‘Fortnite’ Latest News & Update: Lawsuits Over Dance ‘Emotes’ to Derail Game Success? Moneymaking Interrupted

Arguably the most popular video game in the world right now, “Fortnite” has earned a standing that not many other titles have been able to. However, this prestige is currently being threatened by lawsuits filed by celebrities who don’t appreciate their dance moves being used without permission. These lawsuits pertain to the “emotes” that players can use while in the game.

Among the people who are suing Epic are the rapper 2 Milly and Alfonso Ribeiro from the hit 90s sitcom, “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Both figures are accusing the game company of using their iconic dance moves without asking for the rights to them. As a result, they are now suing, and this could have a major impact on the momentum that “Fortnite” is currently enjoying.

For the most part, “Fortnite” is experiencing its rapid rise in popularity due to the reputation that it enjoys. This reputation translates to confidence in the players, thus allowing for better player retention. More important for the financial backers of Epic, it means more willingness to the company’s virtual goods, which translates to profit.

With this lawsuit, there could be a real threat to the ability of Epic to make money off of its “emotes,” skins, and the like. After all, there is no telling who would be lining up next to claim that the company made use of their move, their appearance, or their likeness without permission. The situation becomes even more problematic for “Fortnite” if the current lawsuits end in favor of the plaintiffs.

It seems that these lawsuits are not just being directed at “Fortnite” either since it would appear that the same plaintiffs are suing NBA 2K for the same reason. Will this spark yet another lawsuit trend in the video game industry or are these just an isolated case that will die down quickly?