Frontier Developments has signed a partnership with The Walt Disney Company to produce a brand‑new video game that will draw on Disney’s extensive portfolio of characters, stories, 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‑rooted knowledge of the creative management simulation (CMS) genre to bring a fresh interactive experience to life.
The Cambridge‑based developer is best known for its highly acclaimed simulation franchises such as Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, and Jurassic World Evolution. In addition to those titles, Frontier is currently working on an undisclosed Planet game that will be built around its own original intellectual property.
The new Disney‑themed project marks the latest expansion of the company’s portfolio and underscores its commitment to delivering high‑quality, evergreen simulation experiences. "We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with Disney, which further reinforces our clearly defined strategy of developing and nurturing world‑class creative management simulation game franchises," said Jo Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Developments. "Our mission with this game is to connect a passionate creative community of players with one of the world's most iconic and beloved brands, and I can't wait to see what our talented teams will create with this amazing opportunity." Frontier’s recent financial results provide a strong backdrop for the new venture.
The company reported its second‑highest annual revenue to date, with a 16 % increase that lifted total earnings to £104.8 million. Operating profit surged 44 % to £19 million, surpassing the previous record of £15.9 million set in fiscal year 2029.
Frontier attributes this impressive growth to its strategic emphasis on CMS titles, a segment that now represents roughly 90 % of the firm’s FY26 revenue. The decision to pivot toward creative management simulations in 2023 was driven by the genre’s reputation for delivering "stronger and more predictable returns" compared with other game categories. By focusing on a model that blends deep player agency, long‑term engagement, and recurring monetisation opportunities, Frontier aims to build a stable pipeline of titles that can sustain the company’s financial health over many years. Looking ahead, Frontier has articulated a clear roadmap: the studio intends to release one flagship CMS title each year, while simultaneously nurturing its existing franchises to keep them fresh and relevant.
This approach is designed to generate "long‑term, sustainable growth through high‑quality, evergreen game franchises," a mantra that has guided recent investments in both internal IP and external partnerships such as the Disney collaboration. The upcoming Disney‑based game is expected to leverage the studio’s proven formula of giving players granular control over design, construction, and management tasks.
In previous releases like Planet Coaster, players could craft intricate amusement park rides, manage staff, and balance budgets, all while expressing their own creative vision. Applying that framework to Disney’s rich universe could allow users to build and operate their own themed lands, design attractions based on classic films, and curate experiences that reflect the magic associated with the Disney brand. While the exact setting and gameplay mechanics remain under wraps, industry analysts anticipate that Frontier will incorporate familiar Disney elements—such as iconic characters, beloved storylines, and recognizable visual motifs—into a sandbox‑style simulation that encourages both casual and hardcore players to experiment and iterate.
The studio’s history of delivering robust toolsets and mod‑friendly environments suggests that the game may also support community‑generated content, further extending its lifespan and fostering a vibrant player‑created ecosystem. From a business perspective, the partnership aligns with Disney’s broader strategy of expanding its digital entertainment footprint. By collaborating with an experienced developer that already commands a loyal fanbase in the simulation sector, Disney can ensure that its intellectual property is handled with respect and creativity, while also tapping into Frontier’s distribution channels and marketing expertise.
In summary, Frontier Developments is set to combine its seasoned CMS capabilities with Disney’s legendary storytelling assets to produce a game that promises both artistic freedom and commercial appeal. The collaboration reflects Frontier’s ongoing commitment to a focused, sustainable growth model, and it offers fans of both simulation games and Disney magic an exciting new playground to explore. The project is slated for development later this year, with further details to be revealed as the studio progresses toward a launch window that will likely target the next console generation.