When the Fortnite Chapter 5 and Remix Finale event hits the virtual stage on November 30, it will showcase a lineup of four legendary musical artists: Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Ice Spice, and Juice WRLD. Similar to past in-game concerts featuring Travis Scott and Ariana Grande, this event promises to be a dazzling audiovisual spectacle. However, the inclusion of the late Juice WRLD, who passed away in 2019, sets this concert apart. It marks the first time Fortnite has used an artist's likeness posthumously, a practice also being navigated by Hollywood.

GameSpot recently interviewed Nate Nanzer, Epic's head of global partnerships, about the decision to feature Juice WRLD, whose real name is Jarad Anthony Higgins. Nanzer revealed that Epic had long hoped to collaborate with the late artist and explained why they believe now is the right time. 'It's something our players have been asking for for years, and we've wanted to do it, but we wanted to find the right moment,' Nanzer said. 'We obviously want to do it in the most respectful way possible. We worked very closely with his mom and his label, and we were able to find the right moment where it felt right, around this event, and he has new music coming out, so all the stars kind of aligned around this moment.'

Nanzer mentioned that Juice WRLD was a 'big Fortnite player,' implying that he would likely have wanted to be part of the game if he were still with us. Despite the involvement of his family and label, some may still find the use of a deceased artist's likeness controversial. In the film industry, Robert Downey Jr. recently announced plans to sue over any AI replicas of his likeness, even posthumously. This echoes the 2012 Tupac 'hologram' performance at Coachella, which predates many of Fortnite's younger fans.

In the Fortnite community, there hasn't been much pushback regarding Juice WRLD's involvement in the upcoming event. While some express ethical concerns, the majority on platforms like Reddit and Discord are excited. Younger players, who have grown up with Fortnite, may see this as a technological marvel rather than a boundary-crossing. Nanzer noted that the community has long requested a Juice WRLD event, and he believes fans will have positive reactions. 'We're hopeful. We know our players have been asking for it, so there's a lot of pressure to really deliver it the right way. I think people are really gonna love what we have coming, like, I think it's done in an awesome way. I think if you're a Juice WRLD fan, you're gonna feel good about it,' he said.

Juice WRLD's mother, Carmela Wallace, was also involved in this collaboration. She recently shared her thoughts on the upcoming event. The debate over using a deceased person's likeness won't end with Fortnite Chapter 5, but Nanzer hinted that music will continue to play a significant role in Fortnite's future. Rumors already suggest a future collaboration with XXXTentacion, another artist who was tragically murdered in 2018.

Fortnite has become a global trendsetter, influencing the gaming industry over the past half-decade. Initially a survival game, Fortnite has evolved into a multifaceted platform that not only features pop culture but shapes it. As Epic Games continues to create the ultimate multimedia experience, it is inevitably shaping the future, whether we are prepared for it or not.

Source link:   https://www.gamespot.com