Epic Games to enable Fortnite skins across other games with Unreal Engine 6

Epic Games has been touting the potential of an interoperable metaverse for years, though that vision hasn't yet become a reality. But with Unreal Engine 6, the next major version of its game development engine, Epic plans to take a big step toward that theoretical future: it will let developers make games that can use a player's Fortnite skins and will let developers build skins of their own that work with Fortnite. "We're tackling this problem first because we want to prove things out with a system that's complex enough to be a meaningful existence proof of the idea, and one that inherently comes with a ton of player value by respecting the investment that players have made in their Fortnite items," an Epic Games spokesperson said.

The company believes this move will allow developers to create more engaging experiences for players. Epic Games' Unreal Engine is widely used in the game development industry, powering popular titles such as Fortnite, Gears of War, and Mass Effect. Epic's vision for an interoperable metaverse involves allowing players to take their digital assets and identities across different games and experiences.

The company's efforts to enable cross-platform play and progression have been underway for years. Why this matters: Epic Games' plan to enable Fortnite skins across other games built with Unreal Engine 6 has significant implications for the gaming industry. If successful, this initiative could pave the way for a more interconnected gaming ecosystem, where players can seamlessly move between different games and experiences with their digital assets intact.

For developers, this could mean new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, as well as potential revenue streams through skin sales and licensing. For consumers, this could lead to a more cohesive and engaging gaming experience, with more flexibility and control over their digital identities. However, there are still many open questions about how this will work in practice, including issues around intellectual property, security, and player consent.

As Epic Games moves forward with this initiative, it will be crucial to address these challenges and ensure that the benefits of interoperability are shared fairly among all stakeholders.