Frontier Developments, the Cambridge‑based developer behind acclaimed series 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 built around 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, drawing on its deep experience in the creative management simulation (CMS) genre to bring the Disney universe to life in a fresh, interactive format. The announcement marks a significant milestone for both parties. For Disney, it opens a pathway to extend its beloved characters and worlds into a genre that emphasizes player creativity, strategic planning and long‑term engagement.
For Frontier, the collaboration aligns perfectly with the company’s strategic roadmap, which has been centered on cultivating high‑quality, evergreen franchises within the CMS space. "We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Disney," said Jo Cooke, CEO of Frontier Developments.
"It reinforces our clearly defined strategy of developing and nurturing world‑class creative management simulation game franchises. Our aim with this title is to bring together a passionate community of creators and one of the most iconic and cherished brands on the planet, and I can’t wait to see what our talented teams will achieve with this extraordinary opportunity." Frontier’s recent financial performance underscores why the studio feels confident in taking on such an ambitious undertaking. In its most recent fiscal year, the company 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 firm attributes this robust growth to its "strategic focus" on CMS titles, which now represent roughly 90 percent of its FY26 revenue stream. The decision to pivot toward CMS games was formally announced in 2023, after senior leadership concluded that the genre delivered "stronger and more predictable returns" compared with other segments of the market. Since then, Frontier has committed to a disciplined development cadence, targeting the release of one flagship CMS title each year. This approach is designed to foster long‑term, sustainable growth by building a portfolio of high‑quality, evergreen franchises that retain player interest over many years.
The upcoming Disney‑themed project will be the latest addition to Frontier’s growing slate of CMS experiences. While details about the specific Disney IPs that will be featured remain under wraps, the studio has hinted that the game will enable players to design, manage and expand their own Disney‑inspired attractions, parks, or narrative experiences. By leveraging the familiar characters, storylines and visual style that Disney fans cherish, Frontier hopes to attract both existing fans of its CMS titles and a broader audience drawn by the allure of Disney’s brand. In parallel with the Disney collaboration, Frontier continues to work on an unannounced original Planet game based on its own intellectual property.
This dual‑track development strategy reflects the company’s ambition to diversify its portfolio while maintaining a strong focus on the core CMS competency that has driven its recent success. Industry observers note that the partnership could set a precedent for future collaborations between major entertainment conglomerates and specialist game developers. By entrusting the creative and technical execution to a studio with a proven track record in simulation and management games, Disney can ensure that the final product meets the high standards expected by its fan base while also exploring new revenue streams in the interactive entertainment space.
Looking ahead, Frontier plans to allocate significant resources to the Disney project, including dedicated development teams, marketing budgets, and post‑launch support. The company’s long‑term vision is to nurture the title into a living service that receives regular content updates, seasonal events and community‑driven enhancements, mirroring the successful models employed by its existing franchises. Overall, the alliance between Frontier Developments and Disney represents a convergence of two creative powerhouses, each bringing complementary strengths to the table. Frontier’s expertise in crafting deep, player‑centric simulation experiences combined with Disney’s timeless storytelling and iconic characters promises to deliver a game that not only entertains but also empowers players to express their own creativity within a beloved universe.
The industry will be watching closely as development progresses, anticipating a launch that could redefine expectations for licensed games in the creative management simulation genre.