Frontier Developments has signed a partnership with Disney to produce a brand‑new video game that will draw upon Disney's extensive catalogue of characters and intellectual property. Under the terms of the agreement, Frontier will act as the sole financier, developer, and publisher of the project, applying the studio’s deep experience in the creative management simulation (CMS) genre to bring the Disney universe to life in an interactive format. The Cambridge‑based developer is best known for its flagship series such as Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Jurassic World Evolution, all of which have cemented its reputation for delivering polished, detail‑rich management sims that blend strategic depth with a strong sense of creativity.
In addition to these well‑established franchises, Frontier is currently working on an as‑yet‑unnamed Planet title that will be built around its own original intellectual property, further expanding its portfolio of simulation experiences. "We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with Disney, which perfectly aligns with our clearly articulated strategy of building and nurturing world‑class creative management simulation franchises," said Jo Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Developments. "Our goal with this new game is to bring together a passionate community of creators and players with one of the most iconic and beloved brands on the planet. I am eager to see what our talented teams will achieve with this extraordinary opportunity." The announcement comes on the heels of Frontier’s most successful financial year to date.
The company reported its second‑highest annual revenue on record, with sales climbing 16 % to £104.8 million. Operating profit also surged, rising 44 % to £19 million and surpassing the previous peak of £15.9 million recorded in fiscal year 2029.
Frontier attributes this impressive performance largely to its strategic emphasis on CMS titles, a segment that now accounts for roughly 90 % of the firm’s total revenue for fiscal year 2026. Frontier’s shift toward creative management simulations began in 2023, a move driven by the genre’s ability to deliver more reliable and higher‑margin returns compared with other game categories. The company’s long‑term roadmap outlines a commitment to releasing one major CMS title each year, a cadence that it believes will foster sustainable growth and allow it to invest continuously in high‑quality, evergreen franchises that retain player engagement over many years. The upcoming Disney‑based game is expected to follow this model.
By leveraging Disney’s vast library of stories, characters, and worlds, Frontier aims to create a sandbox‑style experience where players can design, manage, and share their own themed attractions, parks, or narrative adventures. While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, the studio has hinted that the title will blend the creative freedom found in Planet Coaster with the narrative richness associated with Disney’s properties, potentially offering tools for players to craft custom rides, stage performances, and even manage guest experiences in a way that feels both familiar to existing fans of Frontier’s CMS titles and fresh for newcomers attracted by the Disney brand.
Industry analysts have noted that this partnership could signal a broader trend of major entertainment conglomerates seeking to extend their IPs into the interactive space through collaborations with specialist developers. By entrusting the development to a studio that has demonstrated consistent success in the niche of creative management simulations, Disney can mitigate risk while ensuring that the final product meets high standards of quality and player satisfaction. From a market perspective, the combination of Frontier’s proven development pipeline and Disney’s global brand recognition positions the game to capture a wide audience across multiple demographics.
Families, casual gamers, and dedicated simulation enthusiasts are all likely to find appeal in a product that offers both the imaginative play associated with Disney and the strategic depth that Frontier’s fans have come to expect. Looking ahead, Frontier has indicated that the Disney collaboration is part of a broader ambition to expand its portfolio of licensed titles while continuing to invest in original IP. The studio’s leadership believes that a diversified approach—balancing beloved external brands with internally created franchises—will enable it to sustain growth, attract new talent, and maintain its reputation as a leader in the creative management simulation space.
In summary, Frontier Developments’ new partnership with Disney marks a significant milestone for both companies. Frontier will finance, develop, and publish the game, drawing on its extensive experience in CMS games to deliver a fresh, immersive experience that celebrates Disney’s iconic characters and stories. The financial results from the previous fiscal year underscore the effectiveness of Frontier’s strategic focus on CMS titles, and the company’s commitment to releasing a flagship CMS game each year suggests that the Disney project will be a cornerstone of its future roadmap. Fans of Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Jurassic World Evolution, and newcomers alike can anticipate a richly detailed, creatively empowering game that blends the magic of Disney with Frontier’s signature gameplay depth.