliest,” citing anonymous Epic executives who complained about “the slow pace of the decision-making at Disney” and the extensive sign-offs required.
In a social media post, Sweeney dismissed the allegation, labeling the anonymous quote as “BS.” He countered that the partnership’s pace has been remarkably efficient. “The speed of Disney and Epic collaborations like Darth Vader has been awesome and is around 10x the ordinary speed of media company dealings in this business,” Sweeney wrote, adding that Epic had provided a statement to this effect which the reporter chose not to publish.
The major collaboration was first announced in February 2024, though details have remained scarce. Initial concept art suggested a virtual, Disneyland-style world with hubs themed around Disney’s various brands, but the nature of the gameplay is still unknown.
According to the WSJ report, the project is being overseen at Disney by Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences. The report also highlighted potential concerns, including legal questions over the ownership of fan-created content, such as a custom dance performed by a Disney character.
Epic Games and Disney have maintained a deep partnership for years, resulting in numerous Marvel and Star Wars-themed seasons and countless character skins from across Disney’s properties, including Pixar and classic animation.
The companies recently used Fortnite to test an AI-powered Darth Vader who could hold generative conversations with players. While the feature required an urgent fix after some users prompted the character to make inappropriate statements, it was ultimately considered a success, with over 10 million players interacting with the Sith Lord.
