Epic Games to rework Fortnite IP rollouts following creator backlash

After protests from creators over a delay in the launch of Fortnite’s official “Squid Game” integrations, Epic Games has said it will better coordinate future IP rollouts to align with the original properties’ release dates.

“Squid Game” is Netflix’s most popular series of all time, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at Fortnite. The platform is currently devoid of any creator-made “Squid Game” experiences — and not due to any lack of interest on creators’ part. Creators on one of the top gaming platforms are currently unable to monetize what has become one of the world’s most prominent media properties during the hype period following its June 27 release.

Fortnite has long been home to fan-made “Squid Game” islands, with titles like “Octo Game 2” and “Squid Guys” building organic audiences on the platform since the first season dropped in September 2021. But after Epic Games announced an official “Squid Game” licensing agreement with Netflix last month, the company started to crack down on these unlicensed experiences, removing them from the platform entirely. So far, the only sanctioned integration is a “Squid Game” section within “Reload,” an experience created in-house, not by the creator community.

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