Earlier today, Epic Games and Lucasfilm unveiled a roadmap of significant Star Wars content coming to Fortnite. Kicking off with a freebie today and running through the end of the month with massive activations, the Force is certainly strong with Fortnite.
We’ve already spoken at length in previous articles about this month’s big content that really kicks off on May 1st but we haven’t really heard from Lucasfilm without they are feeling about it. Thankfully a senior executive at the company has now spoken.
James Waugh, Senior Vice President of Franchise Story and Creative Strategy at Lucasfilm was interviewed by IGN about the future of Star Wars storytelling and gaming. Waugh explains that there is the view that Fortnite is key to Star Wars’ future in terms of storytelling.
“I don’t think that it’s even part of the future of the franchise. I think it is a vital part of the storytelling ecosystem today. I think that Star Wars gaming expressions are a fundamental part of what has made Star Wars successful. I’ve been playing Star Wars games ever since Trench Run. We’re living in a media landscape where people want to access authentic expressions of the things they love from so many different ways. And our job is to make sure that we give them that.”
From May 1st, fans can publish their own Star Wars games in Fortnite and make money from it. Why spend hundreds of millions on Star Wars Battlefront 3 when teenagers can do it for you, free of charge? Both narrative and competitive game experiences can be found through this new system.
“It’s literally where audiences are now, and it’s where we’re spending a lot of our time. And the ability to also create some sort of synergies between Interactive and the linear content is just the vernacular.”
Waugh was also asked if Lucasfilm are going to take inspiration from Fortnite for ideas to use in upcoming films and Disney+ shows. The exec said they are not doing that but rather just letting fans engage in new ways.
May 1st and beyond is going to be a huge day for Star Wars fans. New modes, skins and more is coming to Epic’s multiplayer game. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any new Star Wars x Fortnite developments.
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