CAIR Calls for FEC and IRS Probes of Anti-Muslim Ads Backed by Trump Supporter and Targeting Voters in Swing States

Robert Mercer backed a secretive group that worked with Facebook, Google to target anti-Muslim ads at swing voters (image via OpenSecrets.org)

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for Federal Election Commission (FEC) and IRS investigations of virulently anti-Muslim advertisements that used Facebook and Google to target voters in swing states prior just before the 2016 election.

Robert Mercer, a top supporter of President Trump, reportedly spent $2 million to help fund the group behind Islamophobic video ad, titled "Welcome to the Islamic States of America," which featured the "Hollywood" sign replaced with the Islamic phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) and the Statue of Liberty wearing a burka. In the video, St. Paul's Chapel in Manhattan is shown with an Islamic star and crescent and Sports Illustrated magazine becomes "Sharia Law Illustrated."

Mercer was a top donor – giving some $2 million -- for Secure America Now, the shadowy group that produced the ads. The group told the IRS it only spent $124,192 on political activities, while reporting more than $1 million in political spending to the FEC in 2016.

"While these bigoted ads did not mention a specific candidate, it does not take a brain surgeon to realize that there was only one presidential candidate that based his campaign on anti-Muslim fear-mongering," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We urge the FEC and IRS to investigate whether these clandestine ads violated federal election or tax laws."

He noted that former top White House strategist Stephen Bannon, who ran Mercer's white supremacist and anti-Muslim Breitbart site, once wrote a film script that warned of America turning into the "Islamic States of America."

CAIR said it has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. The Washington-based civil rights organization has also repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.

Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: www.cair.com/report   

CAIR launched an app to share critical "know your rights" information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.

⏩ For a quick download of CAIR's civil rights app, click here ⏪

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

Related Stories:

• EXCLUSIVE: Robert Mercer backed a secretive group that worked with Facebook, Google to target anti-Muslim ads at swing voters
• Bannon film outline warned U.S. could turn into 'Islamic States of America'
• CAIR Condemns Naming of Islamophobe John Bolton as White House National Security Adviser
• CAIR Opposes Nominations of 'Islamophobe' Pompeo for Secretary of State, 'Torturer' Haspel for CIA Director

SOURCE: Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

US: Off-Broadway Smash-Hit 'Puffs' Brings a Hilarious Take on the Wizarding World to Moviegoers Nationwide May 9 and 12 Only

"Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway"

The highly acclaimed and rollicking hit comedy is about to get the big-screen treatment when "Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway" comes to U.S. cinemas for a two-day event this May. 

"For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to wizard school. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of The Puffs… who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world."

At the request from fans all over the world, "Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway" was captured in front of a live audience. Shot over two performances in February 2018 during the show's unstoppable open-ended run at New World Stages, moviegoers will experience the stage production in a whole new way on the big screen. 

Audiences can expect the unexpected, including close-up shots, multiple angles and an exclusive look behind the curtain of this clever and inventive play.

"Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway"

The New York Times proclaimed "Puffs" as, "A FAST-PACED ROMP through the 'Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.' For POTTERphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and are eager to revisit that world, 'Puffs' exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry!"

Produced by Tilted Windmills Theatricals' two-time Tony Award winner John Arthur Pinckard and Broadway veteran David Carpenter, "Puffs" is a Potter-inspired comedy for anyone who has ever felt like a secondary character in someone else's story. The play gives audiences a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three new heroes just trying to make it through magic school.

"This epic secondary storyline, imagined from one of the world's most famous wizarding sagas, has maintained its popularity with fans for years," Fathom Events Chief Content and Programming Officer Gordon Synn said. "'Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway' now offers those fans a unique new way to experience this hilarious twist on a classic story, proving that underdogs can be the heroes."

"Our fans have meant the world to us since the very beginning of the production and every week we continue to delight audiences in New York," said David Carpenter, Producer. "This incredible partnership with Fathom will allow us to bring the magic of the show and our incredible cast to our fans across the country and invite whole new audiences to experience the joy that is Puffs."

