Frontier Developments, the Cambridge‑based creator behind acclaimed series such as Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Jurassic World Evolution, has officially signed 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 financier, developer and publisher of the project, applying the studio’s deep‑rooted knowledge of creative‑management simulation (CMS) games to bring a fresh Disney experience to players worldwide. The announcement marks a significant milestone for both parties. For Disney, it represents a strategic extension of its beloved characters and worlds into a genre that encourages players to design, build and manage their own virtual environments—an arena where Frontier has already proven its mettle.
For Frontier, the collaboration dovetails perfectly with its long‑standing ambition to cultivate a suite of high‑quality, evergreen CMS franchises that can sustain long‑term growth and deliver reliable financial returns. "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. Cooke added that the partnership aligns with the studio’s mission to unite a passionate community of creators with one of the most iconic and beloved brands on the planet.
"Our goal with this game is to connect a dedicated creative community of players with Disney’s legendary properties, and I can’t wait to see what our talented teams will produce with this extraordinary opportunity." While the specific Disney IP that will anchor the new title has not yet been disclosed, industry observers anticipate that the game could feature classic characters from Disney’s animated canon, beloved settings from Pixar films, or even elements from the Marvel and Star Wars universes, all reimagined through Frontier’s signature simulation lens. The studio’s previous CMS successes—where players design intricate amusement parks, manage zoological collections, or oversee a dinosaur theme park—demonstrate its ability to blend deep strategic gameplay with accessible, visually appealing experiences. Applying that formula to Disney’s rich storytelling heritage promises a product that will appeal to both hardcore simulation enthusiasts and casual fans of Disney alike.
Frontier’s recent financial performance underscores why the company is well‑positioned to take on such an ambitious undertaking. In its latest fiscal year, the studio reported its second‑highest annual revenue on record, climbing 16 percent to £104.8 million. Operating profit surged 44 percent to £19 million, surpassing the previous peak of £15.9 million recorded in FY29.
The company attributes this robust growth to a deliberate "strategic focus" on CMS titles, which now represent roughly 90 percent of its FY26 revenue stream. The shift toward CMS games began in earnest in 2023, when Frontier’s leadership announced a pivot away from more volatile development models toward genres that deliver "stronger and more predictable returns." This strategic realignment was guided by the belief that simulation games, with their long‑term player engagement and opportunities for continual content updates, provide a steadier revenue base than many other types of releases. To reinforce this direction, Frontier has adopted a development cadence that targets the launch of at least one major CMS title each year, complemented by ongoing support and expansions that keep each franchise fresh and financially viable over many years. In addition to the Disney collaboration, Frontier is simultaneously working on an as‑yet‑unnamed Planet franchise built around its own original intellectual property.
This parallel development effort illustrates the studio’s confidence in its ability to juggle multiple high‑profile projects while maintaining the quality standards that have become its hallmark. By diversifying its portfolio—balancing Disney‑licensed content with proprietary creations—Frontier aims to mitigate risk and capture a broader audience. Looking ahead, the company envisions the Disney‑based CMS game as a flagship entry that will set new benchmarks for creativity, immersion, and community involvement. The game is expected to feature robust building tools, extensive customization options, and social features that allow players to share their creations, compete in challenges, and collaborate on large‑scale projects.
Moreover, Frontier plans to leverage Disney’s extensive library of music, voice talent, and visual assets to ensure an authentic and enchanting experience that feels true to the source material. The partnership also opens doors for future collaborations. Should the Disney title prove successful, it could pave the way for additional Disney‑themed simulations, perhaps exploring different genres or expanding into multiplayer online experiences.
For Frontier, each successful launch reinforces its strategic mantra of delivering "one CMS title per year" while fostering "long‑term, sustainable growth through high‑quality, evergreen game franchises." In summary, Frontier Developments’ agreement with Disney represents a convergence of two creative powerhouses: a studio renowned for its sophisticated simulation engines and a media giant with a treasure trove of beloved characters and stories. By financing, developing, and publishing the game internally, Frontier retains full creative control and stands to reap the full financial upside of a title that could become a cornerstone of its CMS portfolio.
The announcement not only highlights Frontier’s confidence in its strategic direction but also signals to the broader gaming community that the future of simulation gaming will continue to be shaped by bold collaborations and a commitment to delivering enduring, player‑focused experiences.