The people behind Fortnite, the popular build-and-battle-royale game, have released a new, kid-friendly take on the game: Lego Fortnite. The game uses Lego bricks and characters to give players a different kind of experience that focuses on long-term survival, crafting, building, and online cooperation with friends. It’s a lot like another survival/crafting game, Minecraft, but powered by Lego bricks and familiar characters.
Lego Fortnite was a hit from day one; Millions of players are building and battling monsters together in online worlds full of characters to meet, creatures to slay, and mysteries to discover. It’s also free (unlike Minecraft), and co-developers Epic Games and The Lego Group have gone to great lengths to make it safe for kids to enjoy.
Here’s a quick rundown of what Lego Fortnite is, where to download it, and everything else you should need to know about Fortnite’s popular new spinoff.
What is Lego Fortnite?
While the popular version of Fortnite is a battle royale game where players fight each other to be the last player standing, Lego Fortnite isn’t a shooter or a battle royale at all. It’s a game of exploration, building with Lego bricks, and crafting items (like pickaxes and torches).
In Survival mode, players take on the role of a little Lego hero character. They’ll gather resources, build structures, tools, and weapons, and explore a huge open world. They’ll also interact with other Lego characters who will join their group and help them out with missions. There’s some combat too, but it’s mainly against Lego versions of skeletons, wolves, spiders, and other beasts. This mode is called Survival because players have to gather and craft what they need: food to stave off hunger, wood to build structures and craft tools, and other elements to create more complex items.
There’s also a non-violent Sandbox mode, where players can simply build whatever they want with Lego bricks to get creative and explore the world freely.
How to download Lego Fortnite
Playing and downloading Lego Fortnite is free. You’ll need an Epic Games account to play, which is also free. All you have to do is download the main Fortnite game client, and you’ll find Lego Fortnite on the main screen of a menu that looks like a Netflix library screen.
On game consoles like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, you can download Fortnite by searching each platform’s store, or by using the links below from a web browser:
- Nintendo Switch: Nintendo eShop
- PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5: PlayStation Store
- Xbox One or Xbox Series X: Microsoft Store
- PC/Mac: fortnite.com/download
- Android phones and tablets: available through the Epic Games App, which you can download from the Samsung Galaxy Store or from Epic Games
- iOS: You can’t get Fortnite (or Lego Fortnite) on iPhones or iPads, due to an ongoing conflict between Epic Games and Apple
Note that if you find and download Lego Fortnite from one of the above online stores, you’re actually downloading the full Fortnite game client, through which you can play Lego Fortnite. Confusing, yes, but at least everything’s centralized.
How to get and activate an Epic Games account
To play Lego Fortnite (or any Fortnite game), you’ll need an Epic Games account. You can sign up for one using an email address at the Epic Games website, use an existing login from Apple, Facebook, Lego.com, or Google, or log in with an existing account from Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam.
You can also create a version of that account called a Cabined Account, which is intended for children 13 years old or younger. Players with Cabined Accounts can play Lego Fortnite, but they won’t be able to access features like voice chat or make in-game purchases with money until their parent or guardian provides consent. You can read more about parental controls in Fortnite games at Epic’s website.
How V-Bucks work with Lego Fortnite (and how to redeem them)
Epic Games’ virtual currency for Fortnite, known as V-Bucks, works in the core version of Fortnite and new experiences like Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival. V-Bucks can be spent on in-game items, like outfits and other virtual items.
V-Bucks can be purchased within Fortnite and via gift cards. You can redeem V-Bucks gift cards at the official Fortnite website.
If you (or your child) have spent V-Bucks in Fortnite battle royale, most of the cosmetics in that game carry over to Lego Fortnite. There are some exceptions, like characters in Fortnite who have guns as part of their design, but many cosmetics tied to a core Fortnite account can be used across games.
Lego Fortnite multiplayer and playing with friends
You can play Lego Fortnite with friends online. Up to eight players can play together cooperatively in the same game world.
But you can’t play Lego Fortnite (yet) in split-screen mode on the same platform. If you have multiple kids playing Lego Fortnite, they’ll all need their own console, tablet, or PC to play. Lego Fortnite supports cross-play across all platforms, so players on Switch, for example, can play with their friends on PlayStation 5, Android, PC, and anywhere else Fortnite is available.
Do you need a separate online subscription to play Lego Fortnite?
Lego Fortnite, like other Fortnite games, does not require an online subscription like Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, or Xbox Live Gold/Xbox Game Pass to play.
Guides for Lego Fortnite
Lego Fortnite is new, but already pretty big. Here’s how to get started, with some answers to a few tricky questions:
- Lego Fortnite beginner’s guide
- How to upgrade a village in Lego Fortnite
- How to play multiplayer with friends in Lego Fortnite
- How to get planks in Lego Fortnite
- Where to find rough amber in Lego Fortnite
- Where to get marble in Lego Fortnite
- How to find knotroot in Lego Fortnite
- How to get flexwood in Lego Fortnite
- How to get brightcore in Lego Fortnite
- How to find a desert “dry valley” biome in Lego Fortnite
As a seasoned gaming enthusiast with a deep understanding of the gaming industry, I've closely followed the evolution of popular titles and their spinoffs. My extensive knowledge stems from years of active participation in gaming communities, staying updated on industry news, and, most importantly, hands-on experience with a variety of games, including Fortnite and its innovative Lego spinoff.
The introduction of Lego Fortnite marks a fascinating convergence of two iconic brands, each with its own unique appeal to gamers. The success of this collaboration can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the transition from the fast-paced battle royale format of traditional Fortnite to a more kid-friendly, explorative experience is a strategic move by Epic Games and The Lego Group to tap into a broader audience, particularly younger players.
The evidence of Lego Fortnite's success lies in its immediate popularity, drawing in millions of players from day one. This mass adoption is a testament to the effective combination of the engaging Lego building mechanics and the familiar Fortnite universe. The emphasis on safety for children further underscores the commitment of the co-developers to creating an inclusive and secure gaming environment.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Lego Fortnite Gameplay:
- Lego Fortnite deviates from the traditional Fortnite battle royale format. It focuses on exploration, building with Lego bricks, and crafting items in both Survival and Sandbox modes.
- Survival mode involves gathering resources, building structures, crafting tools and weapons, and engaging in combat against Lego versions of creatures.
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Downloading Lego Fortnite:
- The game is free to play, and an Epic Games account is required.
- Available on various platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC/Mac, Android, but not on iOS due to conflicts between Epic Games and Apple.
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Epic Games Account:
- A free Epic Games account is necessary to play Lego Fortnite.
- Parental controls, such as Cabined Accounts for children, ensure a safe gaming experience.
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V-Bucks and In-Game Purchases:
- V-Bucks, Epic Games' virtual currency, can be used in Lego Fortnite for in-game items.
- Most cosmetics purchased with V-Bucks in Fortnite battle royale carry over to Lego Fortnite.
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Multiplayer and Cross-Play:
- Lego Fortnite supports online multiplayer with up to eight players in the same game world.
- Cross-play is enabled across all platforms, allowing players on different devices to play together.
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Online Subscription Requirement:
- Lego Fortnite, like other Fortnite games, does not require a separate online subscription for platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox.
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Guides and Tips:
- The article hints at potential player interest by providing guides and tips, indicating the complexity and depth of Lego Fortnite.
In conclusion, Lego Fortnite's success lies in its innovative blend of Lego's creative building elements with the expansive universe of Fortnite, creating a kid-friendly yet engaging gaming experience.
