Epic and Disney Team Up to Build “Persistent World” Linked with Fortnite
Epic Games and Disney are connected to Fortnite, allowing players to move seamlessly between Disney content and Fortnite experiences, Epic executive vice president Saxs Persson told . While emphasizing the importance of “interoperability,” Persson noted that brands will maintain distinct boundaries—“A [Lego] minifig doesn’t hold a gun”—to align with their identities and audience expectations. Despite these limits, Persson described the collaboration as an ambitious, “all-in” effort from both companies, aiming to create a digital ecosystem that brings Disney’s vast universe into a unified, interactive space for fans.
IEM Rio 2024 Sees Boost in Counter-Strike 2 Viewership
IEM Rio 2024, a Brazil-based Counter-Strike 2 tournament, saw a significant rise in viewership, peaking at 709,317—around 150,000 more than the 2023 edition, . The event averaged 289,111 viewers over nearly 50 hours of broadcast, up by 40,000 from last year’s tournament, which was held in April. Ukrainian team Natus Vincere (NAVI) secured the title by defeating German team MOUZ in a best-of-five Grand Final, with both teams dominating viewership—NAVI totaling 5.8 million hours watched and MOUZ 5.6 million. Brazilian team FURIA ranked third with 2.4 million hours watched.
PGL Confirms Return of Wallachia Dota 2 Tournament in 2025
PGL has the return of its Wallachia Dota 2 tournament series in 2025, following the success of its inaugural events in May and October 2024. The series will feature three seasons, with tournaments scheduled for March, April, and November, and qualifiers taking place in January, February, and September. Each event will host 16 teams—10 invited and six from qualifiers—competing for a $1 million prize pool. PGL will provide $450,000 in hospitality support per event, covering flights, four-star accommodations, meals, and practice facilities for eight team members, ensuring top-tier conditions for participants throughout the competition.
Xbox Game Studios Head Alan Hartman to Retire, Rare’s Craig Duncan Named Successor
Alan Hartman, head of Xbox Game Studios, , with Rare’s Craig Duncan taking over the role. Hartman, who joined Microsoft in 1988, is best known for leading Turn 10 Studios and building the Forza franchise into a global racing powerhouse. Duncan, who has guided Rare for nearly 14 years and oversaw the success of Sea of Thieves with over 40 million players, will now manage key Xbox teams, including Playground Games, Obsidian, and Halo Studios. Reporting to Matt Booty, Duncan’s focus will be on delivering high-quality games and developing new franchises for Xbox.
