Why a Star Trek crossover won't work for Fortnite
As Epic Games continues to boldly go where no fan has before, we're asking where in the galaxy should Fortnite go next? From the might of the Marvel Multiverse to jumping behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon, we've done a lot over the past 20 seasons (and counting).
Despite some accusations that Fortnite leans too heavily into its pop culture crossovers, others love the fact that Tilted Towers is transformed into Gotham City or the Mos Eisley Cantina ends up on the map. There's one idea that continues to crop up time and time again. With all that Star Wars content, Trekkies around the globe are championing a Star Trek season.
Even if we don't get a full-blown season dedicated to Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi staple, there's not been so much as a glimpse of Worf's wrinkles in the item shop. While there are plenty of us who'd love Scotty to beam us aboard the Starship Enterprise, here's why a Star Trek x Fortnite crossover just won't work.
Has Fortnite had a Star Trek crossover?
Click to enlargeSetting our phasers to stunned, it's baffling to think we're yet to see the Enterprise or any iterations of its crew in Fortnite. It's not like we haven't had the opportunities. Back when aliens were hovering above the map in Chapter 2 Season 7, there were whispers that the Star Trek gang would be warping into action to lend a hand. Some of the most prominent leakers around made us believe it was legitimate, but instead, it seems like it was a Star Wars Jedi mind trick.
Claims from so-called Fortnite experts were backed up by multiple reports that Paramount franchises would be jumping off the Battle Bus. If this wasn't enough, Forbes reminded us that a secret puzzle included a message that read "UNIVERSAL TRANSLATION MALFUNCTION", which is a direct reference to Star Trek Discovery. The closest we've got to Star Trek in Fortnite is a Vulcan salute emote in the shop, but still no Kirk or Picard skins.
Why a Star Trek crossover won't work
Click to enlargeAlthough there have been repeated calls for a Star Trek crossover, some of us just aren't sold on the idea. Maybe it's because this writer was raised on a diet of Star Wars instead of Trek, but I'd argue that even an entire season dedicated to Star Wars would be overkill. Then again, there's something about the fanciful monsters and packed Cantinas that have a more whimsical and Fortnite vibe than the more grounded world of Star Trek.
Fortnite arguably makes its living from its crossovers, so let's look at where Star Trek is right now. After 2016's Star Trek Beyond, Paramount's live-action franchise has slipped into development hell. Even though we now know a fourth movie is officially in the works with a returning cast that includes Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, and the rest, it's far from being at the forefront of our minds right now.
Star Trek on the small screen is a different story. Hoping to build on the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the ever-expanding slate of Star Wars shows, we have Star Trek: Discovery, Picard, and the animated Lower Decks. Discovery is already spinning off into Strange New Worlds with Anson Mount and Rebecca Romijn, while there's talk of a Section 31 spin-off for Michelle. Still, all of this feels niche when compared to what Disney continues to churn out with Star Wars.
Looking at cultural phenomenons, Star Wars has theme parks and multiple franchises dedicated to video games. Maybe there's a reason LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the best-selling LEGO game of all time and we still don't have a Star Trek version. On the whole, Star Trek video games aren't exactly popular or chart-topping titles. We'll have to wait and see whether Star Trek: Resurgence gives us some new hope.
Will we ever see Star Trek in Fortnite?
Click to enlargeDespite the potential flaws of a full-blown Star Trek season, that doesn't mean we can't squeeze the crew of the Enterprise, Discovery, or Voyager into the shop. Away from Kirk and Picard, Uhura, Spock, and Sulu all deserve their time to shine. Expanding this further, Kathryn Janeway, Jonathan Archer, and Michael Burnham would all be popular choices. To be honest, I'd just like to be able to kick ass as Phillipa Georgiou.
Much like how the Mandalorian became the poster for the hunter-themed Chapter 2 Season 5, and like we're seeing with Doctor Strange in the current season, Star Trek seems like a great fit as part of a much bigger theme for a season. If we do return to space like in Chapter 2 Season 7, a Star Trek crossover would be well overdue.
We've been promised that a multitude of Paramount franchises will be coming to Fortnite, with Star Trek sitting alongside Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, South Park, and more. Yet again though, none of these rumours have come to pass. The latest leaks claim we're getting more Star Wars content with the return of lightsabers, and we'd be surprised if an Obi-Wan Kenobi skin doesn't land alongside the Ewan McGregor series. Sadly, it remains to be seen if we'll ever be beaming aboard the Enterprise.
