Fortnite x Metallica: Why the Metal Gods' Video Game Takeover is Another Win for Heavy Music
Metallica and the gaming world have once again joined forces for good after almighty developer Epic Games launched their highly anticipated collaboration with the heavy metal legends across their signature platform Fortnite this weekend.For active and eager players, it's the global team-up of the millennium... but for the average Joe, it's a whole lot of announcements with little to no explanation or understanding of what's going on.Luckily for the ill-informed readers among us, I partake in a game or 12 of Fortnite on a daily basis and even delivered the below "CRINGE-inducing reference" on stage at COPENHELL last year - which as far as I'm concerned was the moment I singlehandedly manifested this collab into existence... well that's what I tell myself at night.Anyway, if it's been a hot minute since your last Victory Royale, here's a complete rundown of Fortallica and how YOU can get involved...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiqUmZjWU6E
Fortnite Battle Royale
The OG Battle Royale mode pits 100 players against each other in the open-world shoot-em-up, blow-em-up elimination fight for the crown where players - in squads of four, trios, duos or simply 1 versus 99 - go head to head to survive while taking down their competition and crossing off in-game missions and unlockable tasks.The current season (which changes every 3 months) finds players in the midst of a Max Max/Furiosa-esque post-apocalyptic wasteland complete with bosses, modifiable cars, weapons and tools akin to that of the Mad Max landscape. There's even its own version of the Thunderdome!What's this gotta do with Metallica? Well, they not only provide the soundtrack for the metal mayhem that ensures, but they're also a key destination to upgrade mid-game.About halfway through a round, a floating Loot Island will randomly appear on the map where players can pick up rare and exotic weapons to help them get to the end; only now with Metallica's takeover, players are met with holograms of the foursome performing atop the island, complete with their signature LED screen and speakers from their recent concerts while 'EnterSandman' plays around you.https://youtu.be/EYveyruL6kEThere's also a new guitar-shaped mythic weapon called Ride The Lightening which shoots the wielding player in a zig-zagged, lightening-bolt path through the sky before they line up their opponent for a final explosive smackdown attack on the ground which (if aimed correctly) will hit opponents like a bomb drop - all the while 'Ride The Lightening' plays out through your headphones/speakers as you soar through the air - which is METAL AF.Players can also purchase themed skins of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo and LarsUlrich so you can play as your favourite member in post-apocalyptic and reactive attire. It's a great feature that'll have metal fans staring in awe, bewildered by the fact they're playable in the game - and of course, have you spending your hard earned on V-Bucks (in-game currency) to add the band to your collection.
Fortnite Festival: Battle Stage & Main Stage
Not too long ago, Fortnite levelled up by introducing additional game platforms for their brand, including the Guitar Hero-esque Fortnite Festival; which - as you guessed it - is much like the popular Neversoft-developed game from the mid-2000s (but now a playable inclusion inside Fortnite).In the new Battle Stage mode, 16 players go head-to-head trying to max out their note streaks and playing skills to avoid being eliminated. Stay above the cut-off line and you're fine... fall below and you're out!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfGFPrf5BBYThe Main Stage is where you can play up to four tracks by yourself, or via a friendly private/public game with fellow participants without the competition aspect. It's the closest thing to the OG Guitar Hero you'll get.With a vast array of real-world heavy/alternative acts to choose from - including Nirvana, blink-182, Paramore, Disturbed, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Taking Back Sunday, Olivia Rodrigo and newly added Metallica tracks such as 'The Unforgiven', 'Fuel', 'Wherever I May Roam', 'Ride the Lightning', 'EnterSandman' and 'One' - chances are you'll lose a few hours caught up in the gameplay (and quests) to unlock more skins/characters, like the OG Metallica look and outfits.See the video playthrough below to get an idea of what to expect!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z7L35-aeC0With Season 4's commencement also comes new songs being added weekly between now and when the season concludes on August 16th. It's the perfect time to jump in and educate your kids about metal while connecting with them as you play together. What's not to love about that?Grab the credit card as in-game purchases are the quickest way to secure Metallica-themed goodies such as load-screens, playable tracks, instrument skins, emotes and more.
