Fortnite is a game. But please ask that question again in 12 months.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic)
December 26, 2019
Today, Epic Games announced that they’d be taking their first step into the metaverse through a partnership with Lego – billed as a place for kids to play in the metaverse.
This move isn’t a huge deal to most Fortnite players or observers, but it goes deeper than it seems. Epic are already positioning themselves to be a leading player in the metaverse, and Fortnite is a massive component of that.
Fortnite is, in a sense, a basic version of what the metaverse will look like. Concerts, avatars, esports, big-name crossovers. As the above tweet from Tim Sweeny outlines, Epic have been designing Fortnite to be more than a game for years.
When the time comes for metaverses to develop and land to go up for sale, Epic Games are going to be right up there with the big boys.
Epic Games
Right now, it seems like Facebook – now Meta – has a head start on everyone else. Their leader is already an android, with the means and will to sink money into the future of human communication.
Meta also owns Oculus, which is miles ahead of the VR market with no signs of slowing down.
Epic is looking to be the first major rival in Meta’s path. In their corner, they have Unreal Engine and the legions of Fortnite players that they can eventually convert to metaverse users.
Who is even on Facebook anymore? I’m 30 and even
I think it’s for boomers. Kids aren’t on Facebook, but they are playing Fortnite.
Facebook/Meta is slowly losing brand recognition as Epic Games are gaining it.
What will the Epic Games metaverse look like? I have no idea. I don’t think that many of us can conceptualize what the metaverse will become. One thing’s for sure, though. I trust Epic Games to handle the metaverse much more than I trust Meta and Zucc.
Epic Games
PS: I wrote “multiverse” about five times, here, because I’ve been watching too much Marvel.
CS2
Dota 2
LoL
Valorant
Fortnite
