Frontier Developments, the Cambridge‑based creator behind hits such as Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Jurassic World Evolution, has secured a partnership with The Walt Disney Company to produce a brand‑new video game that will draw on Disney’s extensive portfolio of intellectual property. Under the terms of the agreement, Frontier will act as the sole financer, developer and publisher of the project, applying the studio’s deep experience in the creative‑management simulation (CMS) genre to bring a fresh, interactive Disney experience to life. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for both parties. For Frontier, it is a direct extension of the company’s strategic focus on building world‑class CMS franchises that combine deep, sandbox‑style creativity with accessible, long‑term player engagement.
For Disney, it offers a chance to translate some of its most beloved characters, stories and settings into a simulation format that encourages players to design, manage and share their own imaginative creations. "We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Disney, which further reinforces our clearly defined strategy of developing and nurturing world‑class creative‑management simulation game franchises," said Jo Cooke, CEO of Frontier Developments.
Cooke added that the studio’s aim is to "connect a passionate creative community of players with one of the world’s most iconic and beloved brands," and expressed confidence that the company’s talented teams will deliver an experience that lives up to the high expectations associated with both the Frontier and Disney names. The new title will be built from the ground up using Frontier’s proprietary technology stack, which has proven its robustness across previous CMS releases. By handling both development and publishing internally, Frontier retains full creative control while also ensuring that revenue streams flow directly back to the studio, supporting its long‑term growth model.
The company’s recent financial performance underscores the viability of this approach: in its most recent fiscal year, Frontier reported its second‑highest annual revenue on record, climbing 16 % to £104.8 million. Operating profit surged 44 % to £19 million, surpassing the previous peak of £15.9 million recorded in FY29.
Frontier attributes this strong performance to its "strategic focus" on CMS games, a segment that now represents roughly 90 % of the company’s FY26 revenue. The shift toward CMS titles, announced in 2023, was driven by the genre’s reputation for delivering "stronger and more predictable returns" compared with other types of games.
By concentrating resources on a single, high‑quality CMS release each year, Frontier aims to cultivate evergreen franchises that can generate sustained engagement and recurring revenue through expansions, downloadable content and community‑driven marketplaces. The Disney partnership fits neatly into this roadmap.
While the exact Disney property that will serve as the game’s foundation has not been disclosed, the studio’s history suggests a focus on worlds that lend themselves to building and management mechanics—think theme parks, resorts, or fantastical realms where players can design attractions, manage staff, and curate guest experiences. Such a framework aligns perfectly with Frontier’s proven formula: provide players with powerful creative tools, a robust simulation engine, and a supportive online community where creations can be shared, rated and iterated upon.
In addition to the core gameplay loop, Frontier plans to integrate a suite of social features that encourage collaboration and competition among players. These may include co‑op building projects, leaderboards for the most popular attractions, and seasonal events tied to Disney’s calendar of releases. By leveraging Disney’s extensive library of characters and settings, the game could also offer exclusive cosmetic items, story‑driven challenges, and cross‑promotional content that deepens the connection between the virtual and the physical Disney experiences.
From a business perspective, the deal represents a low‑risk, high‑reward opportunity. Frontier’s expertise in delivering polished, content‑rich simulations reduces development uncertainty, while Disney’s brand equity guarantees a built‑in audience eager for new interactive experiences. The partnership also opens doors for future collaborations, potentially expanding into other Disney franchises or even broader transmedia projects that blend gaming with theme‑park attractions, streaming content, and merchandise.
Looking ahead, Frontier has signaled its intention to continue releasing one flagship CMS title per year, each supported by a pipeline of post‑launch updates and expansions. The Disney‑based game will be the centerpiece of this strategy for the upcoming year, serving both as a showcase of the studio’s technical capabilities and as a testbed for new monetisation models that prioritize player satisfaction and long‑term retention.
In summary, Frontier Developments’ new agreement with Disney positions the studio to deliver a unique, high‑quality simulation experience that blends the creative freedom of its CMS pedigree with the timeless appeal of Disney’s storytelling. With strong financial fundamentals, a clear growth strategy, and a partnership that taps into one of the world’s most recognizable brands, Frontier is poised to further cement its reputation as a leader in the creative‑management simulation space while offering fans a fresh way to interact with the magic of Disney.