Fortnite developers Epic Games and Lego have entered a partnership to create metaverse for kids. As per the official announcement, “The family-friendly digital experience will give kids access to tools that will empower them to become confident creators and deliver amazing play opportunities in a safe and positive space.”
The pairing of two of the biggest names in entertainment makes a lot of sense. Epic Games has extensive knowledge in creating virtual worlds, primarily through the popular Fortnite, while Lego has had a large focus on video games, most recently with the Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga that was launched this week. Minecraft and Roblox — two of the most popular online video games — offer a similar style of sandbox building as Lego bricks. Epic Games has previously spoken about creating a more child-friendly metaverse.
Epic Games and Lego team up to build a metaverse
The new partnership follows similar other attempts from companies building their interpretation of the metaverse, including Pokémon Go-maker Niantic to Facebook and major NFT brands. The two companies have decided to focus on three principles when it comes to building the virtual world to offer engaging play opportunities safely. These three principles are:
- Protect children’s right to play by making safety and wellbeing a priority.
- Safeguard children’s privacy by putting their best interests first.
- Empower children and adults with tools that give them control over their digital experience.
“The LEGO Group has captivated the imagination of children and adults through creative play for nearly a century, and we are excited to come together to build a space in the metaverse that’s fun, entertaining, and made for kids and families,” Epic CEO and founder Tim Sweeney said in a press release.
Last September, the company announced a $50 million fund dedicated toward investment in research to ensure the metaverse is built responsibly. Since then, the company has doubled down on its plans for the metaverse, and even canceled its F8 developer conference yesterday, saying it wants to focus its efforts on building the metaverse.
“Kids enjoy playing in digital and physical worlds and move seamlessly between the two,” Lego CEO Niels B Christiansen said in the press release. “We believe there is huge potential for them to develop life-long skills such as creativity, collaboration, and communication through digital experiences. But we have a responsibility to make them safe, inspiring, and beneficial for all.”
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