Fire, in this case, is, of course, crypto.

Fortnite’s Epic Has ‘Close to 20’ Crypto Games in Store Pipeline

Epic Games has embraced crypto-enabled games in its online marketplace, with the five on there already finding some popularity.

But in April 2022, Lego's private investment firm invested a billion dollars in Epic Games, bringing the gaming company's valuation to $31.5 billion. This investment was made as part of a partnership to create a new metaverse using Epic Games' Unreal Engine, which is set to compete with popular games like Minecraft, as it will utilize Lego's building block concept to create virtual worlds. The potential success of this metaverse is expected to be high, given the popularity of Minecraft and the critical mass that Epic Games brings to the table.
It looks like a hard choice for Epic to embrace crypto or stay away from it.

Reputation risk is an enemy of market leaders.

Epic is aware of the reputational weakness that some crypto ventures carry and so will be intolerant of any “bad behavior” from gaming projects.

Epic is still being careful about keeping a financial distance from the crypto games that operate in its marketplace. Publishers are responsible for aspects such as transactions, customer service, and refunds, although Epic does keep a close eye on safety.
One key factor in the success of any metaverse is critical mass, and Epic Games already has an established community thanks to its popular game, Fortnite. They even hold concerts within the game that attract huge crowds. This investment from LEGO could help Epic Games expand its metaverse offering and attract even more users.

Can these two worlds be combined?

The partnership also opens up new opportunities for both companies, including creating NFT collectibles and events. It also strengthens Lego's position in the market, as they have already established themselves in movies and are now moving into the metaverse. Epic Games is not just trying to control the metaverse but power it.

While there are other smaller players in the world of metaverses, companies like Microsoft, Epic Games, and Lego have the critical mass and household name recognition to impact this space significantly. Epic Games, in particular, has a significant lead in terms of its established community and the popularity of its metaverse.
It's worth noting that there are other significant players in the metaverse race, including Facebook (now known as Meta), which has announced plans to create its metaverse. However, Epic Games seems to approach the metaverse from an entertainment perspective, while Meta focuses on more photorealistic avatars and other features.

Overall, the partnership between Lego and Epic Games is significant in gaming and metaverse. While it remains to be seen how successful it will be, the combination of Epic Games' technology and LEGO's brand could make for a compelling offering in the virtual world.

WHO IS THE OWNER OF EPIC GAMES?

Epic Games, founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney, is a leading video game and software developer headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. Known for its Unreal Engine technology, Epic has revolutionized game development with powerful tools for creators. The company is also recognized for popular titles like Fortnite, which have significantly influenced the gaming industry and culture. Epic Games continues to innovate, expanding its ecosystem through the Epic Games Store and fostering a strong community of developers and players worldwide.

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Play with Lego or play with fire?