• Fathom Events and Tilted Windmills Theatricals partner to present "Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway" in more than 600 U.S. cinemas on Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 at 12:55 p.m. (all local times), through Fathom's Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). 

• For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

• Tickets for "Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway" can be purchased beginning Friday, April 6 at FathomEvents.com or participating theater box offices.

SOURCE: Fathom Events

Related Videos:

World Premiere of Jurassic World in Concert

Jurassic World in Concert  (PRNewsfoto/Universal Brand Development)

Universal Brand Development and Film Concerts Live! announce the world premiere of Jurassic World in Concert, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), led by guest conductor Emil de Cou. The NSO will perform the complete Jurassic World score live, while Colin Trevorrow's hugely successful 2015 movie is projected in HD onto a massive screen. 

⏩ The opening night of Jurassic World in Concert will take place on May 30 with a special concert at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. 

Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and B.D. Wong, Jurassic World, with its thrilling score by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino, earned a staggering $1.6 billion at the global box office and is the fourth top-grossing film of all time. Fans can next experience the wonder, adventure and thrills when the all-new motion-picture event Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom hits theaters on June 22, 2018.

Set 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park, the Jurassic World theme park lets guests experience the thrill of witnessing actual dinosaurs. But something ferocious lurks behind the Park's attractions – a genetically modified dinosaur with savage capabilities. When the massive creature escapes, chaos erupts across the island. It's up to Owen and Claire to save the park's tourists from an all-out prehistoric assault.

Jurassic World

"Michael Giacchino's music sounds different with a live orchestra," said Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow. "It surrounds you, strengthens your muscles, sweeps you into adventure and demands your heroic best. Hearing his music played live is one of my favorite things to do, and I'm honored to be part of this awesome event."

Jurassic World in Concert is a follow-up to the currently touring Jurassic Park in Concert, which has been presented by more than 50 orchestras to date, with sold-out performances in cities including London, Paris, Melbourne, Toronto, Taipei and Philadelphia.

"In 1997, when Steven Spielberg first asked me if we were going to use a live orchestra to record The Lost World video game score, I never imagined that 20 years later I would be so lucky to have my work from Jurassic World be performed in concert halls by some of the greatest musicians in the world," said Giacchino, who will attend the May 30 event in Washington, D.C. "I can't wait for audiences to experience Colin Trevorrow's epic blockbuster with a live orchestra."

"The National Symphony Orchestra is honored that Universal and Film Concerts Live! have selected the NSO to give the world premiere performances of Jurassic World in Concert," said NSO Executive Director Gary Ginstling. "These collaborations are so valuable, both for spotlighting the role of an orchestral score in the creative process of filmmaking and for providing a fantastic live symphonic concert experience for audiences of all ages."

Tickets go on sale to Kennedy Center members on April 3 at 10am EDT, and to the general public on April 5 at 10am EDT. Details can be found at the Kennedy Center website. Further dates and cities will follow. 

Jurassic World

⏩ For more information, please see filmconcertslive.com/movies/jurassic-world-in-concert/.

About Film Concerts Live!: 
A joint venture of IMG Artists and The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Film Concerts Live! is currently touring fifteen exciting productions, including  film-with-orchestra concert presentations of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Back to the Future, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the last three Star Trek films, Home Alone, Casino Royale, The Addams Family and The Artist. This month they'll premiere Close Encounters of the Third Kind in Concert as part of the World Science Festival in Brisbane, Australia, and in July of this year they'll premiere Apollo 13 in Concert with the renowned Houston Symphony Orchestra. 

SOURCE: Universal Brand Development

Related Videos:

Denny's Joins Forces With "Solo: A Star Wars Story" To Help Fight Childhood Hunger

Denny's "Solo: A Star Wars Story" Topps Trading Cards. Each pack contains two exclusive character cards and a Denny’s coupon. A portion of all trading card sales benefits No Kid Hungry

Thanks to Denny's, America won't have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to experience its own taste of "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Starting today, Star Wars fans and guests across the country will be able to get their hands on a variety of movie-inspired items, including a bold new menu and exclusive "Solo: A Star Wars Story" trading cards only available at Denny's -- all while helping a great cause in the process. Net proceeds from the sale of all trading card packs will benefit Denny's longtime partner, No Kid Hungry, to help kick childhood hunger into outer space.

