The Weeknd set to headline groundbreaking Fortnite Festival experience

Fortnite, the popular online battle royale video game, has teamed up with the bestselling singer The Weeknd for its first-ever "Fortnite Festival" on Saturday. The virtual music festival within the game will showcase performances by a lineup of artists such as Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Kendrick Lamar.

The festival for the popular online multiplayer game takes place just over a week after rapper Eminem's virtual concert at the game's Big Bang event to launch the new Chapter 5: Season 1.

Developed by Epic Games and launched in 2017, Fortnite is a free-to-play, cross-platform online multiplayer game known for its regular and exciting seasonal updates.

Fortnite's main attractions are its collaborative cosmetics, such as weapon wraps, character outfits (known as "skins"), and "emotes" that allow players to perform actions accompanied by music, including popular TikTok dances (like the fan-favorite "griddy" after a kill). Each season, lasting approximately 90 days, introduces new maps, game modes, and cosmetics.

The game has a history of partnering with artists, TV shows, movies, and other video games to promote new releases.

The upcoming festival on Saturday will debut a new music feature on Fortnite, enabling players to use their instrument of choice alongside a festival "jam track" available for purchase. Popular selections from The Weeknd, such as "The Hills" and "Save Your Tears," will be accessible in the in-game item shop. In addition, Fortnite will be introducing a range of The Weeknd-themed skins, pickaxes, and emotes in honor of the festival headliner. The Weeknd is also set to launch a line of branded collaboration merchandise, including shirts, hats, and a Fortnite action figure of the singer.

Tune in on Saturday for the opportunity to play guitar or sing vocals as The Weeknd. The Weeknd is having a phenomenal year, being recognized as the most popular musician in the world by Guinness World Records in March. Additionally, he recently concluded his record-breaking "After Hours Til Dawn" global stadium tour.

Fortnite has previously teamed up with Bad Bunny to release an exclusive "emote" during Coachella, featured Disney+'s "Ahsoka" quests, and offered a range of "Spidey skins" to coincide with the theatrical release of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."

While Fortnite is widely recognized for its third-person shooter mode, Epic Games is broadening its horizons with the introduction of LEGO Fortnite and Rocket Racing.