When you think of online video game Fortnite, What’s the first thing that comes to mind? If you answered “the late Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.”, there is good news for you: a new virtual exhibition within the game will pay tribute to the dead leader, exposing players to his speeches and his crusade for justice, Fortnite the parent company, Epic Studios, announced Thursday.
Fortnite—a game better known for its actual battle-style violence promotional appearances by artists such as Travis Scott and Ariana Grande, who make Martin Luther King Jr. a Nobel Peace Prize winner and famous proponent of nonviolent protest, an obvious next choice for a feature of the game. In accordance with Epic, the new exhibit, which was created as part of a partnership with TIME Studios, “teleports players to DC 63, a reinvented Washington,” where they can visit the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall to hear King speak on his infamous 17-minute speech calling for civil rights.
“The experience extends to museum-inspired points of interest and collaborative mini-games that complement others,” Epic said. “These activities advance players through experience and bring to life important issues in Dr. King’s speech: we move forward when we work together.”
Not to assume that a violent battle game foolishly appropriated the message and likeness of a man who was literally assassinated during his attempts to exchange peace, know that the King Estate played an active role in the green illumination of homage. Eric D. Tidwell, Esq., Managing director and CEO of King Estate, said the organization was “excited” to work with TIME at the Fortnite project.
“With the advent of emerging technology, we try to use every available resource to continue spreading its wonderful legacy of hope, peace, love and equality,” Tidwell said. The wrapper in a statement. “Presenting his most famous speech in such an interactive format helps us achieve that goal.”
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In fact, perhaps this is the impetus that young players in the United States need to move us to a brighter and more egalitarian future, free from senseless violence and ugly prejudices. Or maybe that will make more idiots use theirs Fortnite avatars to pass the thread at the National Mall while King’s “I have a dream” speech shines in the background, one or the other.