Epic Games has announced it is delaying the launch of Fortnite’s Season 3 and The Device live event due to the current situation in the US, where protesters have taken to the street demanding justice against police brutality and wider social injustices. The company confirmed that The Device live event will now start of June 15th while Season 3 of Fortnite will begin on June 17th. This is not the first time Fortnite Chapter 2 season 3 has been delayed, with delays coming in April and then again in May.
The full statement from Epic Games is below:
Hey Fortnite community,
Recent events are a heavy reminder of ongoing injustices in society, from the denial of basic human rights to the impact of racism both overt and subtle against people of color. We’re acutely aware of the pain our friends, families, team members, players, and communities are experiencing.
We believe in equality and justice, diversity and inclusion, and that these fundamentals are above politics.
The team is eager to move Fortnite forward, but we need to balance the Season 3 launch with time for the team to focus on themselves, their families, and their communities.
The live event The Device will be delayed to Monday, June 15, and the Season 3 launch delayed to Wednesday, June 17. We know this delay comes on the heels of another one, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during these difficult times.
– Epic Games
The protests have spread through the US and around the globe following the killing of George Floyd. He died after police officer Derek Chauvin restricted his breathing by placing a knee across his neck, despite protestations from Floyd that he could not breathe. After days of protests, Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
George Floyd’s death was the latest in a long line of killings of black individuals by police through heavy handed approaches, and it seems to have been the spark that set off a powder keg. As the protests have spread, cities across the US have put curfews in place though this has not stopped confrontations between police and protestors, with many more instances of the police using violence without provocation being recorded over the last week.
Source: Epic Games
