As we face unprecedented times, our world is certainly adapting. The shelter-in place has led the creative minds behind the battle royale game, Fortnite, to bring remote entertainment to the next level. In a collaboration with Travis Scott, Epic Games added “Astronomical” to the gaming world from April 23-25. What was a truly “visceral experience, drew in a record breaking 12.3 million live concurrent players,” said a statement from Epic Games.
Fortnite has been a live platform for many virtual events in the past few years. A screening of a never-before-seen clip from The Rise of Skywalker, a concert hosted by Marshmello, and a special clip from the show Parks and Recreation, have all been special treats for gamers. None of the events have been as surreal as Astronomical, though.
The 10 minute event began with players gathered in front of a stage. Players could use new emotes added to the game for the event, such as headbanging and raising fiery mics over their head. As the song “Sikko Mode,” by Travis Scott featuring Drake, began to play, a giant space ship approached the stage. Suddenly, all players were blasted into the air by the impact of a crash-landing giant avatar of Travis Scott. Once the beat dropped, the avatar of Travis Scott stood up and began rapping. Players followed as the truly gigantic avatar walked and glitched around the island performing.
Eye-grabbing scenery continued to change throughout the 10 minute show in correspondence with the songs.
“Things got quite a bit more colorful as the environment dimmed and Scott’s circulatory system went rainbow,” said an article by the Insider.
Travis Scott is well-known for his ability to put on a show. Scott’s last tour, Astroworld, featured two stages: a carousel and roller coaster at every show.
According to an article by the Washington Post, “Astroworld” had the raw energy (and slight terror) of a hallucinogenic theme park–hence why Scott fastened himself into the carousel to perform ‘Carousel’ and allowed fans to ride it throughout the evening.” It’s not surprising that Scott’s collaboration with Epic Games was such a success. With the endless capabilities of animations, Scott’s visions were brought to their fullest potential.
The pinnacle of the event was the premier of Scott and Kid Cudi’s new song “The Scotts.” Once the song started playing, the giant Travis Scott avatar blasted off into space, taking all of the players with him. After that the show ended, and all the players floated back on to the island into the original Fortnite mode they were playing.
Players who attended any of the shows from April 23-35 received free loot. From Travis Scott “skins,” to new outfits and emotes, players could receive all of it by simply attending the event. It is still possible for players to get all of the Travis Scott loot if they complete a series of challenges.
This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that players could enjoy while stuck in quarantine from the COVID-19 pandemic.
