Published on: 08/04/2022

Epic, LEGO collaborate to build metaverse for children

The developer behind hit battle royale title Fortnite, Epic Games announced its recent partnership with LEGO to create a virtual space or the metaverse for children.

According to a statement released on Epic’s website, the two parties are set to team up to create an immersive and “engaging digital experience” for children of all ages.

“The LEGO Group and Epic Games today announced they are entering a long-term partnership to shape the future of the metaverse to make it safe and fun for children and families. The two companies will team up to build an immersive, creatively inspiring and engaging digital experience for kids of all ages to enjoy together,” Epic said.

“The family-friendly digital experience will give kids access to tools that will empower them to become confident creators and deliver amazing play opportunities in a safe and positive space.”

More on Epic, LEGO’s partnership

There are not many details available about the partnership at the moment other than the two parties are aiming for a digital space friendly for children. Moreover, both parties are aware that the metaverse is reshaping how people socialize with each other.

With that knowledge, the two are not only interested in developing one for children but ensuring the next iteration of the internet is designed with children’s wellbeing in mind.

“The LEGO Group and Epic Games will combine their extensive experience to ensure that this next iteration of the internet is designed from the outset with the wellbeing of kids in mind,” the statement reads.

Additionally, both parties have provided three ideas of how they would set forth and deliver digital spaces “deliver engaging play opportunities safely” such as; 1) upholding safety and wellbeing as the top priority to protect children’s rights; 2) safeguarding and prioritizing children’s privacy; and 3) empower both adults and children over their digital experience with tools that are given to them.

Epic CEO and founder Tim Sweeney shared the company’s excitement to work alongside LEGO in the partnership and appears to have been optimistic about going on forward.

“The LEGO Group has captivated the imagination of children and adults through creative play for nearly a century, and we are excited to come together to build a space in the metaverse that’s fun, entertaining, and made for kids and families,” Sweeney said.

Perhaps in a creative sense, the partnership is one that makes sense. Epic is known for its seemingly infinite ideas of pushing and adding creative content in Fortnite. Such effort has ensured Fortnite longevity and popularity since the game’s initial release in mid-2017.

Adding to partnering with Epic, The LEGO Group CEO Niels B Christiansen shared his two cents on the matter, adding there is a huge potential for lifelong creativity in the metaverse alongside the responsibility to make these digital spaces safe and inspiring for everyone, primarily children.

“Kids enjoy playing in digital and physical worlds and move seamlessly between the two. We believe there is huge potential for them to develop life-long skills such as creativity, collaboration and communication through digital experiences,” Christiansen said.

“But we have a responsibility to make them safe, inspiring and beneficial for all. Just as we’ve protected children’s rights to safe physical play for generations, we are committed to doing the same for digital play. We look forward to working with Epic Games to shape this exciting and playful future.”