The Royal Canadian Legion has teamed up with Fortnite to create a virtual ‘Remembrance Island’. The memorial, in honour of Remembrance Day, is designed to recognise veterans and educate gamers
Today (November 11, 2019), Fortnite players are able to take some time away from their battles to honour and recognise Canada’s fallen.
According to a press release, the moment of silence at 11am on Remembrance Day has become lost to younger generations.
In an effort to reach this audience, the Royal Canadian Legion launched Remembrance Island, a custom Fortnite island.
Honour and recognise Canada’s fallen with Fortnite
“It’s our hope that young Canadians will take a few moments to visit this unique environment and learn about the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom,” said Freeman D Chute, senior program officer at the Royal Canadian Legion.
“As time goes on, we have to find new ways to reach young people and tell the story of Canadian veterans. This is a fantastic example of how to do just that.”
Remembrance Island features recreations of WW1 trenches, D-Day beaches, a Canadian military cemetery, the Vimy Ridge memorial cenotaph, and more.
It takes advantage of Fortnite’s graphics and effects – but, unlike standard gameplay, there is no fighting, damage or weaponry there.
Players follow poppies to the memorial cenotaph
The only objective is to discover the 30 museum-like information plaques and follow the poppies until gamers reach a memorial cenotaph at a central point of the island.
Players are encouraged to visit the cenotaph at 11pm, where they can start a party, have their own moment of silence and salute, and share images using #SaluteThePoppy.
Remembrance Island can be accessed in Fortnite’s Creative Mode using the island code 5053-3302-4847.
It was conceived by Wunderman Thompson and brought to life through a collaboration with a Fortnite Creative Builder called JXDVN.
No fighting or damage on Remembrance Island
“It’s such a great cause,” added Ari Elkouby, executive creative director of Wunderman Thompson. “Every Canadian gamer should visit Remembrance Island and take a few minutes to pay their respects.
“It’s been our absolute honour to work with the Legion to create something so new and unique. It’s rewarding on so many levels.”
Images: The Royal Canadian Legion
