Epic Games’ Fortnite is known for having different crossover events which merge pop culture themes with the game. These have included crossovers where movies, music, or television become part of the game. It appears based on some recent data discovery that a major upcomimg horror film could be featured in the game for their next big event.
According to a report from Hot Hardware, if the recently discovered data inside Fortnite code is right, then the movie IT based on Stephen King’s classic horror novel could be an upcoming crossover in the video game. Reportedly, data miners found some items called “Illinois Laugh” which sound close to Pennywise the Dancing Clown’s laugh in the horror film. Additionally, data miners discovered parts of the code with a “CreepyBalloon” file which is an image that is close to the trademark balloon the clown uses to entice his victims in the movies.
Apparently, the various files are slightly different than what the IT movie or book has to try to throw data miners off. The novel is set in a fiction town called Derry located in Maine, so there is no Illinois as part of IT. Also, the balloon that data miners discovered was a light pink color rather than the bright red balloons seen in the film or on the book covers.
With most Fortnite crossovers, the game includes special skins such as costumes, emotes, and other gear that gamers can purchase for use with their characters. Additionally, there are often missions or challenges related to the crossover theme. A recent Borderlands 3 video game crossover provided gamers with a special “Pandora rift” challenge in the game.
Fortnite has linked up with TV shows, films, and musicians including recent collaborations with Marshmello and Major Lazer. Epic games has brought movies into the game including Avengers or John Wick 3 and also the Netflix series Stranger Things. The John Wick crossover was considered ambitious based on it being a violent R-rated film. However, it’s already considered a surprise that they may include an R-rated horror film as a theme for their new crossover.
As far as when the Fortnite/IT crossover event will take place, that’s still unknown but it could line up with later in September or closer to Halloween. The sequel movie IT Chapter 2 is set to arrive in theaters on Friday, September 6, 2019 so the crossover will most likely arrive after the film’s release.
Dil Bole Oberoi
