Fortnite's Festival is already set to corner the rhythm market by install base alone, introducing a Rock Band-like experience into Epic's ongoing everything game. In addition to LEGO Fortnite and Rocket Racing, it's clear that Epic's plans for total digital domination are close to coming to fruition.
Speaking to IGN, Epic EVP Saxs Persson and Harmonix studio director Alex Rigopulos discussed peripherals specifically. Rigopulos said of their implementation: "Not at launch, but it's very much a priority for us to support instrument peripherals in the game. It's something that we're actually already actively working on."
Fortnite Festival is a free-to-play game that exists inside Fortnite, offering a gameplay experience reminiscent of Rock Band. A constantly rotating setlist of songs will be rated in and out, giving players something to play, and premium music packs, as well as a Festival Season Pass, will be available for those who want it.
Developer Harmonix, the studio behind Rock Band, was acquired by Epic in 2021, and we are just now starting to appreciate Epic's ambitious vision. If you've still got that dusty old, slightly embarrassing plastic drum set somewhere in storage, you may want to locate it and leave it somewhere more accessible.