Disney has been thinking about and investing in the Metaverse for longer than you might have guessed. In 2016, they funded and announced a partnership with a secretive, Orlando-based startup called Magic Leap. Little was known at the time about ML’s activities, but over time they have emerged as a leading provider of AR/VR peripherals. Magic Leap’s hardware may very well figure into Disney’s more recent activity in Metaverse-related investment (like a recent patent filed for ‘virtual worlds’). Below, we’re sharing a handful of stories that shed light on Disney’s intentions for the Metaverse.
Regardless of your take on MV’s ability to change the world or create another diversion for already distracted people, its mission to immerse more of us continues apace.
Disney in the Metaverse
On the casual entertainment front, they’ve been busy patenting IP and signaling their intentions to make Disney+ their Metaverse platform. It makes sense, as the streaming platform has already delivered staggering viewership numbers and given new life to everything from their oldest IP to Phase 4 MCU content. 100% margin stuff.
Collectibles and Experience is another front where Disney has been busy. Independently and in partnership with Hulu, the company is aggressively recruiting professionals with experience in NFT and digital content creation.
Augmented Reality is another platform where Disney’s partnership with Magic Leap will play a role. There is already speculation that this gets us closer to seeing a digital theme park offering from them in the near future. Disney Parks’ Josh D’Amaro explained his focus on AR and the Metaverse this way:
“It provides us with unending opportunities at these theme parks. It can bring Main Street alive in ways that you’ve never seen it before, never thought about it before. You can have the whole theme park participate in a game that culminates in a celebration at the hub at the top of Main Street. The possibilities are endless and I think that’s where we’re incredibly unique at the Disney company. This combination of a very forward-looking digital footprint with our legacy assets that we have in place, and making them incredibly relevant today.”
Imagine watching March Madness highlights courtside, courtesy of ESPN. Or sitting between George Harrison while he’s berated by Paul and John in an immersive version of the Get Back documentary. Or, heaven forbid, letting your kid sing along with “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” alongside the characters of Encanto. Disney hopes you will.
And it’s not just them…