Han Solo

"We are thrilled to collaborate with the team at Lucasfilm and No Kid Hungry for the much-anticipated release of 'Solo: A Star Wars Story,'" said John Dillon, chief marketing officer for Denny's. "We're incredibly excited to join forces and bring America an out-of-this-world campaign that will not only feed the excitement of every Star Wars fan and Denny's guest, but will also do some good along the way by helping fight childhood hunger and raise awareness for this important mission." 

"Since 2011, we have been so proud to partner with Denny's in the fight to end childhood hunger, and we are honored to be part of this unique promotion," said Diana Hovey, senior vice president at No Kid Hungry. "Ending childhood hunger takes all of us working together, and we're so grateful to have the support of both Denny's and Lucasfilm. Denny's has been a key partner of the No Kid Hungry campaign, and to date has helped connect kids in need to more than 63 million meals, proving that together we can truly end child hunger in the U.S."

Chewbacca

Each exclusive "Solo: A Star Wars Story" trading card pack, only available at Denny's in-store and via 'Denny's on Demand', includes two of 12 different character cards, featuring Han Solo, Chewbacca, Qi'ra, Lando Calrissian and more, in addition to a Denny's coupon for future use. A portion of all sales from the $3 trading card packs--with a minimum guaranteed donation of $1 million--will be donated to No Kid Hungry to help provide meals to children in need.

To kick off the promotional campaign, Denny's has released its own "Solo: A Star Wars Story"-inspired national TV spot, "Hand of Sabacc." Set inside the lodge from "Solo: A Star Wars Story," the spot features two young adversaries, who imagine that they are squared off in a high-stakes card game as characters from the Star Wars universe, including Chewbacca, watch from around the booth. Denny's worked closely with Lucasfilm and Skywalker Sound and enlisted the help of acclaimed production designer Neil Lamont and Oscar-winning creature and Special Makeup Effects Supervisor Neal Scanlan -- both of whom worked on Star Wars films "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" -- to create an authentic Star Wars environment for the spot.

Star Wars fans can also fuel up with their crew with Denny's movie-inspired menu, featuring bold new items that will send guests' taste buds into hyperdrive. Available 24/7, Denny's new menu includes the Co-Reactor Pancakes, featuring fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce and whipped cream, plus a side of Crystal Crunch Rocks and a pitcher of warm citrus sauce to pour over the pancakes; the Blaster Fire Burger, which offers up chipotle gouda cheese, bacon and spicy Ghost Pepper sauce top a hand-pressed 100 percent beef patty; along with the new Two Moons Skillet and Denny's Lightspeed Slam. Guests can also activate their taste buds by adding a side of Crystal Crunch rocks to their favorite Milk Shake.

⏩ If that wasn't enough, guests can also enjoy their favorite beverage in one of Denny's Limited Edition "Solo: A Star Wars Story" collector cups featuring characters from the film and topped with a Millennium Falcon lid.

Lando Calrissian

About No Kid Hungry:

"No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast, eat healthy summer meals, and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Join us at NoKidHungry.org."

About "Solo: A Star Wars Story":

"Solo: A Star Wars Story" - Poster

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in "Solo: A Star Wars Story," an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga's most unlikely heroes.

The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover,Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Bettany.

Ron Howard directs "Solo: A Star Wars Story," and Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel are the producers. Lawrence Kasdan, Jason McGatlin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller serve as executive producers. Lawrence & Jonathan Kasdan wrote the screenplay. 

⏩ Lucasfilm's "Solo: A Star WarsStory" opens nationwide May 25.

Fans will be able to experience Denny's promotional campaign with "Solo: A Star Wars Story" through June 26 and can visit Dennys.com for more information or to find their local restaurant and place an online order. 

