Frontier Developments has secured a partnership with The Walt Disney Company to produce a brand‑new video game that will draw on Disney’s extensive catalogue of characters and stories. Under the terms of the agreement, Frontier will act as the sole financer, developer and publisher of the project, applying the studio’s deep‑rooted know‑how in the creative‑management simulation (CMS) genre to bring a fresh Disney experience to players worldwide. The Cambridge‑based developer is best known for its award‑winning simulation franchises such as Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Jurassic World Evolution. Those titles have established Frontier as a leader in games that let players design, build and manage elaborate attractions, habitats or theme‑park‑style environments.
In addition to the announced Disney collaboration, the company is also working on an as‑yet‑unnamed "Planet" game that will be built around its own intellectual property, further expanding its portfolio of sandbox‑style experiences. "We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Disney, which perfectly aligns with our clearly articulated strategy of cultivating world‑class creative‑management simulation franchises," said Jo Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Developments.
"Our aim with this new title is to bring together a vibrant community of creators and a universally beloved brand, and I am eager to see the innovative experiences our talented teams will deliver using this extraordinary license." The collaboration arrives at a moment of strong financial performance for Frontier. The company recently disclosed its second‑highest annual revenue to date, reporting a 16 percent increase to £104.8 million for the fiscal year. Operating profit surged 44 percent to £19 million, surpassing the previous record of £15.9 million set in FY29. Frontier attributes this robust growth to its focused emphasis on CMS titles, which now generate roughly 90 percent of the firm’s total revenue.
Frontier’s pivot toward the CMS segment began in 2023, when the leadership team concluded that simulation games offered "stronger and more predictable returns" compared with other genres. The studio’s long‑term roadmap calls for the release of one flagship CMS title each year, a cadence that it believes will sustain steady, evergreen revenue streams while allowing ample time for each game to mature, receive post‑launch content updates and foster a dedicated player base.
The upcoming Disney‑themed game is expected to follow this model. By leveraging Disney’s globally recognised characters, settings and storytelling heritage, Frontier hopes to attract both longtime fans of its simulation engines and newcomers drawn by the Disney name. The game will likely incorporate familiar Disney motifs—such as iconic castles, beloved animated heroes, and magical realms—within a sandbox framework that lets players design their own attractions, manage staff, and craft narratives that reflect the whimsical spirit of Disney. Industry observers note that Disney has been expanding its presence in the interactive entertainment market, partnering with a range of developers to create experiences that span mobile, console and emerging platforms.
Frontier’s expertise in delivering deep, systems‑driven gameplay could complement Disney’s desire to offer more than passive media consumption, giving players agency to shape their own Disney worlds. From a business perspective, the partnership also provides Frontier with a valuable diversification of its IP portfolio. While the Planet series and Jurassic World Evolution continue to perform strongly, adding a Disney‑licensed title diversifies revenue sources and reduces reliance on any single franchise. This aligns with Frontier’s stated objective of "long‑term, sustainable growth through high‑quality, evergreen game franchises." The development timeline has not been disclosed, but Frontier’s typical production cycle for a major CMS release spans 18‑24 months, suggesting that the Disney title could launch sometime in 2025 or 2026, depending on the scope of the project and the depth of integration with Disney’s brand guidelines.
The studio has emphasized its commitment to maintaining the high production values and meticulous attention to detail that fans have come to expect from both Frontier and Disney. In addition to core gameplay, Frontier plans to support the new title with regular content updates, seasonal events and community‑driven challenges. This post‑launch strategy mirrors the live‑service approach used for Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo, where new rides, animals, and decorative items are released over time to keep the experience fresh and encourage ongoing player engagement.
Overall, the announcement signals a convergence of two industry powerhouses: Frontier’s technical mastery of simulation mechanics and Disney’s unparalleled storytelling legacy. If executed successfully, the collaboration could set a new benchmark for how licensed properties are integrated into sandbox‑style games, offering players a uniquely immersive way to interact with the magic of Disney while exercising their own creative vision. Frontier’s shareholders appear optimistic about the venture, as the company’s recent financial results demonstrate that its CMS‑centric strategy is delivering tangible returns. By continuing to deliver one high‑quality CMS title each year and now adding a marquee Disney property to its lineup, Frontier aims to solidify its position as a leading developer of evergreen, player‑driven experiences for the foreseeable future.