Khaby Lame, primarily known for his wordless yet highly expressive TikTok videos, has made a groundbreaking transition into the realm of gaming. The social media star, who has amassed more than 160 million followers on TikTok, is now a playable character in the latest season of Epic Games’ Fortnite.
Becoming a Part of “Last Resort”
Chapter 4: Season 4 of Fortnite, aptly titled “Last Resort,” centers around a high-stakes heist theme. Players who have unlocked Lame’s “icon series” skin through the Battle Pass system can now role-play as the TikTok sensation, infiltrating vaults and dodging security cameras.
In a conversation with Variety, Lame expressed his excitement about the collaboration, noting that he has been a fan of Fortnite for years. “I started playing five years ago and sometimes I posted videos on YouTube or tagged Fortnite in stories. I was thrilled about this game,” he said.
A Collaborative Effort
It wasn’t just a matter of licensing his likeness for Lame. He was closely involved in the development process with Epic Games, focusing on the finer details such as his character’s outfits, appearance, and role in the game. “It was important to me to have full input on my character’s outfits, look, and role,” Lame explained.
First Reactions and Fan Response
The moment his skin went live, Lame had an emotional reaction. “It was surreal. I just stared at my character for a good 15 minutes, to be honest,” he said. The fan response has echoed his enthusiasm, with Lame noting that he enjoys when fans send him screenshots and shout-outs of them playing his character.
Joining the Icon Series
Lame’s integration into Fortnite follows a growing trend among social media influencers and creators like MrBeast and Jake Paul, who have also become playable characters in video games. His addition is part of Fortnite’s “icon series,” which has previously included famous streamers such as Ninja and TheGrefg.
The Greater Strategy of Epic Games
Epic Games continues its strategy of partnering with high-profile creators as it aims to evolve Fortnite into a platform rivaling Roblox in terms of user-generated content. Known as “Creator Economy 2.0,” Epic Games plans to offer a substantial portion of in-game revenue to players who create their own locations and mini-games.
Beyond the Virtual World
Though Lame’s venture into Fortnite is a notable milestone, he has bigger plans, including a career in Hollywood. He has already directed a short film that premiered during Sicily’s Taormina Film Festival and aims to expand his creative endeavors further.
Khaby Lame’s journey from TikTok fame to Fortnite is not just an exciting crossover for fans but also a significant marker in the evolving relationship between social media platforms and the gaming industry.