Fortnite held its annual Pro:Am this weekend and part of it included an animated skit in which some of its famous skins were given voices.
In the relatively short amount of time it has existed, Fortnite has become so much more than just a video game. It has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that has infiltrated parts of our lives we never imagined it would. Whether it be players using Fortnite emotes as celebrations during the soccer World Cup final or the massive crossover event between the game and Marvel.
The movie world isn't the only way in which Fortnite has leaked out of our phones, consoles, and PCs commercially. Official Fortnite nerf guns and skateboards are now real things you can physically buy and own, as is Fortnite Monopoly. All of those items hone in on the fact that a large chunk of Fortnite's audience is children.
The game's cartoon-like style is largely why it has attracted a predominantly younger audience. However, as pointed out by Polygon, Epic appears to be doing more with that than others have done in the past. At Fortnite's Pro:Am event this past weekend, a short clip played during which some of Fortnite's skins were given voices. It wasn't to promote a new season, it was merely created to entertain.
The minute-long animated short focuses around the game's lobby. Three players, all wearing similar skins to one another, are patiently awaiting their fourth. When he arrives, he is wearing the Fishstick skin. That leads the quartet to have a heated debate over taking the game seriously and wanting to intimidate their rivals. Clearly, Fishstick Guy doesn't get it as he then changes into the Mullet Marauder.
We had never really given much thought to aesthetically matching up with our teammates on Fortnite. Maybe that means we are the Fishstick Guy in our respective groups. We do almost always don the Peely skin because come on, let's be honest, it's hilarious. Come to think of it, if our squad members were Peelies too then it would be even funnier. Either way, perhaps its time to sit down the Fishstick Guy in your squad and have a talk about taking Fortnite more seriously.