Sony Music Entertainment has partnered with Epic Games to launch an immersive PARTYNEXTDOOR concert experience in Fortnite, debuting Thursday (August 1) at 1 PM EST.
The interactive event was developed in collaboration with Sony Immersive Music Studios and OVO Sound, Drake’s label.
The virtual experience takes players on a journey from Toronto’s CN Tower to Miami’s South Beach, featuring a custom island designed specifically for the R&B artist.
Players travel via private jet to attend a PARTYNEXTDOOR show, followed by an exclusive afterparty at a digital recreation of David Grutman’s LIV nightclub at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
PARTYNEXTDOOR’s larger-than-life avatar performs stylized versions of several tracks, including Break from Toronto, which is available as a Jam Track in the Fortnite Shop.
The setlist also features M a k e I t T o T h e M o r n i n g and Somebody Loves Me, with players able to participate in quests, scavenger hunts, mini-games, and parkour challenges throughout the experience.
“When the opportunity to create our own world came up, it was a natural fit,” PARTYNEXTDOOR said in a statement, citing his longtime fandom of the game. The artist was the first to sign with Drake’s OVO Sound label under Sony Music.
The launch follows PARTYNEXTDOOR’s recent release of his latest solo album P4, which has generated over one billion streams. He also topped the Billboard 200 and Apple Music charts with the collaborative project $ome $exy $ongs 4 U alongside Drake, which he is currently promoting on a European tour.
This marks the latest collaboration between Sony Music and Epic Games in the virtual concert space. Sony established its Immersive Music Studios division in January 2021, focusing on developing immersive music experiences through technology and creativity.
Previous Sony Music activations in gaming platforms have included Travis Scott’s record-breaking Fortnite concert and Lil Nas X’s Roblox performance. The PARTYNEXTDOOR event leverages Epic Games’ Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) and motion capture technology from UK-based Move AI to create the virtual performance.
Sony Corporation has invested significantly in Epic Games, spending over $1 billion across multiple investment rounds since 2020 to acquire stakes in the Fortnite maker.
The partnership reflects the growing convergence between music and gaming industries, particularly following the success of virtual concerts that have drawn millions of concurrent players.
The custom PARTYNEXTDOOR island can be accessed using the code 7024-5026-8823, offering fans an interactive alternative to traditional concert experiences during the artist’s European tour dates.
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