Lego Fortnite is an open world survival video game, developed and published by Epic Games in association with The Lego Group. It was released on December 7, 2023, for Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. The game can be accessed on the Fortnite game platform.
| Lego Fortnite | |
|---|---|
 Promotional artwork | |
| Developer(s) | Epic Games |
| Publisher(s) | Epic Games |
| Series | Fortnite |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | December 7, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Survival, sandbox |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editBefore entering, players can select the Lego Fortnite game mode option while in the lobby. Upon doing so, the player's existing outfit, if compatible, will be converted into a minifigure. They can then select a world, with some options including turning on or off hunger, hostile mobs, and dying,[1] as well as having the ability to invite up to eight players in a single world.[2] After this is done and the game has started, players can roam around the map, and collect materials, such as wood, by punching trees, while also being able to build buildings and tools. They will also have to keep an eye out for enemy mobs, if this option was activated, such as spiders, wolves, bears, and skeletons.[3] When dealt with damage, players can heal themselves by consuming items such as pumpkins, corn, eggs, raspberries, meat, etc.[4] Fireflies will also appear from time to time, and are unable to be caught due to their speed. Instead, players can follow them, which will lead to them discovering chests and loot llamas, the latter of which will explode with items after being pet.[5]
Fishing mechanics
editWith the introduction of the "Gone Fishin'" update in February 2024,[6] Lego Fortnite players can now engage in fishing activities to collect a diverse array of aquatic life. The update brings 15 different types of fish into the game, including Legendary variants. These fish can be found in various biomes and weather conditions.
To facilitate the fishing experience, several new tools and items were introduced, including the Fishing Rod, Food Processor, Bait Bucket, and Spyglass. Players can craft different tiers of Fishing Rods and Bait Buckets using crafting benches and specific materials. The rarity of these items determines their effectiveness in fishing endeavors, with higher-tier rods and buckets offering improved performance and capabilities.[6]
Driving mechanics
editOn 26 March 2024, an update called "Mechanical Mayhem" was released. the update allowed player to drive vehicles. Three vehicles were released: The Speeder, Offroader, and the Hauler.
Development
editOn April 7, 2022, Epic Games announced that they had entered a partnership with The Lego Group, and while details were scarce, the two companies were working on creating a "metaverse" designed for younger audiences.[7] As a result, Lego's parent company, Kirkbi A/S, invested US$1 billion into Epic Games.[8]
A year later on November 21, 2023, Lego uploaded a teaser to Twitter unveiling the Supply Llama from the game made out of Lego bricks, thus confirming that the collaboration was underway.[9]
Over 1,200 Fortnite outfits were converted into Lego minifigures during the game's original launch,[10][11] with Epic Games confirming that more would be on the way by early 2024.[12]
On December 20, 2023, YouTube personality MrBeast became the first person with an in-game Icon Series outfit to receive a Lego style, which re-released on the Item Shop earlier that day.[13]
On May 3, 2024, Fortnite added a Star Wars update, right before the annual Star Wars celebrations.[14] This update affected Lego Fortnite too, the new Star Wars Island is home to a Rebel Village, in which the player will be able to repair and improve after the Empire crashes onto their island.[15]
Lego Islands Partnership
editAt the 2024 GDC, Epic Games and The Lego Group unveiled plans for Fortnite creators to utilize Lego elements, Lego Styles, and other Lego Brand assets in Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) and Fortnite Creative. This groundbreaking integration enables creators to publish their own Lego Islands, fostering creativity and imagination among players of all ages.[16][self-published source] To ensure a safe gaming environment, all published Lego Islands must adhere to strict guidelines, including ESRB ratings of E10+ for accessibility in the United States and PEGI ratings of 7 for accessibility in most of Europe.[16][self-published source] Additionally, all Lego Islands utilize Epic Games' parental controls and safety features to safeguard players of all ages.
Release
editThe preview for the game was first revealed during The Big Bang event on December 2, 2023, through the following day, alongside two other then-upcoming game modes, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival,[17] with the game being released on December 7, 2023, for the majority of platforms supported on the base game.
