Nike, the global sports apparel giant, has dropped a tantalising teaser on its official Twitter account, hinting at an upcoming collaboration with the immensely popular online game Fortnite. The teaser, shared on Friday, unveiled an “ultimate Sneakerhunt” event set to kick off on June 20 within the Fortnite universe. While Nike has previously introduced digital apparel in Fortnite, this latest tease holds a unique twist, featuring the logo of its .Swoosh NFT platform alongside Epic Games’ Unreal Engine logo. The collaboration appears to revolve around Nike’s renowned Air Max shoe brand, although specific details have yet to be disclosed by either Nike or Epic Games.
On 6.20 the ultimate Sneakerhunt begins. 🏙️🌬️ pic.twitter.com/QgMyA1uXRT
— Nike (@Nike) June 16, 2023
The inclusion of the .Swoosh NFT platform in the teaser implies that Nike is seeking to integrate its NFT offerings into Fortnite and potentially the broader Unreal Engine ecosystem. .Swoosh, Nike’s digital apparel platform built on the Ethereum scaling network Polygon, was launched last year and recently gained traction with the release of tradeable NFTs for the popular digital Air Force 1 sneakers known as “Our Force 1.”
This exciting collaboration comes on the heels of a recent announcement by EA Sports, the division of Electronic Arts responsible for acclaimed franchises like FIFA and Madden NFL, revealing a partnership with Nike and .Swoosh to incorporate apparel and accessory NFTs, referred to as “virtual creations,” in upcoming games. While details surrounding the integration of Nike NFTs within EA Sports titles remain scarce, this collaboration highlights the growing interest in merging NFTs with mainstream gaming experiences.
Fortnite, renowned for its massive player base and cultural impact, boasts an estimated 243 million players in the past 30 days, according to third-party data from ActivePlayer. Though slightly lower than its peak in May 2021, the online battle Royale shooter remains a dominant force in the gaming industry since its debut in 2017.
With previous success in generating substantial revenue through the sale of digital items, such as character skins and accessories, within its closed ecosystem, Fortnite has established itself as a powerhouse in the gaming market. However, these items have been limited to use within the Fortnite universe and lack interoperability. In contrast, NFTs offer the potential for seamless trading and cross-platform compatibility, making them attractive for users seeking enhanced value and versatility in virtual assets.
If the collaboration between Fortnite and Nike’s NFT platform materialises, it could mark a significant turning point for the popular gaming title. By embracing NFTs and partnering with a well-established brand like Nike, Fortnite has the potential to lead the industry in mainstream adoption of Web3 features and contribute to normalising the use of blockchain technology in gaming.
Decrypt reached out to Nike and Epic Games for further details regarding the anticipated collaboration, but as of now, no official response has been received. Nevertheless, the teaser video has sparked excitement among gamers and collectors, who eagerly anticipate the potential fusion of Fortnite’s immersive world with Nike’s digital fashion offerings through NFTs. As the collaboration unfolds, it has the potential to redefine the landscape of gaming and further establish NFTs as an integral part of the gaming experience.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or endorsement of any specific NFT projects or investments. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and exercise caution when participating in NFT purchases or investments.