Qi'ra

SOURCE: Denny's

The Video:

Trump's Military Policy Overlooks Data On Why Transgender Troops Are Fit To Serve

Transgender U.S. Army Capt. Jennifer Sims lifts her uniform. AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

By Brandon Hill, University of Chicago and Joshua Trey Barnett, University of Minnesota Duluth

The Trump administration released a memorandum on March 23 that imposes limits on transgender troops and excludes transgender people from enlistment in the U.S. military.

The policy states that individuals with a history of “gender dysphoria” are now disqualified from military service “except under certain limited circumstances.” It defines people with gender dysphoria as “those who may require substantial medical treatment, including through medical drugs or surgery.” This is a deviation from the medical definition of gender dysphoria. The American Psychiatric Association defines it as “a conflict between a person’s physical or assigned gender and the gender with which he/she/they identify.”

Since 2014, we have been working with transgender service members and veterans to better understand their experiences. Our work is part of a large and growing body of scientific research President Donald Trump, and conservatives more broadly, have ignored.

The evidence is conclusive: Transgender people are fit to serve in the U.S. military.

Medical rationale
In the U.S., transgender individuals were officially barred from serving in the armed forces starting in the 1960s. The early prohibition was based on a now-outdated psychiatric classification. Until 2013, the American Psychiatric Association classified transgender people as having “gender identity disorder.” This disqualified them for military service, along with anyone else who exhibited a mental disorder.

Since the 1980s, the U.S. armed forces barred service of any person with a “current or history of psychosexual conditions including but not limited to exhibitionism, transsexualism, transvestism, voyeurism, and other paraphilia.” This view conflates transgender identity with mental illness and distress. It assumes that all transgender people experience gender dysphoria. That is false.

In 2015, the American Medical Association adopted a formal policy stating that there is no medical rationale for excluding transgender people from openly serving in the military.

Serving under a ban
Transgender people have long served in the armed forces. The Williams Institute, a think tank at the University of California in Los Angeles, estimates that roughly 134,000 transgender Americans hold veteran status.

About 15,000 transgender people are currently serving across all branches of the U.S. armed forces, including the National Guard and Reserve forces. The vast majority have served under the transgender ban.

In our research, we have found that transgender service members have had to conceal their identities. In fact, among the transgender service members we surveyed under the transgender military ban, only 16.2 percent reported being “out” as transgender to friends within their military unit. Only 5.6 percent were out to their commanding officer. This has limited their access to support services and health care, and made it difficult to gain institutional recognition.

It is also in stark contrast to their personal lives. The majority of those surveyed reported being out to immediate family members (72.2 percent) and nonmilitary friends (69.4 percent).

Our findings suggest that transgender individuals enlist for many of the same reasons as cisgender men and women, those whose assigned sex at birth corresponds with their gender identity. Transgender people are motivated by educational goals, career aspirations, travel, family history, patriotism and stability. Transgender service members also report few mental or physical health issues that would limit them from meeting fitness criteria.

Research conducted by the nonprofit RAND National Defense Research Institute has found similar evidence. RAND was commissioned by the government to conduct a wide-ranging external study to assess the impact of transgender service.

RAND reported that extending health care coverage for gender transition–related treatments would create only small increases in the budgets for the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. It estimated increases between US$2.4 million to $8.4 million, which represented only 0.04 to 0.13 percent of the departments’ budgets. That is in direct contrast to President Trump’s statement in July 2017 that it would incur “tremendous medical costs.” The report also noted that transgender service has minimal impact on unit readiness and cohesion. It recommended that military fitness policies align with contemporary medical standards.

Impact of a military ban
President Trump’s memorandum referenced inaccurate information. It undermines several rigorous scientific studies, peer-reviewed publications, the expert opinions of military leaders and officers, and the medical recommendations of our nation’s leading professional organizations.

Most concerning, however, in our opinion, is that the current commander-in-chief discredits the service and sacrifices of tens of thousands of transgender veterans and service members. They have served and will continue to proudly serve our country despite persistent injustice and inequality.

About Today's Contributors:
Brandon Hill, Executive Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, University of Chicago and Joshua Trey Barnett, Professor of Rhetoric, University of Minnesota Duluth

This article was originally published on The Conversation. 

