It isn’t the moon. It is an island. Fortnite island to be precise. As you in all probability know by now, Star Wars is coming to Fortnite in a giant manner. Beginning Could 1st, builders will have the ability to: “Create a Star Wars-inspired island” Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) and Fortnite Inventive use rigorously chosen property and instruments from (Epic’s) largest IP toolset to this point. β This implies fan-favorite characters (Luke, Leia, Vader), places (Hoth, Nevarro, Tatooine), and autos (X-Wing, TIE Fighter, AAT) will all be obtainable and playable inside Fortnite.
Forward of the official launch, I sat down with James Waugh, Lucasfilm’s Senior Vice President of Franchise Story and Inventive Technique, to debate how this new expertise suits into the general Star Wars canon, whether or not followers can count on Legends skins in Fortnite quickly, and unique seems at Star Wars film and TV content material inside Fortnite.
βFor us, itβs a no brainer,β Waugh says of getting a primary take a look at big-screen Star Wars in Fortnite. “Given the deep historical past of the previous few huge Fortnite Star Wars occasions that we have had, I believe it is clear how huge the viewers is true now. That is actually the place the viewers is true now, and that is the place we spend plenty of our time. And the power to create some type of synergy between interactive and linear content material is simply what it seems like.”
Lucasfilm is attempting to attraction to hardcore players by digging deeper into Fortnite, past trailers and film clips. The brand new islands embody:
Star Wars: Galactic Siege: Consider Seize the Flag as a full-fledged AAA Star Wars recreation the place you’ll be able to have any Star Wars pores and skin, even when you do not have a Star Wars pores and skin.
Star Wars: Droid Tycoon: It is a basic huge recreation, however it’s completely Star Wars.
Star Wars: Escape from Vader: A real Star Wars horror recreation – suppose Useless By Daylight or Alien Isolation – the secret is to keep away from Vader and hold him from killing you.
“These are actually huge, attention-grabbing genres that match very properly with Star Wars from a fantasy perspective,” Waugh says. “The thought of ββa survival horror recreation mixed with Darth Vader, one of the crucial terrifying and nice characters to ever seem in cinema, is ideal.[And]droids, who does not wish to construct droids? We’re all actually excited to have the ability to give followers actual instruments to create their very own Star Wars experiences.”
One of many largest questions Star Wars followers and Fortnite gamers alike have is whether or not the brand new expertise will embody character skins that transcend the official canon. Will we have the ability to meet Revan or Starkiller in Fortnite? Waugh says that is likely to be the case, however not but. “We’re not fairly there but on this space,” Waugh mentioned. “Our focus is to present our followers the instruments that this playset offers and see what they will create, as a result of I truthfully suppose that is the place the true magic lies. I hate dictating or giving individuals Legends stuff, as a substitute giving them genuine characters. That is the ability right here for me and seeing what enjoyable remix methods our viewers contribute.”
Lucasfilm understands that by bringing Star Wars to Fortnite, it is handing gamers the keys to an enormous universe. I requested Waugh if the studio may use its Fortnite sandbox to gather concepts for upcoming motion pictures and TV exhibits.
“I do not suppose we take a look at it (that manner),” Waugh says. “I believe we interact as followers and see what occurs. However I’ve realized through the years that there is a zeitgeist round Star Wars. It simply comes from an ecosystem of affection and fandom, and there is one thing that individuals wish to see. So, you by no means know.”
With the official launch of Fortnite: Star Wars Island simply days away, Lucasfilm is simply scratching the floor of how creator-driven content material will probably be concerned within the Star Wars galaxy. Waugh says that along with a wealth of films, TV exhibits and video games, UGC is certainly the way forward for the franchise.
“I do not even suppose it is a part of the way forward for the sequence. I believe it is an essential a part of at present’s storytelling ecosystem,” Waugh says. “I believe the illustration of Star Wars video games is a basic a part of what makes Star Wars profitable. I have been taking part in Star Wars video games since Trench Run. We reside in a media surroundings the place individuals wish to entry genuine representations of the issues they love in quite a lot of methods, and our job is to verify we offer that.”
Michael Peyton is videogameaddicted’s Senior Editorial Director of Occasions & Leisure, the place he leads leisure content material and protection of main occasions equivalent to videogameaddicted Reside, San Diego Comedian-Con, Gamescom, and videogameaddicted Fan Fest. He has labored within the gaming and leisure trade for 20 years. His adventures have taken him in all places from the Oscars to Japan to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Comply with him at Bluesky @MichaelPeyton