LEGO Fortnite launched by Epic Games to challenge Minecraft dominance

Epic Games and Lego partner to launch new "Lego Fortnite" game, combining survival crafting gameplay with iconic Lego minifigures.

Today marks the official launch of Lego Fortnite, a brand new "survival crafting game" created by Epic Games in collaboration with the Danish toy giant, Lego. In this game, players must gather resources to build shelters, craft tools and weapons, and battle strange creatures in a series of expansive online worlds.

If you have kids, you might notice that Lego Fortnite bears a striking resemblance to the popular game Minecraft. The "survival crafting" genre has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with titles like Valheim, Ark: Survival Evolved, Grounded, and Raft, as well as some games within the Roblox universe sharing similar gameplay elements.

While the classic Fortnite game focuses on intense combat between online players, Lego Fortnite takes a different approach. According to Lego's parent's guide, the game incorporates the iconic Lego minifigures, outfits, bricks, and elements, making it suitable for players of all ages. In fact, the game is rated E10+ by the ESRB, meaning it is appropriate for players aged 10 and over.

Saxs Persson, the executive vice president of Epic, revealed that nearly a year ago, the decision was made to redesign and animate over a thousand outfits purchased by players in the game to resemble Lego minifigures. This move allows players to carry over their previous purchases into the Lego Fortnite game.

This partnership between Epic Games and the Lego Group is part of a long-term commitment to creating safe and enjoyable digital spaces for children and families. As part of the agreement, Kirkbi, the family company that controls the Lego Group, invested a staggering US$1 billion in Epic.

In addition to Lego Fortnite, Epic is also launching two other games this month. Rocket Racing, an arcade racer developed by Psyonix, a subsidiary of Epic that created the popular game Rocket League. The other game, Fortnite Festival, is the first music game from Epic, developed in collaboration with Harmonix, the maker of Rock Band. This game allows players to form a band or perform solo on stage with music from their favorite artists.

Overall, the launch of Lego Fortnite marks an exciting new chapter in the gaming world, blending the creativity and imagination of Lego with the immersive gameplay of Fortnite. With its focus on crafting, survival, and family-friendly content, Lego Fortnite is poised to become a beloved game for players of all ages.