Multiple video game companies have been showing solidarity for ongoing Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations across the United States by delaying events and announcements, with Sony's PlayStation 5 reveal delay tweet becoming the most-liked gaming-related tweet of all time. Epic Games announced it will be doing the same for Fortnite Season 3 and The Device event, marking the third delay for the anticipated new content release.
Season 3 was originally going to start on April 30, but was delayed until June 4, and then Fortnite delayed a second time, until June 11. The new season will now begin on June 17, while The Device event will occur on June 15, as "the team is eager to move Fortnite forward, but we need to balance the Season 3 launch with time for the team to focus on themselves, their families, and their communities" according to Epic Games.
Epic Games said that the fundamentals of equality, justice, diversity, and inclusion are "above politics," and that recent events including the death of George Floyd, other instances of police brutality, and the widespread movement that has followed are "a heavy reminder of ongoing injustices in society." Activision has also shown solidarity by delaying new seasons of content in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Mobile, and today Infinity Ward announced new measures to combat racist names when matchmaking.
Also delayed for Fortnite is the release of an icon skin based on streamer Loserfruit, as she announced that "it wasn't the right time." However, more fans of the free-to-play battle royale are likely affected by the Season 3 delay. Though it is for a much shorter period than the last two, clearly the new content has been a long time coming.
The build-up to that new content has suggested it will be primarily underwater themed in a flooded version of the game's map. Alongside that may be conceptually-fitting events such as a currently rumored crossover with the Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants.
Epic Games ends its announcement by apologizing for putting another delay so soon after the last, and thanks players for their "patience and understanding during these difficult times." As the United States enters its second week of Black Lives Matter protests, with much of the world also joining in, there are more important things to do than celebrate new releases in Fortnite.
Fortnite is free-to-play on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Source: Epic Games