Epic Games has revealed the Unreal Editor For Fornite (UEFN), now live in beta form. The PC app is a tool to create “games and experiences directly into Fortnite” utilizing similar tools available within the Unreal Engine.
Previously, Fortnite allows players to create their own experiences through the Creative toolset– which functions like Halo Forge and other custom map modes. But with UEFN, the dial is cranked so that creators can use the whole Unreal Editor- the interface used to create games and apps using the Unreal Engine- on top of the Creative toolset to make their experiences. So this will allow players to add custom Unreal assets altogether.
The 15-second shows a variety of different art styles and assets used, all not native to Fortnite, while still controlling a Fortnite character in the third person.
The footage is not just for show, Epic has published these as Fortnite Creative island codes. The military-themed one set in the desert is Deserted: Domination. The one with the giant dragon is Forest Guardian and the sci-fi-looking corridors are part of The Space Inside.
Not only that, Epic also announced what it’s calling Creator Economy 2.0. Epic will pay out and distribute 40% of net revenue from Fortnite Item Shop and real-money Fortnite purchases to all island publishers- creators- on a monthly basis.
How much a creator earns from the payouts is based on various metrics including island popularity, engagement, and attracting new players.
With Creator Economy 2.0, it’s also retiring Support-A-Creator from Fortnite. Previously, players must use a creator code to reward the creators of the islands.
All of this essentially boils down to Epic trying to do a Roblox. Roblox allows creators access to developer tools to create totally unique experiences and the ability to earn revenue for doing so.
It’s a natural progression of things, it looks like. And fascinatingly, this should get more creators familiar with the Unreal Engine, one of the leading game engines in the gaming industry used for making games and beyond (car infotainment systems are even using it, apparently). So it’s well worth getting down to tinker with the UEFN for the younger folks out there looking to add a useful skill to their resume, or for the older ones who want to upskill as well.
Source: Fortnite