When something becomes extremely popular I tend to avoid it at all costs. Game of Thrones? Never seen it. GTA? Never played it. It’s not a snooty cultural elitist trait that I take pride in, but something about (seemingly) the whole world saying “you should do this!” makes me dig in my heels and turn the other way.
Up until very recently, I had never played Fortnite. I recall the colossal wave of excitement surrounding the Battle Royale game in 2017/2018 and how I rolled my eyes and wrote it off in my brain as a short-term fad.
Fast forward to September 2026, and I am standing inside the Fortnitemares scare zone at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights gulping down my words like a Chug Jug.
Actors dressed in Fortnitemares skins leap out from behind detailed set pieces. Some pause to emote with fans, and the only thing brighter than the gorgeous purple storm lighting effect is the smiles on guests’ faces.
Initially stepping in, I had no idea what was going on in this theme park attraction. No frame of reference for the actor sporting a striking half-bear / half-tomato face - who I now know to be a fiendish blend of Fortnite's Cuddle Team Leader and Tomatohead skins.
No connection to the giant Battle Bus that was parked in the centre. No burning desire to raid every chest. No appreciation for the expertly crafted guns and weapons in the hands of the performers.
The only thing I knew was that Fortnightmares at Halloween Horror Nights was making one hell of a first impression, with its dynamic sound design and staggering theatrical scale. While the majority of guests were Fortnite fans appreciating all the game references in real life, I was an outsider, quietly falling in love with another world.
هەفتانە هەرسکردنەکان، چیرۆکەکانی ئەو کۆمەڵگایانەی کە خۆشت دەوێن و زۆر شتی تر
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fortnite/how-a-trip-to-universals-halloween-horror-nights-got-me-hooked-on-fortnite
