Fortnite, one of the most successful video games in history, is set to surprise players with its newest addition: a Holocaust museum. Designed by Luc Bernard, the creator of The Light in the Darkness, the first educational game on the Holocaust, the museum aims to improve Holocaust education and reach a younger audience.
The Light in the Darkness, released earlier this year, allows gamers to experience the harrowing journey of a Polish Jewish family trying to escape the Holocaust in France. The game has been downloaded worldwide and has gained popularity, particularly in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabians completing it the most.
Motivated by the need to enhance Holocaust education, Bernard and his team seized the opportunity when Epic Games opened up their Fortnite Unreal Editor. They created an interactive museum exhibition within the game, where players can explore various Holocaust topics. The museum not only focuses on the experiences of Ashkenazi Jews but also includes stories of Sephardi Jews in North Africa, LGBTQ+ Jews, and the Black Panther tank battalion who liberated Jews.
The Fortnite space has previously been utilized for educational purposes, such as a Martin Luther King Jr. event that allowed players to learn about Black history. The creators of that event have reached out to Bernard, emphasizing their shared goal of revolutionizing how gaming is perceived.
Improving Holocaust education is crucial as the last surviving witnesses pass away. However, concerns have arisen about younger gamers being exposed to environments that condone Holocaust denial. An investigation by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that many Holocaust deniers use social media platforms and online gaming communities to spread their conspiracies, with Fortnite being particularly singled out.
Bernard has defended Epic Games and Fortnite against these allegations. To ensure appropriate behavior in the upcoming museum, emotes and wall destruction capabilities have been disabled. While there are moderation concerns regarding usernames, Bernard praises Epic Games for their support in creating educational games and their commitment to combating hatred.
The release date for the Fortnite Holocaust Museum has not yet been announced.
How does the creator of The Light in the Darkness, Luc Bernard, address concerns about younger gamers being exposed to Holocaust denial in Fortnite
Fortnite, known as one of the most successful video games in history, is preparing to surprise players with its latest addition: a Holocaust museum. The creator of The Light in the Darkness, Luc Bernard, has designed this educational experience with the intention of improving Holocaust education and reaching a younger audience.
Earlier this year, Bernard released The Light in the Darkness, a game that allows players to embark on the challenging journey of a Polish Jewish family trying to escape the Holocaust in France. This game has been downloaded worldwide and has gained particular popularity in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabians completing it the most.
Motivated by the desire to enhance Holocaust education, Bernard and his team recognized the opportunity when Epic Games opened up their Fortnite Unreal Editor. They took advantage of the platform and created an interactive museum exhibition within the game, providing players with the opportunity to explore various aspects of the Holocaust. This museum not only focuses on the experiences of Ashkenazi Jews but also sheds light on stories of Sephardi Jews in North Africa, LGBTQ+ Jews, and the Black Panther tank battalion who played a significant role in liberating Jews.
Fortnite has previously embraced education through its space, such as hosting an event centered around Martin Luther King Jr. This event allowed players to learn about Black history, and the creators of that event have reached out to Luc Bernard, highlighting their shared goal of revolutionizing the perception of gaming.
Enhancing Holocaust education is crucial, especially as the last surviving witnesses pass away. However, concerns have been raised about younger gamers potentially being exposed to environments that promote Holocaust denial. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) conducted an investigation and discovered that many Holocaust deniers exploit social media platforms and online gaming communities to spread their conspiracy theories, with Fortnite being specifically mentioned.
Bernard has defended Epic Games and Fortnite against these allegations. To ensure a suitable environment within the upcoming museum, emotes and the ability to destroy walls have been disabled. While concerns exist regarding the moderation of usernames, Bernard commends Epic Games for their assistance in developing educational games and their dedication to combatting hatred.
The release date for the Fortnite Holocaust Museum has yet to be announced.
Wow, this is such a groundbreaking concept! It’s amazing to see how technology and gaming can be used to educate and raise awareness about such important historical events like the Holocaust.
I never thought I’d see the day when a video game could be a platform for educating people about the Holocaust. This is truly a unique and powerful way to reach younger generations and ensure that the lessons of history are never forgotten.