Disney and Epic Games Unite Millennium Falcon Ride with Fortnite
Disney and Epic Games have been working on connecting their experiences for over two years. The goal is to create a 'persistent, open, and interoperable' universe where stories continue across platforms.
The first step in this effort is the new Star Wars game, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which combines the ride at Disney World and Disneyland with a Fortnite island called Smugglers Gambit. The game allows players to carry over progress from the park to the game, setting up the potential for seamless connections between physical attractions and digital experiences.
According to Julia Humphreys, VP of Production at Disney Digital Entertainment, 'a story doesn't have to end when you leave the park'.
The connection between the ride and the game is facilitated by Unreal Engine, which powers both the ride's real-time scoring system and the Fortnite experience. This shared foundation has enabled the teams to create a cohesive and immersive experience that blurs the line between physical and digital attractions.