Fortnite Can Be Used in Many Ways to Support Learning
Fortnite, one of the most popular games in the world, often evokes strong emotions, especially among parents. They might be concerned about how much time their children spend playing and the game's violent content, although the violence in Fortnite is quite cartoonish compared to many other shooting games. But what if I told you that Fortnite could also be a gateway to the world of art?
Yes, you read that right. Fortnite and art. That’s a combination you don’t hear about every day. In the Finnish National Gallery's project called “Art Heist,” Fortnite is taken to entirely new levels. This project is a unique opportunity for children and adults to dive into the world of art in a completely new way. The goal is to make art accessible to those who might never step foot in an art gallery. And the best part is, this art experience is designed to appeal to every family member.
How to Combine Fortnite and Art?
In the "Art Heist" project, Fortnite players encounter iconic Finnish artworks, such as Gallen-Kallela's classics, in a completely new environment, the Fortnite game world. This isn't just about shooting and building; it’s a highly interactive opportunity to learn about art in a memorable way. Participants can imagine themselves in the middle of a landscape where their task is to find a valuable artwork, protect it from wolves, and transport it safely to a gallery. This approach allows young people to explore art in a way that is natural and interesting to them.
Anna Laamanen, a representative of the Finnish National Gallery, describes the project as follows:
"Through this game project, we want to introduce art to those who might never visit museums or art galleries. Traditional art institutions, such as museums, don't always reach all segments of the population. Young men, in particular, are a group often left outside the cultural field."
Shared Gaming Time – A Bridge Between Generations
For many parents, Fortnite might seem like a game full of unknown rules and fast-paced, even chaotic action. The goals of the National Gallery and School of Gaming are quite aligned here. We both want parents and children to explore each other's worlds. The "Art Heist" project offers one concrete and visual way to do that. Playing together can be a fun and educational way to better understand each other’s worlds. And perhaps while playing, all of a sudden, the parent and child will notice how a Gallen-Kallela artwork has been integrated into the game and how saving the artwork becomes a shared mission. This kind of shared activity can open new doors to conversations and interactions and help people understand that gaming can be more than just entertainment, it can be very educational and enriching.
Fortnite and Game-Based Learning
Fortnite has evolved over time into much more than just a battle game. Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite and developer of the Unreal Engine, continually introduces new tools that allow children to participate in designing interactive worlds and learning to use graphic game engines and related technology tools. School of Gaming’s game educators are currently undergoing training to implement these tools, so we can offer even more learning opportunities through games.
The Bottom Line
The "Art Heist" project is a fantastic opportunity for parents and children to find common ground between gaming and art. It offers a new way to explore art and understand that games can also provide culturally enriching experiences. Perhaps the next time a child suggests playing Fortnite to their parent, they can sit down together and explore art through the game world. School of Gaming and the National Gallery hope this will be the start of a completely new kind of shared hobby!
School of Gaming organizes weekly Fortnite sessions for children and adolescents on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The playing sessions are run by our professional game-educators ensuring fun, safe and memorable gaming moments for gamers.