• Loading stock data...
Monday, May 6, 2024

Virtual Socialization

Fortnite Crowd
Photo Credit: Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports
Mass multiplayer online video games are quickly moving into the entertainment and socialization spaces. Most prominent is the free-to-play battle royale game Fortnite, which has added a growing number of entertainment options beyond the actual game itself. In April, rapper Travis Scott virtually performed to 12 million fans and last month, the game debuted a space dedicated to socializing. 

Tonight, the DJ Diplo will release his latest album with a performance on Fortnite and on Friday the game will screen three Christopher Nolan feature films – it debuted a trailer for his latest film Tenet recently.

Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, has used these efforts to continue to drive players to the nearly three-year-old game. The company reported that it had 350 million registered users in May, an increase of 100 million compared to a year earlier. Epic Games is finishing up a $750 million round of funding, which will value it at $17 billion. 

But it’s not just Fortnite. The game platform Roblox recently hosted a benefit concert that featured Lady Gaga and Paul McCartney, and will also premiere movie clips and actor interviews this summer. 

The events can be developer-driven, but others are hosted by other third parties, like Minecraft’s upcoming four-day Rave Family Block Fest that costs $10 for general entry. While the in-game events were already trending upward, the pandemic has reportedly accelerated the interest in finding new ways to socialize virtually.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 6, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (1) of the Netherlands walks through the garage area following qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome.

Max Verstappen Is Unstoppable. Is That Hurting F1 With New American Fans?

Formula One could be facing an inevitable plateau in the United States.
Apr 17, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse (67) celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at Mullett Arena.

Everything to Know About the Coyotes’ Second Chance at NHL Life

The clock is ticking in order to restart a Phoenix expansion team.
Feb 9, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Former quarterback Matt Ryan arrives before the Legends NFL Party.

Why Both Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason Are Out at CBS Sports

Matt Ryan, 38, is joining ‘The NFL Today,’ pushing out two mainstays.

Just Like We Drew It Up? Stadium Renderings Can Excite, Confound, and Anger

During a historic wave of development, drawings wield more power than ever.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Phil Simms on His CBS Departure and Today’s NFL

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The scene in the green room behind the NFL Draft Theater in Detroit on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Thirteen college players who will be picked in the first round will be waiting in this large room with friends, family, agents and college coaches on Thursday night.

More NFL Draft Prospects Are Staying Home, and TV Networks Are Adjusting

Whether making or missing out on millions, more prospects are staying home.
April 21, 2024

Everything You Need To Know About the Legal Attempts To Kill the ACC

Four lawsuits involving the conference, Clemson, and FSU could determine the future.
April 20, 2024

A Bare-Knuckle Fighter Won His Pro Debut. The Far Right Scored a Marketing Win

With Proud Boys sponsoring him, experts say extremist groups will use his success to elevate their ideologies and recruit new believers.
April 7, 2024

Women’s Basketball Finally Has a TV Deal to Match the Excitement. Now What?

A lucrative new media-rights contract could rectify problems of the past, but the future of March Madness media rights is anyone’s guess.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
FanDuel
Multiple - USA Careers

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
Sponsored

Rapid Returns: How Technology Is Getting You Back to Your Seat

How Oracle’s POS technology is helping fans get back to their seats faster.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.
manfred_at_microphone
August 19, 2021

MLB Owners Propose $100M Salary Floor

Major League Baseball owners have proposed a $100 million payroll minimum for MLB’s 30 teams and a lower luxury tax threshold.
nfl_logo
July 23, 2021

NFL to Players: Get Vaccinated or Pay the Price

The NFL’s threatening to drop the financial hammer on un-vaccinated players and teams that cause forfeited games in 2021, according to memo.