FlyView Takes You Flying Over Paris at One-of-a-Kind Virtual Reality Attraction

FlyViewParis, flight over Paris

FlyView has opened a unique virtual reality attraction where visitors can visit Paris from the sky with a jetpack, taking in real-life 360° views of monuments and scenery - no computer graphics here!

This permanent attraction makes possible to fly over the world's most beautiful city, a dream come true for millions of people.

Take Off from a 1,000 m² (11,000+ sq. ft.) Launch Area at Place de l'Opéra in Downtown Paris 

Visitors enter FlyView from Place de l'Opéra, they will arrive in a lobby resembling an airport terminal with check-in counters, flight attendants and screens announcing upcoming flights.

The launch area has 50 jetpacks, making it one of the world's largest virtual reality installations.  

Once on board its jetpack (mounted on actuators), and equipped with a virtual reality helmet (HTC Vive), the visitor sees himself take off and rise above the rooftops of Paris. The flying sensations are more real than life. An unprecedented technological feat!

FlyViewParis, take off room

"The countdown begins… the jetpack turbine winds up… the machine starts to vibrate… the lights go out… the roof opens… and then, liftoff!

The visitor shoots up their silo and breaks out over the roofs of Paris. 

The flying sensations are just like real life. 

The adventure has begun!"

See Paris as Never Before with this Exhilarating, Unforgettable Experience 

The itinerary explores Paris's main monuments in a totally unique way. It will be an exhilarating 13 minutes!  While everyone has the same itinerary, each person will see different things because of the immersive, 360° view.

This sophisticated device synchronizes the platform with the jetpack's movements-taking off, flying forward, stopping for panoramic views, moving sideways, and dropping down next to a monument-to create an immersive experience over Paris with ultra-realistic flying sensations that little ones and grown-ups alike will love.

The experience is breathtaking.  The views over Paris are magnificent.  The flying experience is spectacular.

FlyViewParis - Notre Dame de Paris

"FlyView is my childhood dream of flying and seeing the world from above come true. I hope to share this incredible experience with as many people as possible. This experience brings together poetry and innovation to create another high-quality cultural activity in Paris. I want to offer Parisians and visitors to Paris an exhilarating adventure that is both accessible and unforgettable," says Arnaud Houette, FlyView founder.

FlyViewParis - The Eiffel Tower

⏩ It took about 100 people working for three years to create the FlyView experience.  The latest technologies and unparalleled cooperation came together on this ambitious project:

• The (exceptional) views of Paris from above were filmed with a drone, a device with seven 360 degree cameras, and a team worthy of a film production; 
• First-time approval to film over Paris and in such close proximity to monuments;
• 50 jetpack simulators mounted on actuators were custom-designed and built in France;
• HTC Vive virtual reality headsets offer the most realistic immersion possible.

Practical Details:  

Open 7 days a week - hours and reservations at flyview360.com

Single ticket: €15

For visitors at least 4' tall (about 8 years old)

Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility

30 Rue du 4 Septembre - Place de l'Opéra - 75002 Paris - Opéra metro station

Arnaud Houette, Founder of FlyView Paris

SOURCE:  FlyView

The Video:

Bring On The Zombie Apocalypse: Five Reasons Why Survival Game Fortnite Is A Runaway Success

Epic Games

By Andrew James Reid, Glasgow Caledonian University

“Fortnite,” says explainer website Vox, “is kind of like Minecraft meets The Walking Dead – with a bonus Battle Royale attached.” 

Seven years in the making, Epic Games’ 2017 launch – a zombie survival game available across most console and mobile platforms – has captured the imaginations of players worldwide.

Fortnite is divided into two game types: Battle Royale, a free, online arena where 100 players compete to be the last player or team on the battlefield, and Save the World, an offline story-driven campaign that must be purchased. It is the former that has attracted the attention of players and fans, with the number of online communities growing by the day.
A wide range of design decisions could be attributed to Fortnite’s success, but I’d like to focus on understanding the play experiences that entice players to keep on playing. By examining Fortnite through game analysis tool the Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics (MDA) Framework – an academically developed means to assess the design of experiences in games – we can identify the experiences on offer to players.

