Frontier Developments has struck a partnership with The Walt Disney Company to produce a brand‑new video game that will draw on Disney’s extensive catalogue of characters, settings and storytelling assets. Under the terms of the agreement, Frontier will assume full responsibility for funding the project, handling all aspects of development, and ultimately publishing the finished product. The company plans to lean on its deep‑rooted know‑how in the creative‑management simulation (CMS) genre—a niche it has cultivated through a series of successful releases—to shape the gameplay experience. Based in Cambridge, England, Frontier has built a reputation for delivering high‑quality simulation titles such as Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Jurassic World Evolution.
Those games have earned a dedicated fan base by allowing players to design, manage and grow intricate worlds, whether they are amusement parks, zoological reserves or prehistoric theme parks. In addition to these well‑known franchises, the studio is currently working on an undisclosed new "Planet" game that will be based on intellectual property it owns outright. "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." The announcement comes on the heels of a strong financial performance for Frontier. In its most recent fiscal year the studio posted its second‑highest revenue ever, climbing 16 percent to £104.8 million. Operating profit surged by 44 percent, reaching £19 million—surpassing the previous record of £15.9 million set in FY29. Frontier attributes this impressive growth to a deliberate "strategic focus" on creative‑management simulation titles, a segment that now generates roughly 90 percent of the company's total revenue for FY26.
Frontier’s pivot toward the CMS genre began in 2023, when the leadership team concluded that simulation games offered "stronger and more predictable returns" compared with other types of interactive entertainment. The shift was not merely a financial calculation; it also aligned with the studio’s creative ambitions.
By concentrating on a single CMS title each year, Frontier aims to allocate sufficient resources, talent and marketing muscle to ensure each release is polished, content‑rich and capable of sustaining a long‑term player base. The upcoming Disney‑themed title is expected to follow this formula.
Players will likely be given tools to design and manage their own Disney‑infused attractions—perhaps constructing iconic castles, curating character meet‑and‑greets, or orchestrating themed parades and shows. The CMS framework will enable a high degree of customization, allowing enthusiasts to experiment with park layout, guest flow, ride mechanics, and storytelling elements that reflect Disney’s legacy of imagination and wonder. Beyond the core gameplay loop, Frontier intends to nurture an active community around the game. Past CMS releases have demonstrated the value of user‑generated content, with players sharing custom scenarios, mods and design blueprints through in‑game editors and external platforms.
By leveraging Disney’s globally recognized brand, Frontier hopes to attract both longtime simulation fans and newcomers who are drawn to the magic of Disney’s worlds. From a business perspective, the partnership also serves to diversify Frontier’s portfolio while reinforcing its position as a leading developer of evergreen franchises.
The company’s strategic roadmap emphasizes "one CMS title per year" and a commitment to "long‑term, sustainable growth through high‑quality, evergreen game franchises." By aligning with Disney, Frontier not only secures a high‑profile IP that can drive sales and player engagement, but also gains access to a wealth of narrative and artistic resources that can enrich the game's depth and replayability. Industry observers have noted that the collaboration signals a broader trend of major entertainment brands seeking to extend their reach into interactive media through partnerships with specialized developers. Disney, which has historically partnered with a variety of studios for its video game adaptations, appears to be focusing on titles that offer creative control to players rather than linear, story‑driven experiences.
This aligns with the growing demand for sandbox‑style games where users can shape their own experiences within familiar universes. In summary, Frontier Developments is set to embark on a new venture that blends its proven expertise in creative‑management simulation with Disney’s timeless characters and settings. The studio will fund, build and publish the game, aiming to deliver a richly detailed, player‑driven experience that celebrates Disney’s heritage while adhering to Frontier’s proven formula for sustainable, high‑quality game development.
The announcement underscores Frontier’s continued financial momentum, its strategic dedication to the CMS genre, and its ambition to expand its portfolio with titles that resonate with both dedicated simulation enthusiasts and a broader audience attracted by Disney’s universal appeal.