On December 19, 2024, at 1:01 PM, it was announced that SpongeBob SquarePants and the world of Bikini Bottom are making their way into Fortnite through the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) platform. This exciting collaboration involves Paramount Game Studios teaming up with marketing agency Zoned to create four engaging experiences inspired by the beloved animated series, featuring iconic characters like SpongeBob and Patrick.
The four games developed by Zoned alongside Alliance Studios cover various popular genres, including:
- Red vs Blue, a competitive free-for-all where players battle using jelly blasters.
- Prop Hunt, a classic hide-and-seek game set against the vibrant backdrop of Bikini Bottom.
- Slap Fight, where players perform karate chops to knock opponents off a board while searching for Krabby Patties.
- Only Up, an obstacle course that’s a staple in user-generated content.
Doug Rosen, Paramount’s senior vice president of games and emerging media, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, remarking, “Many fans of SpongeBob SquarePants are gamers, so it was a logical progression to bring Bikini Bottom into an interactive format that resonates with them. The partnership with Zoned has allowed us to deliver an immersive experience that captures the spirit of SpongeBob and connects with the Fortnite community.”
SpongeBob is not the first franchise to appear on the UEFN platform; Zoned previously created experiences like Topgolf’s UEFN offering. Additionally, SpongeBob has made previous appearances in user-generated content environments, being featured in Roblox and engaging with fans during GameFam’s Super Bowl activities on that platform.
Carlos Tovar, president of Zoned, shared his excitement about the project, stating, “This has been a dream project for our team, as we have all grown up watching SpongeBob SquarePants. Collaborating with the talented folks at Paramount Game Studios has been a fantastic experience, as they genuinely understand how to integrate the SpongeBob brand within the Fortnite universe. It’s an evolving platform, and we're thrilled to introduce this iconic character to both fans and gamers.”
The four games developed by Zoned alongside Alliance Studios cover various popular genres, including:
- Red vs Blue, a competitive free-for-all where players battle using jelly blasters.
- Prop Hunt, a classic hide-and-seek game set against the vibrant backdrop of Bikini Bottom.
- Slap Fight, where players perform karate chops to knock opponents off a board while searching for Krabby Patties.
- Only Up, an obstacle course that’s a staple in user-generated content.
Doug Rosen, Paramount’s senior vice president of games and emerging media, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, remarking, “Many fans of SpongeBob SquarePants are gamers, so it was a logical progression to bring Bikini Bottom into an interactive format that resonates with them. The partnership with Zoned has allowed us to deliver an immersive experience that captures the spirit of SpongeBob and connects with the Fortnite community.”
SpongeBob is not the first franchise to appear on the UEFN platform; Zoned previously created experiences like Topgolf’s UEFN offering. Additionally, SpongeBob has made previous appearances in user-generated content environments, being featured in Roblox and engaging with fans during GameFam’s Super Bowl activities on that platform.
Carlos Tovar, president of Zoned, shared his excitement about the project, stating, “This has been a dream project for our team, as we have all grown up watching SpongeBob SquarePants. Collaborating with the talented folks at Paramount Game Studios has been a fantastic experience, as they genuinely understand how to integrate the SpongeBob brand within the Fortnite universe. It’s an evolving platform, and we're thrilled to introduce this iconic character to both fans and gamers.”