Fortnite Concert Experience - Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury
Forty is no stranger to exclusive/immersive experiences and in the past, we've seen the likes of Australia's The Kid Laroi, Eminem, Ariana Grande, Marshmello, Juice Wrld, and more recently BillieEilish, host in-game performances for fans. Now Metallica is getting in on the action and upping the ante with an all-new experience that will take place within Fortnite for a limited time when Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury. launches on June 22 and June 23 [Note: June 23rd and June 24th for us in Australia].In the past, players have participated in reactive concerts where the experience plays out around you as you make your way through tracklistings by the main act in question. These immersive Metallica experiences will have six showtimes across two days with the below times being the only chance to experience the concert live in-game.
Completely customized and built from the ground up using Unreal Editor for Fortnite by technology studio Magnopus, Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury. is a brand-new playable concert through six songs with themed gameplay.
This is an event not to be missed for any music fan, especially Metallica fans - as once it's gone, it's gone forever...
Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury.
SATURDAY, JUNE 222 PM ET // 11 AM PT [4 AM AEST Sunday June 23]5 PM ET // 2 PM PT [7 AM Sunday June 23]11 PM ET // 8 PM PT [1 PM AEST Sunday June 23]
SUNDAY, JUNE 2310 AM ET // 7 AM PT [Midnight AEST Monday June 24]2 PM ET // 11 AM PT [4am AEST Monday June 24]5 PM ET // 2 PM PT [7am AEST Monday June 24]
LEGO Fortnite and Rocket Racing
LEGO Fortnite is a massive open build-your-own-world concept (akin to that of Minecraft) and Metallica's members have been shrunk down and turned into Lego characters you can select as your playable skin. It's a great way to spend/pass a few hours with the kids.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrXkAlM-eQERocket Racing - much like the old school Hot Wheels racing games, finds players behind the wheel of their own designed and upgraded cars racing against other players with Metallica and others providing the soundtrack as you do it.https://www.instagram.com/p/C8HsDUgBwEi/
The Final Verdict
While Fortnite has evolved over the years, it is fast becoming a go-to destination for avid, new or fast-rising gamers to play with pals; or face off against strangers online.The inclusion of Metallica - alongside various other metal/punk bands such as Beartooth, BABYMETAL, Slipknot, Wolfmother, Disturbed, Ramones and System of a Down (in Fortnite's in-game radio soundtrack/playlists) - will bridge the gap for kids and newcomers to the metal scene - through listening to its soundtracks, and immersing themselves in the gameplay and unique experiences offered in Season 4 to the amassed 230 Million active monthly players.
"We’ve been lucky enough to perform on every continent on the planet, so we set our sights on Fortnite as our next stop... we’re excited and very proud to be the first band at the center of all Fortnite experiences with Metallica-themed gameplay [across] Fortnite Festival, Battle Royale, LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and more!" - Metallica on their Fortnite takeover!
As with everything they do, there's also limited edition Fortnite collab merch to celebrate the occasion.https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Hx6dSJxVP/Not since Guitar Hero: Metallica have metal fans been able to combine their love for the band and gaming; and alongside these new in-game features, there's been no better time to join in the festivities for these once-in-a-lifetime experiences in digital format.Revisit our chat with Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo - who shed light on the band's intentions to visit Australia on their 72 Seasons World Tour. Until those dates are announced, this may be the closest we get to the band down under.Words by Paul 'Browny' Brown@brownypaul
HOW TO JUMP INTO FORTNITE
- Download Fortnite for free on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, PC.
- Fortnite is also available on cloud-based streaming services.
- Once in the Fortnite Lobby, select the game you’d like to play. For starters:
- “Fortnite Battle Royale” for the classic, action-packed shooter
- “Fortnite Festival - "Main Stage” for rhythm-based gameplay
- NEW - Fortnite Festival - Battle Stage” for competitive, player-vs player music gameplay
- “LEGO Fortnite” for a survival crafting LEGO adventure
- “Rocket Racing” to drift, fly, and boost in a supersonic arcade racer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrtWx80NP-Q
