Out of all the games that could cross over into the world of Fortnite, Tetris doesn’t necessary seem the most likely. Falling orderly, geometric shapes don’t seem like they could exist in the same space as the chaotic battle royale shenanigans of Epic Games’ magnum opus.
But cross over it has: As of Chapter 7, Season 4, titled “Override,” the Tetriminos appear in Sunken Shores as part of the aesthetics. Players can also use the Tetris Rift to summon giant blocks down as cover, which can also heal players.
According to Maya Rogers, The Tetris Company CEO, the collab grew out of a conversation with Epic Games, very likely at GDC, where she learned that Fortnite was making an ode to legendary video games. However, one of the caveats of this crossover was that it had to be in line with the values that Tetris represents.
“Tetris is a game for everyone. We’re nonviolent, we’re an inclusive game, and we wanted to make sure that whatever happened within Fortnite wasn’t damaging,” Rogers told GamesBeat. “Initially, the Tetriminos were coming down and would do damage, but we were very clear that we wanted only to do good things. As it stands, right now the Tetris pieces come down from the sky, and when they clear lines, they heal you. They also act as a shield We thought it was a perfect way to honor Tetris.”
She also added that there are special Tetris-themed easter eggs on Sunken Shores that allow the player to either become a Tetrimino or make everyone around them Tetriminos. “The fans have gone crazy for the Fortnite collab,” she said. “I love that we’re part of it, and I would say stayed tuned for more things to come.”