Fortnite is more than just a viral dance, it’s a video game that is now educating.
Fortnite is now one the biggest games in the world with over 350 million registered players. Fortnite’s latest expansion is the Party Royale, a relaxed space where people are given the opportunity to hang out with friends, watch concerts and engage in activities. Its quest was to build a metaverse-style social network in the 3D world.
Players expecting to participate in Fortnite’s Party Royale were shown an anti-racism presentation in the morning of July 4th, a federal holiday in the United States. Having recently delaying its third season due to the Black Lives Matter protests as well as the removal of all police vehicles in the game, Epic Games’ new initiative “We The People” is an extension of the game’s efforts to promote educational learning about diversity and racism.
The 45 minute panel, hosted by CNN’s Van Jones, discussed the issue of racism in America and police brutality. Prominent BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) voices in industries ranging from business to sports to entertainment figures participated. Speakers included Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth, journalist Jemele Hill, rapper Killer Mike and hip hop musician Lil Baby. Viewers were also given tools and strategies to start conversations about these matters. The panel aired repeatedly at the beginning every hour for the next 24 hours.
“We The People” is presented by Opus United, a high-performing collective of members who aim to take a stand against racial injustice and anti-Black prejudice in America.
Whilst some expressed support for the panel;
The video game Fortnite is doing more to raise awareness for #BLM and root out systemic racism than the president of the United States.https://t.co/V7lbhdyzE1
— thurston owlsby (@ThurstonOwlsby) July 6, 2020
Some were not impressed by the panel, stating it to be a propaganda effort.
Literally every person on the panel largely supports the organization "Black Lives Matter", this is less panel on racism, and more a propaganda effort.
Black Lives Matter doesn't care about black people, and Fortnite is only doing this to improve their quarterly earnings report.
— Nikabrik the Bored (@Bored_Nikabrik) July 3, 2020
Historically, large video game corporations such as Epic have rarely voiced their position regarding topics that are considered controversial or political in fear of backlash from users. In today’s largely digitised and connected society however, it is important for people to be informed of the social issues which are deeply rooted, yet ignored, within our society. Fornite has used their huge platform as a vehicle to advocate for social change through informing users and generating public discussion.
However, it is noteworthy to consider where Fortnite the platform itself stands.
Fortnite’s emotes, an integral part of the game, have been the start of many viral dances. 2018 saw the trend in the Fortnite Dance, that was done by many kids and celebrities. Whilst the dances took the world by storm, they also angered the creators of these particular dances, who were not credited.
African American rapper Terrence “2 Milly” Ferguson took legal action in at the end of 2018, claiming Epic of monetising his “Milly Rock” dance move. However, complications arose in attempt to copyright the choreography. Epic ultimately responded with the wish to have the lawsuit dismissed. It is in situations like these that blur the lines of Fortnite’s stance in tackling systemic racism.
Above all, Fortnite’s “We The People” is worth commending as a leap in the right direction. However, ongoing movements like Black Lives Matter that challenge systemic racism requires more work than an in-game panel.
“We The People” is now available to watch on YouTube.
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