Virtual Commemoration: Revolutionary Holocaust Museum Inside Fortnite
A game developer's initiative to educate young players: A Holocaust museum in Fortnite has been created and approved by Epic Games, offering a unique opportunity for learning and understanding
Highlights
A Holocaust museum has been approved for publication in Fortnite, aiming to increase Holocaust education and reach a wider audience.
In Fortnite, players are now empowered to go beyond just playing the game and instead have the opportunity to craft and share their own unique experiences with the help of the Unreal Editor.
To foster a respectful and educational environment, Luc Bernard, the creator of the museum, has taken measures to disable emotes, destruction, and weapons within the map, ensuring a safeguarded space for learning.
A Holocaust museum is set to be published in Fortnite in the coming weeks, taking advantage of the release of the Fortnite Unreal Editor to enhance Holocaust education. The developer, in collaboration with Epic Games, aims to expand the reach of this important mission.
Fortnite has undergone significant evolution since its inception. The popular Battle Royale mode was introduced later on, initially as a means to attract players to the original PvE concept of Save the World. Over the years, Fortnite has become a household name and arguably the most popular game worldwide. It has ventured beyond the realm of a traditional video game, with numerous collaborations with well-known fictional franchises and even hosting virtual concerts featuring top celebrities. With the introduction of Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), this idea is further amplified, allowing players to create and share unique experiences within the game.
Luc Bernard viewed the Unreal Editor as a golden opportunity to expand Holocaust education. Now, with the approval from Epic Games, he is set to publish a dedicated Holocaust museum within Fortnite. Bernard points out the alarming fact that 80% of Americans have not visited a Holocaust museum, and believes that presenting the information digitally is the most effective approach. While it is not currently available to the public, Bernard is optimistic about its imminent release.
Concerns were raised about maintaining respect in the midst of Fortnite's well-known reputation for animated chaos and flashy emotes, hardly synonymous with solemn tributes. In response, Bernard assured that emotes, destruction, and weapons are disabled on the map, making it even more respectful than real-life memorials where people have been known to take selfies. Earlier this year, Bernard released The Light in the Darkness, a free game published by Epic Games, in which players step into the shoes of a Polish Jewish family attempting to escape the Holocaust in France.
Game companies have previously invested in educational tools, such as Ubisoft and Assassin's Creed. Assassin's Creed, known for its depiction of historical periods and inclusion of historical figures in fictional stories, explored its educational potential through the Discovery Tour mode in Assassin's Creed Origins. This mode allows players to learn about Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Valhalla's Middle Ages without any distractions. As a result, every major installment of Assassin's Creed since then has included a Discovery Tour. Additionally, Fortnite can be played on various platforms, including Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