Fortnite offers something different for a whole range of players and the way they like to play games. This is what is known as the “aesthetics” of the game, which explains the emotional responses that players have as a result of play. These principles help to move the conversation from the abstract “games are fun” type of assessment to more concrete judgements about player experiences. In the context of Fortnite, using the MDA Framework, five aesthetics are at play which help to define its success: sensation, narrative, challenge, fellowship and pastime.

High five
Sensation concerns the sense of pleasure derived from an experience that offers something unfamiliar to players. But Fortnite shares its range of “mechanics” – actions available to the player – with many other games. Shooting big guns, for example, is a common point-and-click experience popularised in many games, such as Doom and Quake.
Massive multiplayer online games have been around for decades, with World of Warcraft the best known. Fortnite’s building system, which allows players to construct forts and defensive walls, is not dissimilar to that in Minecraft. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), Fortnite’s closest competitor within the Battle Royale genre, has had success in its own right with multiple awards.

So if Fortnite is not the first game to offer these characteristics, how does it stand out as a superlative gaming experience? It can be argued that this comes from the game’s feel: handling the survival hysteria of the game while forgiving players’ lack of precision in shooting; providing security for master-crafters who have taken time to master the art of building; allowing breathing space to form strategies; and creating a cartoon style that reminds players to enjoy the post-apocalyptic environment. This could only be achieved with rigorous testing during development.

Play sessions of Fortnite embody narrative – each game session has its own unique, player-centric story. One player holding down a fort with their teammates using an assorted arsenal of weapons is different to that of the sole wanderer gathering wood to build a sky bridge. Yet both types of players may feel similar levels of enjoyment and satisfaction in their accomplishments. This sense of satisfaction is what encourages players to play again and create new narratives.

The challenge, or set of obstacles to overcome, has little to do with Fortnite’s environment. A threatening atmosphere and difficult-to-master building techniques provide the only difficulties from the game’s perspective. The real challenge is the player’s understanding and use of available space and resources and their level of skill. There is a steady learning curve to each player action – movement, shooting, building, resource management – and their relationship to each other within a tense play session.

Mastery of such a system requires extensive time and effort, but these higher levels of competence are rewarded with social stature within the game, such as costumes and body armour that suggest a certain level of skill and experience.

At the beginning of Fortnite’s Battle Royale game, players must jump off the airborne battle bus to start their adventure. Epic Games

There is no denying that Fortnite features some form of fellowship, a community of active participants. Game modes such as “Duo” and “Squad” allow players to team up with their friends or other players online. A hierarchy of skill recognises the “best-of-the-rest” as they rise to the top of the leaderboards. Curated videos and livestreams connect people with a shared interest in the game. This community presence has undoubtedly played a massive role in ensuring Fortnite’s recent success, and will continue to define the game’s meteoric trajectory so long as it is kept hydrated with stimulation.

Finally, Fortnite reinforces the mantra of games as a pastime – people are willing to put time and concentrated effort into playing it. This can also be determined by their consumption of wider networks related to the game itself, such as videos and livestreams, blogs and forums.

Free no-risk fun
We also cannot forget the free-to-play nature of Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode in encouraging players to adopt and stay. Beyond investing their time, there is little commercial risk for players when choosing to play the game. This has worked with other games, too – the limited-time free-to-play approach was instrumental in the success of soccer video game Rocket League.

Like all games, Fortnite will have its life cycle and then eventually retire to the annals of gaming folklore. Players and online personalities will continue to gun down zombies, fight over supply drops and construct pillars of vantage until someone becomes the very last last-player-standing.

But what it will leave behind is a recipe for success by being self-aware about where it stands in its gaming landscape, and how to harness the design of systems and play to foster sustainable player communities that continue to appreciate and enjoy the experience. The zombie battles will be running for a good while yet.

About Today's Contributor:
Andrew James Reid, Research Associate, Glasgow Caledonian University

This article was originally published on The Conversation.