Frontier Developments, the Cambridge‑based studio behind hits such as Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Jurassic World Evolution, has signed a partnership with The Walt Disney Company to produce a brand‑new game that will draw on Disney’s extensive portfolio of intellectual property. Under the agreement, Frontier will act as the sole financier, developer and publisher of the project, applying the deep know‑how it has built up in the creative‑management simulation (CMS) genre to bring a fresh Disney experience to players worldwide. The collaboration was announced with a statement from Frontier’s chief executive, Jo Cooke, who said the deal underscores the company’s long‑term vision of cultivating world‑class CMS franchises.
"We are thrilled to be working hand‑in‑hand with Disney, a name that is synonymous with imagination and storytelling," Cooke explained. "Our goal is to unite a vibrant community of creators with one of the most beloved brands on the planet, and I’m eager to see the innovative experiences our talented teams will deliver through this partnership." Frontier’s track record in the CMS space is impressive. The studio’s flagship titles—Planet Coaster, which lets players design and manage their own amusement parks, and Planet Zoo, a detailed wildlife‑park simulation—have earned critical acclaim for their depth, flexibility and user‑generated content tools. Jurassic World Evolution, another CMS‑style offering, extended the formula to a dinosaur‑themed theme‑park setting and proved the company could successfully adapt its core mechanics to different IPs.
In addition to these established series, Frontier is currently developing a new, unannounced Planet‑branded game that will be built on its own original intellectual property. Financially, Frontier has been on an upward trajectory. The most recent annual results showed the company generating its second‑highest revenue ever, with a 16 % increase to £104.8 million. Operating profit surged 44 % to £19 million, surpassing the previous record of £15.9 million set in fiscal year 2029.
Management attributes this strong performance largely to its strategic emphasis on CMS games, which now represent roughly 90 % of the firm’s total revenue for fiscal year 2026. The decision to concentrate on CMS titles was formalised in 2023, when the leadership team concluded that the genre offered more reliable and scalable returns compared with other types of games. The new Disney‑based title will be the latest addition to Frontier’s plan of delivering “one CMS title per year.” This cadence is designed to give each game sufficient development time while keeping the studio’s pipeline full and its audience engaged. By focusing on evergreen franchises—games that can evolve over time through updates, expansions and community‑driven content—Frontier aims to secure long‑term, sustainable growth.
The Disney partnership fits neatly into this model, as Disney’s catalog provides a virtually limitless source of characters, settings and narratives that can be re‑imagined within a sandbox‑style simulation framework. While the exact nature of the Disney property to be featured has not yet been disclosed, the company hinted that the game will leverage the “iconic and beloved” aspects of the brand. Industry observers speculate that the project could centre on a theme‑park experience reminiscent of Disney’s real‑world resorts, or perhaps a more narrative‑driven simulation that lets players orchestrate adventures across classic Disney worlds such as the Magic Kingdom, Pixar universes, or even the Star Wars galaxy. Whatever the direction, Frontier’s proven tools for building intricate, player‑driven ecosystems are expected to enable a high degree of creative freedom, allowing fans to design attractions, storylines and environments that reflect their personal vision of Disney magic.
The partnership also signals a broader trend of major entertainment companies seeking to expand their presence in interactive media. By granting Frontier the rights to develop and publish the game, Disney can tap into the studio’s specialized expertise while retaining control over its valuable IP.
For Frontier, the deal offers a high‑profile platform to showcase its simulation engine to a global audience that may not yet be familiar with its existing titles. Looking ahead, Frontier’s roadmap suggests that the Disney collaboration will be followed by continued investment in its own IPs, with the company promising to maintain its “one CMS title per year” rhythm. The strategy is built on the belief that high‑quality, evergreen franchises not only generate steady revenue streams but also foster strong, loyal communities that contribute user‑generated content, mods and ongoing engagement.
By blending Disney’s universally recognized brand with Frontier’s robust simulation technology, the upcoming game aims to become a cornerstone of that ecosystem. In summary, Frontier Developments has secured a landmark agreement with Disney to create a new creative‑management simulation game that will draw on the entertainment giant’s rich library of characters and worlds.
Frontier will handle all aspects of financing, development and publishing, leveraging its proven CMS expertise to deliver a product that both honors Disney’s legacy and offers players deep, customizable gameplay. The announcement comes on the back of a strong financial year for Frontier, driven largely by its focus on CMS titles, and fits within a broader strategic plan to release one flagship simulation each year, supporting sustainable growth through long‑lasting, high‑quality franchises.