Fortnite’s new experimental mode is all about partying, not fighting
Gigs and concerts are going virtual in a big way, and they're the future.
Key takeaways
- Courtesy: Epic The mode is playable right now, and the new island is already pretty full of things to do.
- At the center is a small city-esque space full of fast food joints, with other areas spreading out from there.
- After all, it makes a lot more sense to debut, say, a Quibi show inside of a violence-free mode like this, rather than the main winner-takes-all shootout.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2020) 'Fortnite’s new experimental mode is all about partying, not fighting', 311 Institute, 5 May. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/fortnites-new-experimental-mode-is-all-about-partying-not-fighting/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Hands up who’s bored of lockdown. Hands up who wants to party. Yep, that’s what I figured, but as the coronavirus pandemic, Covid-19, still rages around the world unabated the first is a given but necessary, and the second is all but impossible unless of course you really dig those new Zoom parties, yeah they’re awesome fun, it’s no wonder people are getting drunk at home when that’s their only option.
If you, like billions of people around the world who are now in lockdown are fed up of Zoom parties then it’s time to party Fortnite style after Epic Games just launched a new, violence-free mode for the game, dubbed “Party Royale,” which removes two of the biggest elements from the Fortnite experience, weapons and buildings. The mode introduces a new, smaller map, and Epic describes it as an “experimental and evolving space.”
Fortnite's Party Island... where the parties never stop. Courtesy: Epic
The mode is playable right now, and the new island is already pretty full of things to do. At the center is a small city-esque space full of fast food joints, with other areas spreading out from there. That includes cliffs and a beachfront, which feature a series of vehicle-based challenges that involve piloting a boat or ATV across perilous terrain. And while standard weapons aren’t in this mode, there are vending machines around the island that give you nonlethal gear, like paint guns and vehicles. There are also other interactive spaces, like a soccer field, and you can even change your appearance at any point via phone booths.
Elsewhere, there’s an incredibly trippy outdoor dance club, with mats to bounce off of and lots of bright lights. There’s also what appears to be a holographic movie theater. These locations in particular suggest events will be coming to party royale. After all, it makes a lot more sense to debut, say, a Quibi show inside of a violence-free mode like this, rather than the main winner-takes-all shootout.
While the last-man-standing battle royale mode has long been the main draw for Fortnite Epic has gone to great lengths to offer different kinds of experiences and that includes the game’s creative mode which launched in 2018 and lets players create their own mini-games and worlds within Fortnite, but if that’s not your particular type of elixir then now you can log in and party on. So long Zoom.
What this means for your organisation
Games are becoming social venues.
Epic removed fighting to create a space simply for hanging out. A game with a vast audience is now competing with clubs, cinemas and video calls. Leisure and events firms should see virtual venues as rivals and as partners.
Launches can happen inside worlds.
The island includes a club for dancing and what looks like a movie theatre. That signals premieres and live shows held in the game itself. Marketers should plan how a product or show would work in a shared virtual location.
Creation tools widen the field.
Fortnite's creative mode lets players build their own worlds and mini-games. Audiences no longer just consume branded experiences, they help make them. Brands that invite co-creation will earn more attention than those that buy space.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Where do our younger customers spend social time online now?
- What would a launch or event inside a game look like for us?
- Are we ready to let fans co-create branded experiences?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Gigs and concerts are going virtual in a big way, and they're the future.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on virtual worlds and the future of your organisation.
Sources and further reading
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 5 May 2020. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2020). Fortnite’s new experimental mode is all about partying, not fighting. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/fortnites-new-experimental-mode-is-all-about-partying-not-fighting/
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