The Weeknd Tapped To Headline Epic Game’s ‘Fortnite Festival’

The Weeknd has been tapped to headline Fortnite’s Festival game mode. Epic Games revealed it will be released on Saturday (Dec. 9). According to the press release, Fortnite Festival will be the first entirely music-focused mode to be introduced to the Battle Royale game. It will also be developed by Harmonix—the studio responsible for the successful Rock Band video game franchise.

“Fortnite Festival is a new music game where players can play in a band with friends or perform solo on stage with hit music by their favorite artists,” the press release details. The Weeknd will be featured as the first headlining act.

According to iFireMonkey, players can buy The Weeknd x Fortnite collab through a “Festival Pass.” The in-game purchase will grant rewards like new microphone design, two new bass designs, three Songs, a keytar design, new “Boombox” aura, loading screen, and a The Weeknd Skin.

The announcement arrives on the heels of Eminem’s Fortnite debut. According to video game data miners ShiinaBR, iFireMonkey, FNBRintel, and HYPEX, Epic Games brought the Detroit emcee and a live concert to Fortnite. However, the Fortnite Slim Shady skin may have been leaked.

The leaker posted two pictures of Em’s cosmetics with a look at his loading screen and his Alfred Hitchcock-inspired Music To Be Murdered By (MTBMB) costume.

ShiinaBR shared a closer look at the MTBMB costume with a hi-res screen grab. The photo shows the character’s “idle” stance, waiting for a game to begin. Another leaker, DrCacahuette, uploaded pictures showing Em’s Slim Shady skin, rocking a sweatsuit, headphones, and a white shirt donning his signature “Shady” logo. iFireMonkey also shared pictures of the rapper wearing his Jason Voorhees-esque mask from his iconic Anger Management Tour.

Fans got to experience the live in-game concert on Saturday (Dec. 2). Those who attended the in-game show received a special “Marshall Magma” costume. The special skin is an edited version of the MTBMB cosmetic with streams of lava bursting from the character’s face. Eminem’s music will be incorporated in some capacity for the Chapter 4 finale event as well.

The announcement also mentions that the event will usher in a new era for the live-service shooter.

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