Fortnite is creating a ‘metaverse for KIDS’ to rival Mark Zuckerberg’s virtual Facebook world

FORTNITE’S creators are building a special metaverse world for “kids to play”.

Epic Games has teamed up with toy giant Lego on the surprise project that could rival Mark Zuckerberg’s own virtual metaverse world.

Epic GamesEpic Games is responsible for Fortnite – a game often described as being part of the metaverse[/caption]

Lego / Epic GamesThe mystery partnership will produce a metaverse world[/caption]

The metaverse is like a collection of virtual worlds that users can live, work and play inside.

Now Epic Games has vowed to create an “immersive, creatively inspiring and engaging digital experience” for kids to enjoy.

The gaming giant said it wants to “shape the future of the metaverse” with Lego.

It’s unclear exactly what the pair will launch.

But it’s described as a family-friendly digital experience that will let children creator their own virtual worlds.

Similar metaverse games already exist like Minecraft and Roblox – both of which allow for virtual worlds to be created and enjoyed by multiple users online.

“Kids enjoy playing in digital and physical worlds and move seamlessly between the two,” said Lego chief Niels B Christiansen.

“We believe there is huge potential for them to develop life-long skills such as creativity, collaboration and communication through digital experiences.”

It’s possible that the metaverse world may be a brick-based builder like Minecraft, given the involvement of Lego.

And it’s almost certainly going to multiplayer, as it’s being touted as a metaverse project.

“The LEGO Group has captivated the imagination of children and adults through creative play for nearly a century,” said Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney, who helped to create Fortnite.

“And we are excited to come together to build a space in the metaverse that’s fun, entertaining, and made for kids and families.”

Red alert

But experts are increasingly worried about online safety in the metaverse.

The Sun recently spoke to experts who warned that the metaverse is a “playground for paedophiles”.

Users create avatars in the metaverse that roam the rapidly developing and immersive 3D digital world and interact with people from around the globe.

“The metaverse’s one-to-one, immersive conditions make it easier for
bad actors to persuade, mislead and manipulate,” according to a March 2022 Common Sense Media report.

“The deceptive possibilities of bots, ‘deep-fakes,’ AR-altered realities are daunting, especially for tweens, who will have trouble discerning what or who is real.”

Lawyer Patrick Roberts, of the North Carolina-based Roberts Law Group, said it’s “easy” to go from the metaverse to video chats to distribution of explicit material.

“We’re talking about a matter of minutes,” he said. 

“Predators can meet kids through child-friendly avatars, gain their trust in the metaverse and then take their interactions offline. 

“That can mean meeting up in real life or chatroom conversations and video chats where a child can be talked into disrobing.”

Safety first

As part of its announcement, Lego CEO Christiansen said safety was a top priority.

“We have a responsibility to make [the metaverse] safe, inspiring and beneficial for all,” toy mogul Christiansen explained.

“Just as we’ve protected children’s rights to safe physical play for generations, we are committed to doing the same for digital play.

“We look forward to working with Epic Games to shape this exciting and playful future.”

Tech giant Meta (formerly Facebook) has poured billions of dollars into building the “metaverse” already – and recently vowed to hire another 10,000 staff to work on the project.

“This isn’t about spending more times in screens. It’s about making the time we already spend better,” said Zuckerberg, speaking about the metaverse.

“The next version of the internet can.”

Speaking to journalists including The Sun, Facebook VR boss Andrew Bosworth described the company’s bold vision.

“The metaverse is a set of virtual 3D spaces where you can share immersive experiences with each other when you can’t be together,” Bosworth explained.

“What comes after the internet? Instead of looking at a screen, you get to be in the experiences.

“You don’t have to experience it in VR. Most people initially will experience it on screens they already have.”

He described it as “the next generation of the internet”.

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