LOS ANGELES – Epic Games returns to Los Angeles this week for the annual showcase Electronic Entertainment Expo, commonly referred to as E3 by those in the video game industry.
Tim Sweeney
The Cary, NC-based independent studio led by cofounder and CEO Tim Sweeney has a massive booth set up in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center for June 11-13, offering the 15,000+ fans who are allowed access to the once industry-only trade show the ability to get hands-on with the world’s most popular game, Fortnite. Over 250 million gamers play Fortnite globally since the game launched in July 2017.
Fortnite’s success has helped propel Epic’s value to several billion dollars and status as a “unicorn” in private equity circles. But at E3, players and fans will be visiting Epic’s sprawling presence for the latest gaming news, not more information about the privately held company’s financial success.
The full-sized Battle Bus returns to E3 in Epic’s booth, which is offering fans who pay the $250 3-day E3 ticket fee the ability to play popular Fortnite Creative games with friends at the Time Trials, Arcade and Player vs Player stations. Epic is once again offering free snacks and prizes, while offering an entire store filled with merch.
Those looking for a more affordable alternative can purchase a $35 two-day ticket for the Fortnite Summer Block Party on June 15-16, which takes place right after E3 just down the freeway at The Forum in Inglewood.
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Epic is bringing 20 Fortnite characters to life at this giant video game playground. With activities both inside the famous arena and in its parking lot (which played host to Activision’s Call of Duty XP playground a few years ago), Epic is setting up island zipline rides, serving food from real-world Durr Burger, Pizza Pete’s, and Sofdeez Ice Cream Shop replicas. There will also be a Fortnite Mini Golf course featuring life-sized replicas from the video game. And Epic is offering a real-world Battle Pass challenge featuring collectible swag.
Of course, there will also be gaming competition. On June 15, eight teams of four will face-off in the Fortnite Creative Showdown, the first ever official Fortnite Creative tournament broadcast on the big stage. Fortnite creators and eight qualified players will work together to protect their Celebrity VIP as they battle for the title of Creative Champion. Epic is including a new player-made game designed just for the event.
Epic is connecting its E3 and Block Party activations by offering E3 attendees the ability to compete in a Time Trials challenge to win a spot on one of the eight competing teams. The winning team at the Block Party will be flown (with a friend) to New York City to watch the Fortnite World Cup Final July 26-28 at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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On June 16, the Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am returns – but with the new indoor location. Fifty creators and fifty celebrities will pair up to battle for the ultimate Victory Royale. Confirmed combatants include Ninja, Brendon Urie from Panic! At The Disco, Dillon Francis, KittyPlays, Cray and Jordan Fisher.
Epic has committed to sharing the wealth from the money the free-to-play Fortnite generates from in-game transactions. In addition to supporting its massive roster of streamers, the company committed to giving away $100 million in competitive prizes for 2019. Epic has been giving away $1 million weekly through its Fortnite World Cup Online Open qualifiers since April 13, running through June 16. That’s a 10-week span.
The upcoming World Cup Final features a $30 million prize pool for the 100 best Solo players and top 50 Duos teams from around the globe. Each one of those players will be guaranteed at least $50,000 and the Solo champion will earn a $3 million prize.
The action will take place in the largest tennis stadium in the world, which is home of the US Open Tennis Championships. Tickets for fans who want to take in the three-day event cost $50. Ticketholders will also gain access to the Fortnite Fan Festival, bringing the world of Fortnite to life with life-sized replicas of Blackheart’s Pirate Ship and Durrr Burger.
Endeavor — which manages WME, IMG, and UFC — is overseeing operations and logistics for these competitions. Last year’s Fortnite E3 Pro-Am at the Banc of California stadium in Los Angeles was the highest viewed Western esports tournament with over two million concurrent viewers across seven online platforms and 30 different channels.
Outside of its World Cup, Epic is also sustaining the competitive Fortnite community with weekly $1 million cash prize pools through the end of this year through a wide variety of modes and formats. Epic is also working with select partners around the world to seed prize money for other tournaments and competitions.
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Epic recently hired Nate Nanzer away from Activision-Blizzard, where he created the popular Overwatch League. He’s now helping Epic forge its path into esports.
Epic expands with Rocket League
Speaking of esports, Epic has a brand new game. With its recent acquisition of San Diego, CA-based Psyonix, Epic now has a second popular esports title under its banner – Rocket League. The soccer with vehicles game was actually created by former Epic employees using Unreal Engine 4. It quickly took the world by storm with its easy-to-follow format and open but challenging gameplay.
Rocket League esports has been featured on NBC Sports. And the upcoming Season 7 Rocket League World Championship will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey from June 21-23, 2019. The new format for the championship features 12 teams from around the globe, including the new South American region, playing in a group stage to single-elimination format. Tickets for the three-day event cost $45.
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