Fortnite launched a new feature allowing users to chat with one another

Fortnite launched a new feature that will allow users to chat with one another, even if they're not playing the game, and will be interoperable across platforms, meaning Xbox users can connect with PC users, per Endgadget. Fortnite counts 250 million players worldwide, and fans gravitate to the game for its vibrant community as much as they do for its actual gameplay. Business Insider Intelligence

This latest feature follows Epic's June purchase of group video chat app Houseparty and brings Fortnite one step closer to becoming a full-fledged social network. Fortnite players already have a reputation for logging on simply to hang out, and the game has implemented changes to more deeply facilitate that: For instance, earlier this year it expanded creative mode to allow players a non-violent place to engage. Fornite's new, cross-platform voice chat option is an even bigger step in that direction, as it centers on gamer relationships rather than gameplay itself.

It seems likely that Epic will eventually interweave video chatting features, adopted through Houseparty's technology, into the social extension of the game. Epic indicated that these features are just the start and that, "Party Hub creates new possibilities for syncing up with your squad and staying in touch with friends, and right now we're just scratching the surface of what's possible."

Given its already massive user base, Fortnite would be poised to branch out into the social space entirely, perhaps creating an entire second-life-like universe for users. Fortnite's moves should draw plenty of brand attention, but for now the game remains committed to preserving an ad-free environment, and brand opportunities are limited to relatively infrequent integrations. But at the very least, as Fortnite moves toward creating a more multipurpose world for users — rather than perfecting a single game — such integrations could grow more abundant.

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