Back in September 2017, a small survival game called Fortnite released a new mode titled "Battle Royale." Within just two weeks, Fortnite's Battle Royale mode had gained 10 million players, and its popularity has only continued to grow over the last five years. While Fortnite's tight gameplay and family-friendly nature are both major reasons behind the game's monumental success, it also owes quite a bit to its many crossovers, pulling in fans from across the pop-culture sphere. From Star Wars to Marvel crossovers, Fortnite has crossed over with countless pop-culture properties over the years, and it might be about to do it once more.
According to a recent report, Fortnite's next big crossover will be with EA's Dead Space, designed to coincide with the Dead Space remake's release later this month. With Fortnite being one of the biggest games on the planet, supposed leaks and rumors are constantly circulating around it, and while fans are always encouraged to take these leaks with a pinch of salt, that's especially true with the latest Dead Space rumor.
Dead Space May Be Too Adult for Fortnite
Every time a big-profile game, movie, or TV show is set to release, the Fortnite community begins speculating on if the game will cross over with it. This has become somewhat of a routine for the community, and to be fair, they're often correct. Shows like Disney's The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and The Walking Dead all received Fortnite tie-in skins and even some tie-in quests. So, when the community starts speculating that the upcoming Dead Space remake is set to get a Fortnite tie-in on January 23, right in time for its release date, it doesn't seem too outlandish.
However, the big sticking point is that an iconic horror video game that is quite brutal, Dead Space is rated M for mature by the ESRB. Taking inspiration from movies like Alien, Dead Space sees players control Isaac Clarke, an engineer trapped on a ship, forced to make his way through hordes of mutilated Necromorphs. One of Dead Space's main mechanics sees the player dismember these monsters in an attempt to slow them down. And if the Necromorphs get too close, they'll rip the player apart in a number of horrifyingly gory ways.
Fortnite is no stranger to crossing over with more adult-oriented properties, but Dead Space might be just a bit too much for the bright and colorful battle royale. Out of context, all of Fortnite's more adult-themed characters fit in fine with the game's brighter aesthetic. Kratos isn't murdering gods, the Resident Evil crew isn't blowing zombies' brains out, and the Doom Slayer isn't ripping and tearing his way through hell. While Isaac Clarke also wouldn't be going about his normal gory business, his appearance doesn't quite fit Fortnite's graphics art style, with his outfit being just as grim, gritty, and foreboding as the game it's from.
On a further note, Fortnite doesn't usually cross over with straight-up horror IPs. Resident Evil is quite action-based, The Walking Dead is much tamer than Dead Space, and Predator and Alien's iconography makes them an exception to the rule. Fortnite tends to stay away from properties that are solely marketed and consumed by an adult audience, making the rumored Dead Space crossover seem a little unlikely. That being said, this collaboration wouldn't be the first time Fortnite has gone against its own grain, and fans could end up seeing an Isaac Clarke skin after all, though they shouldn't expect any themed quests or Necromorphs to appear in-game.
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