Sony and LEGO invest US$2 billion in Epic Games and kid-focused metaverse

Epic Games will soon be creating a kid- and family-focused metaverse, thanks in part to a massive US$2 billion investment from Sony and the company behind LEGO.

Epic announced today that both Sony and the LEGO Group will invest US$1 billion each. Once the deals close, these injections will push Epic’s valuation to US$31.5 billion.

The investment comes as part of a partnership between LEGO and Epic announced last week. Both companies will work together to “build an immersive, creatively inspiring and engaging digital experience for kids of all ages to enjoy together,” according to Epic.

Essentially, Epic and LEGO will create a child-focused metaverse, similar to other connected virtual worlds promised by many other companies. This kid-centered metaverse seems to be the first of its kind. So far, details have been sparse, but considering LEGO’s track record with children’s toys and video games and Epic’s acquisition of SuperAwesome, a group focused on creating safe and appropriate digital experiences for children under 16, it will be interesting what fruit comes from this grafting.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said that as the company “[reimagines] the future of entertainment and play, we need partners who share our vision. We have found this in our partnership with Sony and KIRKBI.” KIRKBI is a privately-owned investment company that owns LEGO.

KIRKBI CEO Soren Thorup Sorensen stated that “a proportion of our investments is focused on trends we believe will impact the future world that we and our children will live in.”

The investments are still awaiting procedural review and due diligence at the time of publication.