Fortnite has a history of exciting collaborations, but its latest partnership with oil giant Shell has caused quite a stir. The recent collaboration, titled “Ultimate Road Trips,” promotes Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline, which has left many in the community scratching their heads.
This collaboration comes on the heels of Fortnite’s successful venture with Jujutsu Kaisen in August. While the anime collaboration may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, teaming up with a company that has allegedly ignored climate change statistics and contributed to rising CO2 levels for decades is seen as a major misstep.
What makes matters worse is that this partnership with Shell comes just two weeks after Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, laid off 16 percent of their staff and raised the prices of their in-game microtransactions. This has led to widespread criticism of Epic Games on social media.
The irony of Fortnite partnering with a big oil giant like Shell has not been lost on players. Many took to social media to mock the collaboration, jokingly suggesting that a collaboration with Marlboro cigarettes could be next. Others have rallied behind the “StopShell” hashtag, expressing their disapproval of the partnership.
Shell’s marketing campaign for this collaboration seems to target a younger demographic, utilizing platforms like TikTok, Twitch, Instagram, and YouTube. Reports have surfaced that several Twitch streamers were sponsored by Shell to promote its products, further fueling the controversy.
In the game itself, Fortnite players can now drive through six different areas, with a Shell gas station serving as the centerpiece of each location. Players can choose their preferred vehicle to navigate the various courses on the map.
This collaboration marks a departure from Epic Games’ usual partnerships with video game characters, superheroes, and athletes. It has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the ethics of such collaborations.
It remains to be seen how this controversy will affect Fortnite and Epic Games in the long run. As of now, the community’s response has been largely negative, with many questioning the decision to partner with a company that has a questionable environmental track record.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