Upon launch, the game reached over 2.4 million concurrent users, becoming the most popular game mode,[18] by surpassing the player counts of Battle Royale, Rocket Racing, Fortnite Festival, and Save the World.[19]
Reception
editThe game has received generally positive reviews from critics, however has drawn heavy comparisons to Minecraft, another sandbox game which involves crafting items.[23]
Phil Hornshaw of IGN gave it a rating of 7/10, saying that there was "a solid foundation here that developer Epic Games will surely build on over time" and noted that it felt "somewhat empty at launch", and went on by addressing its "thin" building aspects and lack of any real goals.[20]
James Herd of Destructoid also brought up the game's target audience, believing that the mode was made to circumvent some concern over the other pre-existing modes' violence.[24]
References
edit- ^ Woodrow, Ryan (December 7, 2023). "How to play LEGO Fortnite and create a world". FanNation. Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Totilo, Stephen (December 7, 2023). "Epic adds Lego mode to Fortnite, putting action behind metaverse talk". Axios.
- ^ Park, Morgan; Wilde, Tyler (December 7, 2023). "Lego Fortnite is way bigger than we thought, and millions of people are playing the new survival mode". PC Gamer.
- ^ Mathew, Melvin (December 7, 2023). "How to heal in LEGO Fortnite". Dexerto.
- ^ Pelliccio, Meg (December 8, 2023). "Lego Fortnite: How To Find Loot Llamas". TheGamer.
- ^ a b Landis, Robbie (2024-02-22). "LEGO Fortnite Gone Fishin' Update Patch Notes for v28.30". Esports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ Malik, Aisha (April 7, 2022). "Fortnite developer Epic Games and Lego partner to build a metaverse aimed at kids". TechCrunch.
- ^ Blair, Elizabeth (April 11, 2022). "Sony and Lego are investing $2 billion in Epic Games, creator of Fortnite". NPR.
- ^ Bellingham, Hope (November 21, 2023). "Lego teases Fortnite collaboration with a blocky Loot Llama". GamesRadar+.
- ^ Shutler, Ali (December 4, 2023). "'Fortnite' adds 1200 Lego skins and new survival crafting mode". NME.
- ^ Felderstein, Ben (December 9, 2023). "How 'Fortnite' Is Changing Video Games With Its Three New Modes". Complex Networks.
- ^ Kelly, Dylan (December 7, 2023). "'LEGO Fortnite' Launches With Signature Block Characters and Survival Gameplay". Hypebeast.
- ^ Galloway, Ryan (December 20, 2023). "MrBeast finally joins LEGO Fortnite with a new outfit style". Dot Esports.
- ^ Wesley Yin-Poole (2024-05-01). "Fortnite Update v29.40 Brings Star Wars to Battle Royale, Lego Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, and Rocket Racing". IGN India. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Star Wars in LEGO Fortnite: What does the new crossover bring?". Radio Times. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ a b "LEGO Islands Unreal Editor Fortnite - About Us". LEGO.com. 2024-03-20. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Bankhurst, Adam; Caretto, Corrado (December 2, 2023). "Fortnite's Big Bang Event Was an Epic Adventure That Sets Up New LEGO, Racing, and Music Games". IGN.
- ^ Hatmaker, Taylor (December 12, 2023). "Lego Fortnite's debut builds momentum with 2.4M people playing at once". TechCrunch.
- ^ Bošnjak, Dominik (December 11, 2023). "LEGO Fortnite Player Count is Higher Than Fortnite Battle Royale". Game Rant.
- ^ a b Hornshaw, Phil (December 12, 2023). "Lego Fortnite Review". IGN.
- ^ Green, Jake (December 11, 2023). "Lego Fortnite review - an epically moreish Minecraft competitor". TechRadar.
- ^ Hegevall, Petter (2023-12-19). "Lego Fortnite - Review". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (December 8, 2023). "Building blocks of a new metaverse: Lego Fortnite is a delight to play". The Guardian.
- ^ Herd, James (December 7, 2023). "Is LEGO Fortnite a limited-time mode? Explained". Destructoid.