Epic shows off ‘Minecraft-inspired’ new IP

Epic Games says its new title Fortnite was inspired by Mojang’s smash hit creation game Minecraft.

Gears of War creator Epic revealed its new IP Fortnite at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards on the weekend. Like Minecraft, it focuses on allowing gamers to construct their own buildings.

Minecraft was an inspiration for sure,” said Epic Games’ lead designer Lee Perry on Twitter.

Minecraft lets you build anything, [but] we are focusing on constructing ‘buildings’ specifically. [We have] no information to give with regards to Fortnite’s platform or timeframe.”

Epic’s design director Cliff Bleszinski said that there won’t be any dudebros” in Fortnite – the kind of gruff, stocky soldiers which are famously included in its popular Gears of War shooter series.

Gears of War 3 has sold over 3m copies since it went on sale in September. The series has grossed over $1bn in lifetime sales to date.

You can watch the trailer to Fortnite below: