Fortnite is a massively popular online multiplayer video game developed by Epic Games. It's known for its combination of shooting, building, and survival elements. It is not just a game but a cultural phenomenon, influencing mainstream media, sports, and even fashion, particularly among younger audiences.
The game features two main modes: "Save the World" and "Battle Royale."
Save the world mode is a cooperative player-versus-environment (PvE) campaign where players team up to fight against waves of zombie-like creatures known as "husks." Players can build structures to defend objectives and gather resources to craft weapons, traps, and fortifications.
Battle Royale is the most popular and pits up to 100 players against each other in a last-person-standing deathmatch. Players start with minimal equipment and must scavenge for weapons, resources, and items while avoiding being eliminated by opponents or the encroaching storm that gradually shrinks the playable area. The goal is to be the last player or team standing.
Fortnite gained immense popularity due to its free-to-play model, vibrant graphics, frequent updates, and cross-platform availability. It also became renowned for its unique building mechanic, where players can construct walls, ramps, and other structures on-the-fly using gathered resources, adding a strategic layer to gameplay.
Additionally, Fortnite has a robust cosmetic system, offering various skins, emotes, and other items that players can purchase or earn through in-game achievements, contributing to its cultural impact and revenue success.
In an innovative approach to recount the story of Brazil's revered quilombola leader, the game "Zumbi dos Palmares" aims to offer immersive experiences, thereby facilitating greater understanding of life in the Palmares quilombo. Furthermore, the platform introduces characters and narratives centre around black individuals into the gaming realm. Unveiled in November by PretaHub, a business accelerator established by black entrepreneurs, and produced by Salve Games, this title, inspired by Fortnite, is slated for release in March 2024.
Alexandre de Maio, Fortnite’s Brazilian developer behind the upcoming release declared "I had the idea to create a project called ‘Brasil Real’, which would bring a way to retell the history of Brazil in the game. I wanted to put the player alongside a character who was defending the lands where they lived, and which would later become Brazil." In the gameplay, the player fights with weapons like bows and muskets and can count on the support not only of the character Zumbi dos Palmares, who pays homage to the historical leader, but also of Dandara, the warrior's companion. Both are NPCs (non-player characters).
For those unfamiliar, Zumbi dos Palmares was a pioneering figure in the resistance against the enslavement of Africans in Brazil. Additionally, he held the distinction of being the final monarch of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a community of Afro-Brazilian individuals who had emancipated themselves from bondage within the settlement itself. The word “quilombo” came from a Kimbundu word: "kilombo," of the North Mbundu Bantu language in Angola, meaning "warrior village or settlement. It stands out as one of the earliest havens in the Americas where enslaved Black people found refuge and freedom. Demonstrating remarkable organizational, military, and architectural prowess, the Quilombo was fortified by a sturdy fence crafted from clay and palm trees, boasting three entrances vigilantly guarded by over two hundred warriors armed with weapons and ammunition to repel colonizers. Despite his valiant efforts, Zumbi met his demise in battle on November 20, 1695. To this day, his death anniversary is commemorated annually, honouring his significant contributions to the Black struggle against colonialism and the advancement of black consciousness.
Fortnite's latest update serves as a potent testament to the influential role video games can play in acknowledging and honouring historically marginalized communities. By commemorating an icon who symbolizes resilience in the face of oppression, Fortnite empowers its diverse audience to confront and challenge the injustices of the past that are still recurrent sadly. This update not only celebrates the legacy of the individual being remembered but also amplifies a broader message of unity and strength against hate and discrimination. By choosing to spotlight such figures and narratives, Fortnite encourages players to embrace the power of representation and solidarity, fostering a more inclusive gaming environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. In doing so, the game cultivates a sense of empathy and understanding, inspiring individuals to stand against bigotry and discrimination both within the virtual world and in their everyday lives.
Beyond entertainment, Fortnite serves as a catalyst for curiosity and learning among its younger audience, emphasizing the profound impact of knowledge as the most potent tool for societal progress. By immersing players in historical narratives and diverse cultural contexts, the game not only entertains but also inspires a thirst for understanding and exploration. Through projects like 'Zumbi dos Palmares' and 'Brasil Real,' Fortnite ignites a passion for learning about untold stories and underrepresented histories, encouraging players to delve deeper into the complexities of the world around them. In this way, the game transcends its virtual boundaries, becoming a gateway to education and enlightenment, where every victory is not just a triumph in the game but also a step forward in the pursuit of knowledge and awareness.
According to the Game Brasil Survey (PGB), the engagement of Brazilians with games is 82.1%, with many considering playing electronic games as one of their main forms of entertainment. Regarding the ethnicity of Brazilian gamers, as observed in previous editions, the majority are Black (54.1%), including those who identify as Black (12.7%) or Mixed race (41.4%), while individuals who identify as White represent 42.2% of gamers in Brazil.
There are still many histories to be retold and remembered, it is the start of something new.
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