Devoted Studios Collaborated with Nike in Fortnite: Airphoria Vol.2

In 2024, Fortnite expanded their gaming experience with a series of exciting brand partnerships. And one of the most talked-about Fortnite collabs in 2024 is with Nike, a brand known for being one of the largest and best-recognized global sports and athleticwear brands.

To celebrate Air Max Day beyond the March 26 date this year, Nike launched a new project with Fortnite. Together with Devoted Studios, we created an amazing new gaming experience called Airphoria Vol.2.

Keep reading as we want to show you why we are so excited to be part of this Fortnite brand partnership project with Nike.

Nike Airphoria Vol.2: Entering the Dn Dimension

Our team at Devoted Studios played a great role in the development of Nike Airphoria Vol. 2, handling the project from the initial creative concept through to the final execution. Devoted Studios, working as UEFN developers, completed major tasks quickly, including creating two gameplay styles, four themes, and two islands, all while working within strict UEFN framework limits.

Highlights of Airphoria Vol.2

• Bringing Ideas to Life: With Nike leading the way with their creative ideas, Devoted Studios worked together with them to bring those ideas to life.
• 3D Modeling: We created detailed 3D models for props and environments, bringing the vibrant world of Airphoria to life.
• Visual Effects: Advanced camera effects, visual effects (VFX), lighting, and optimization improve the game’s look and performance.
• World-Building: We built a dynamic game environment with detailed world-building, set dressing, and level design.

The Development Journey for Nike Airphoria Vol. 2

Creating Nike Airphoria Vol. 2 was a challenging yet rewarding process. We aimed to replicate the success of Airphoria Vol. 1 with an all-new volume designed to show off Nike’s latest shoes. This new version features two islands, each with unique gameplay styles, offering players a diverse and engaging experience.

What Is the Development Process Like?

Our journey began with the goal of achieving a full UEFN experience within a tight timeframe. This required careful planning and efficient execution. As part of the Fortnite developer team, we focused on creating a seamless gaming environment, starting with the development of two distinct gameplay styles across two islands. Each island was carefully designed for a more unique experience, which contributes to the broader goals of Nike and Fortnite brand partnerships.

Feel the Unreal

One of the standout features of Nike Airphoria Vol. 2 is the “Feel the Unreal” experience. This journey begins with players starting the rail grinding experience from a point called “Internet Activated.” From there, players progress through “Air Max City,” an area filled with vibrant and dynamic elements designed to captivate and challenge.

Updraft Dash

As players advance, they reach the “Realm of the Airphorians” and encounter the Updraft Dash portal. This portal represents a significant milestone in the game, giving new challenges and opportunities for players. The journey continues as players move toward “Tilted Reality,” a place where they can further explore and immerse themselves in the game's world.

Get to Know the Project Scope

Developing Nike Airphoria Vol. 2 was an ambitious and challenging journey. Nike led the way with their creative ideas, and we worked together to bring them to life. With the goal of this project that is to blend Nike’s iconic branding with Fortnite. Our team worked diligently through various stages, from initial creation to final publishing, to guarantee that every element of the game was thoughtfully designed, seamlessly integrated, and optimized for player’s experience. 

Here’s an in-depth look at the comprehensive process we undertook to bring this innovative project to life.

Engineering

The engineering phase involved developing essential game mechanics and features. Key tasks included creating the central rail device, implementing checkpoints, designing a smooth respawn system, and developing diverse enemies and power ups. We also included an emoji collection to add fun and expressive communication options for players.

Art

The art team created and integrated 3D assets, environments, and lifelike animations. They enhanced the visual appeal with dynamic visual effects (VFX) and carefully integrated Nike’s branding to maintain authenticity within the game.

Game Design

The game design phase focused on core mechanics, creating power ups, developing level layouts, and designing hazards. We also created a difficulty curve based on client input to make sure that the game is challenging but at the same time does not feel like it is impossible to win.

To Publishing

The final step was publishing, which involved thorough testing to make sure all elements worked perfectly and any bugs were resolved. The game was then prepared for release, ready to launch to players.

Achievements and Wins

Despite tight deadlines and technical challenges, the collaboration between Nike, Devoted Studios, and Fortnite led to significant achievements:

• Timely Publication: The islands were published without technical issues, keeping the project on schedule.
• Positive Feedback: The project received praise for its creativity, execution, and overall impact.
• Enhanced Exposure: Meeting Epic's requirements ensured that the islands got maximum exposure, increasing player engagement and retention.

Challenges and Solutions

The development journey was not without its challenges. However, Devoted Studios implemented several solutions to overcome these obstacles:

• Asset Management: Managing the large number of assets required for Airphoria Vol.2 was challenging. Devoted Studios reduced the asset count and consolidated sections to streamline the development process.
• Optimization: Ensuring the game ran smoothly across different devices required significant optimization. Devoted Studios improved assets for faster updates and implemented solutions to fix server issues.
• Collaboration: Devoted Studios maintained close communication with all stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful project delivery.

The Future of Fortnite Branded Experiences

The success of Airphoria Vol.2 showed the potential of Fortnite branded experiences. Looking forward to the rest of 2024, we expect more exciting collaborations to make the gaming experience even better.

Fortnite’s ability to blend brand partnerships into its game offers a unique way for brands to connect with a diverse and engaged audience. We believe there are many benefits to collaborating with Fortnite. The game’s success with Nike's Airphoria Vol. 2, definitely has set the stage for future collaborations for many brands.

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