A Martin Luther King exhibit has been added to Fortnite and people aren’t too sure about it
March Through Time. (Epic)
Epic has created a Martin Luther King exhibit in Fortnite.
The move is, at least, well-intentioned and aims to teach players about racial injustice and the legacy of Dr. King. The exhibit has been created with TIME magazine.
“Celebrate the life and work of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a new interactive experience presented by TIME Studios,” Epic announced.
“Developed by members of the community in Fortnite Creative, March Through Time immerses players in the entirety of Dr. King’s monumental ‘I Have A Dream’ speech and the history surrounding it.”
Celebrate the work of Dr. King in March Through Time presented by @TIME, an interactive experience by @Chasejackman1, @GQuanoe, @XWDFr, and @YU7A_16 in @FNCreate
Explore a reimagined DC, listen to Dr. King’s historic speech and more.https://t.co/FWs9BPWk31 pic.twitter.com/tmPhFnP6wL
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 26, 2021
The March Through Time interactive museum includes extracts from Dr. King’s historic speech, as well as landmarks and minigames to reflect 1963’s Washington DC during the Civil Rights Movement’s March.
Says Epic: “These activities progress players through the experience and bring to life important themes of Dr. King’s speech: we move forward when we work together.”
With the huge reach and mass appeal of Fortnite, this exhibit will undoubtedly introduce the work of Dr. King to a wide audience.
At the same time, the juxtaposition of racial injustice with all the cartoon characters and dabbing Fortnite is known for seems a little bit incongruous.
Entering the exhibit, Dr. King’s speech begins to play as players land by the Lincoln Memorial. “Every person in this world has a light, a voice they can raise to make change,” reads the welcome instructions.
Around the Reflecting Pool leading to the Washington Monument are quotes from the speech. At the centre is a virtual gallery with iconic photographs of the civil rights movement.
There are also minigames like four-player races and a platforming challenge “to reach the heights of justice”, as well as a quiz and a lightboard for those who complete all the puzzles.
Taking part also nets players a D.C. 63 spray item. Then when you’re done, you can jump straight back into matches to headshot other players.
The museum is a moving tribute that’s somewhat undermined by the likes of Superman, Xenomorphs and a whole herd of Ariana Grandes collectively running around.
Yet it’s also undoubtedly a thoroughly modern and accessible way of learning about history.
The reaction online has, understandably, been mixed. Some have been positive about the potential of the museum.
Wow good on @FortniteGame for this. Teach the children https://t.co/THXbQiSKc6— iamBrandon?️? (@iamBrandonTV) August 26, 2021
This is a rare W from Fortnite, letting their audience know about Dr. King— Mohamed Enieb (@its_menieb) August 26, 2021
Respect to Epic for this!
Go give it a watch if you got time, the speech is great. And checkout MLK's documentaries if you can! https://t.co/ddCeSYmw12— HYPEX (@HYPEX) August 26, 2021
But others pointed out that it’s also a little bizarre.
This isnt real #PS4sharehttps://t.co/4biMrnZ98W pic.twitter.com/KOjwoinHaI
— Mlick (@Mlickles) August 26, 2021
Hearing some white kid recognize MLK as the guy from Fortnite as they attempt to remove him from classrooms is going to be my fucking villain origin story https://t.co/YLBPzOgXkg— Zaire (@Zlanier21) August 26, 2021
PlayStation: “Putting MLK in Fortnite is a good idea!”
MLK: pic.twitter.com/SJonJiODK9— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) August 26, 2021
MLK in Fortnite because corporate America thinks Black Liberation is a GAME pic.twitter.com/CbGWKYo0YE— subscribe to www.baddie5000.com (@baddie_5000) August 26, 2021
What do you think about the museum? Feel free to drop us a line!
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