Epic Games continues its ambitious quest to include characters from all over into its ever-expanding universe. But, while its influence has extended to mainstream media, most recently bringing in multi-awarded rap legend, Eminem, there’s a giant that Epic just can’t seem to make say yes – Nintendo.
Despite numerous attempts and collaborations with a broad range of franchises (and presumably humongous wads of cash to entice Nintendo), incorporating Nintendo’s characters in Fortnite remains an impossible challenge.
Sax Persson, Epic’s head of the ecosystem in Fortnite, expressed the challenges of negotiating with Nintendo for rights to their characters in an interview with Axios. He likened the difficulty to “making diamonds,” indicating the arduous if impossible nature of these efforts. Epic Games aspires to include iconic Nintendo characters like Mario, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, Link, Zelda, and Samus in Fortnite, but this venture has yet to see success.
The inclusion of characters from various universes is not new to Fortnite. The game has successfully featured characters from diverse domains such as Halo’s Master Chief, God of War’s Kratos, and icons from the entertainment industry like Indiana Jones, John Wick, and Spider-Man. The game has also celebrated popular celebrities by incorporating them into its world. However, Nintendo’s characters have remained elusive.
Nintendo’s hesitation might stem from the multiplatform nature of Fortnite, which enables characters like Sony’s Kratos to be accessible on Xbox consoles. This universality may be a sticking point for Nintendo, which traditionally maintains strict control over its intellectual properties. Former Nintendo public relations manager Kit Ellis provided insight into the company’s tight protection over its mascots, suggesting that Nintendo, with its decades of character and IP development, might not see the need to join Fortnite, which could potentially dilute its brand.
Epic Games’ previous collaboration with Nintendo in Rocket League, which saw the inclusion of a Samus-themed vehicle exclusively on Nintendo Switch, further illustrates the constraints of cross-platform content sharing. Fortnite, known for its cross-platform play, might not align with Nintendo’s business strategy, which often keeps its characters within its own ecosystem.
Despite these challenges, Epic Games remains hopeful. The gaming giant’s vision for Fortnite goes beyond a traditional battle royale format, evolving into a multifaceted platform with various modes of play. This evolution could open up new avenues for collaboration that align more closely with Nintendo’s brand values.
If it does happen, fans shouldn’t hold out hope for anyone from the Mario franchise to join Fortnite. Instead, the most likely platform-exclusive skins are Samus and Fox McCloud, which, despite maintaining child-friendly images, would be a better fit the branding of Fortnite.
Despite the endless and financial fruitful possibilities, Nintendo’s apprehension, possibly rooted in concerns over control and brand integrity, makes this collaboration uncertain.
As Fortnite continues to expand its horizons, incorporating various entertainment elements and celebrities, the pursuit of Nintendo characters symbolizes Epic Games’ ambition to bridge different cultures. Nevertheless, Nintendo’s storied history and established brand position make this a unique challenge, one that Epic Games acknowledges but has yet to overcome.
The contrast between Epic Games’ approach and Nintendo’s cautious stance highlights the diverse strategies within the gaming industry. While Epic seeks to create a cross-platform, cross-publisher, and cross-medium gaming experience, Nintendo remains focused on nurturing its well-established characters and IPs within its controlled environment.
It’s a strategy that has worked extremely well for the company over the years, with the Switch continuing to sell well in its twilight years. With exclusives like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the platform and brand’s strength remain as strong as ever. Thus, Nintendo doesn’t need Fortnite nor Epic Games. Instead, it’s the other way around.
As the industry continues to evolve, the potential for such collaborations remains an exciting prospect, albeit it remains fraught with complexities and challenges unique to the contrasting philosophies of the parties involved.
