How a Theme Park Trip Turned Me Into a Fortnite Fan

Ever been the last person on Earth to try something everyone else is obsessed with? That was me with Fortnite. I dodged it for years, rolling my eyes at the 2017/2018 hype and writing it off as a fad. But then September 2026 happened, and I found myself standing inside the Fortnitemares scare zone at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. Spoiler: I ate my words.

I had zero context walking in. Actors in Fortnitemares skins leapt out from behind detailed sets, some pausing to emote with fans. The purple storm lighting was gorgeous, and the smiles on guests' faces were even brighter. I didn't know what a Cuddle Team Leader and Tomatohead hybrid was, or why a giant Battle Bus was parked in the center. I had no urge to raid chests or admire the prop weapons. But the dynamic sound design and theatrical scale? That made one hell of a first impression.

Experiencing Fortnite in theme park form before ever playing the game is a backwards route. Things that were obvious to the crowd were mysteries to me. Why is that banana also a skeleton? Who is this purple llama? Why is everyone dancing? But within seconds, it was clear this was one of the most artistic theme park crossovers ever. Set in Freaky Fields, I walked through a haunted farm while costumed characters fired Pumpkin Launchers overhead. The Skull Trooper twirling a Skull Sickle caught my eye first. Then Hollowhead and Wrath appeared in the fog, eyes glowing. I simply must play this game, I thought.

For once, I wasn't sad about my vacation ending, because it meant I could go home and download Fortnite. Four weeks later, I'm gleefully clocking dozens of hours. Instead of looking back, I'm celebrating the arrival of Fortnitemares and saving V-Bucks for the new Halloween Horror Nights collaboration skins of Jack the Clown and Hamikuma.

Usually, theme park attractions are the final destination of fandom. You play the game, watch the movie, buy the merch, and years later step into a physical version of that world—like I did for The Last of Us or Five Nights at Freddy's. But sometimes it works the other way around. I dropped into Fortnite as a total newbie, but after experiencing it in real life at Halloween Horror Nights, I'm utterly captivated.

Fortnitemares scare zone is at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood Resort until November 1, 2026. So if you're a skeptic like I was, maybe a trip through the fog will change your mind too. What do you think—would a theme park scare zone convince you to try a game? Will you be picking up those Jack the Clown and Hamikuma skins?