Frontier Developments, the Cambridge‑based creator behind hit franchises 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 characters and intellectual property. Under the agreement, Frontier will act as the sole financer, developer and publisher, applying the studio’s deep experience in the creative‑management simulation (CMS) genre to bring a fresh Disney‑themed experience to life. The announcement was made by Frontier’s chief executive officer, Jo Cooke, who expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. Cooke said the deal “reinforces our clearly defined strategy of developing and nurturing world‑class creative‑management simulation game franchises.” She added that the project aims to “connect a passionate creative community of players with one of the world’s most iconic and beloved brands,” and that she looks forward to seeing what Frontier’s talented teams will achieve with this unique opportunity.
Frontier’s track record in the CMS space is impressive. The company’s flagship titles – Planet Coaster, which lets players design and operate their own amusement parks, and Planet Zoo, a detailed animal‑park simulation – have both earned critical acclaim and cultivated dedicated fan bases.
In addition, the studio’s Jurassic World Evolution series demonstrated its ability to translate licensed properties into engaging management experiences. The new Disney‑based title will join this portfolio, promising to blend the studio’s simulation expertise with Disney’s rich narrative and visual heritage. Financially, Frontier has been on an upward trajectory. The company recently reported its second‑highest annual revenue to date, posting a 16 % increase to £104.8 million.
Operating profit climbed 44 % to £19 million, surpassing the previous record of £15.9 million set in fiscal year 2029. Frontier attributes much of this growth to its “strategic focus” on CMS games, which now generate roughly 90 % of the firm’s revenue for fiscal year 2026. The shift toward CMS titles began in 2023, when the leadership team concluded that the genre offered stronger and more predictable returns compared with other types of games.
The company’s long‑term plan revolves around a steady pipeline of high‑quality, evergreen franchises. Frontier aims to release one CMS title each year, providing ongoing content updates and expansions that keep communities engaged over the long haul.
By concentrating resources on a single genre, the studio believes it can achieve sustainable growth while maintaining the creative standards that have become its hallmark. While details about the Disney project remain under wraps, several possibilities can be inferred from the partnership’s scope.
Disney’s vast catalog includes classic animated films, modern Pixar stories, Marvel superheroes, Star Wars sagas and beloved theme‑park attractions. Any of these could serve as the thematic backbone for a management simulation, allowing players to design their own versions of iconic worlds, manage attractions, or oversee narrative‑driven experiences.
For example, a Disney‑themed park builder could let users craft a Magic Kingdom‑style resort, complete with beloved characters, themed rides and live shows, while a Marvel‑focused title might task players with coordinating a superhero headquarters, balancing missions, resources and public relations. Beyond the core gameplay, Frontier is likely to incorporate its signature attention to detail and robust modding support. Past CMS releases have featured extensive customization tools, allowing players to create custom rides, animals, habitats and even entire scenarios. Extending these tools to a Disney setting would empower the community to re‑imagine classic stories, design new attractions and share their creations across a vibrant online ecosystem.
The collaboration also aligns with Disney’s broader strategy of expanding its digital presence. Over recent years, Disney has pursued a variety of interactive ventures, from mobile games to streaming‑based experiences. Partnering with an established developer like Frontier gives Disney a proven partner capable of delivering a polished, content‑rich product that can attract both existing fans of the studio’s CMS games and the massive global audience that Disney commands.
From a market perspective, the timing appears advantageous. The simulation genre has seen a resurgence, with players seeking deeper, creative outlets that allow for personal expression and long‑term engagement. By marrying Disney’s universally recognizable brand with Frontier’s proven simulation framework, the upcoming title could capture a wide demographic, ranging from casual players drawn by familiar characters to hardcore simulation enthusiasts eager for new mechanics and challenges.
In summary, Frontier Developments is set to embark on an ambitious new venture with Disney, leveraging its expertise in creative‑management simulations to produce a game that celebrates one of the most beloved entertainment brands on the planet. The partnership promises to deliver a richly detailed, community‑driven experience that builds on Frontier’s successful formula while opening fresh avenues for storytelling and player creativity. With strong financial performance, a clear strategic focus on CMS titles, and a commitment to annual releases, Frontier appears well‑positioned to make this Disney‑themed project a flagship entry in its growing portfolio of evergreen franchises.