LEGO Fortnite Introduces Brick Life, A Standalone Social Life-Sim

LEGO Fortnite has announced a new standalone social sim mode called Brick Life, coming to the platform later this week. LEGO Fortnite has already garnered a significant player base for its toyetic twist on the classic Fortnite formula, not to mention its major media tie-ins and custom LEGO Fortnite modes. It’s quickly become one of the more popular game modes available within the growing Fortnite platform; although it’s still dwarfed by the now-ubiquitous Battle Royale, LEGO survival mode has its hold on a different sector of the player base.

And the options for playing LEGO Fortnite are about to grow again with its 32-player social sim roleplaying mode, Brick Life, announced today on LEGO Fortnite‘s X (formerly Twitter) page for a December 12 release. Brick Life looks like a cross between GTA Online roleplaying and LEGO City Undercover, with players exploring the sprawling metropolis of Brick Bay, built entirely out of the characteristic dimpled bricks. Here’s what we know so far about Brick Life.

LEGO Fortnite Brings Roleplaying To The City Life

Brick Life Gameplay Details

The first trailer for Brick Life reveals a feature-rich social sim set in a colorful LEGO city. It’s both a unique twist on the LEGO Fortnite formula and a completely original concept of its own, including various new options for customization and interaction. Each Brick Life server can accommodate up to 32 players, each of whom can select from a diverse menu of in-game jobs (or not). Players will communicate with each other via text chat, allowing for immersive roleplaying interactions.

Brick Life players will also have the opportunity to customize their in-game apartments with various features and furniture. At this point, it’s unknown whether those will be purchased with virtual currency or crafted with in-game items; it’s possible players may even earn the cash they need by participating in their in-game jobs. Players can also buy and drive vehicles like cars and motorcycles along Brick Bay’s bustling streets.

Brick Life‘s announcement has provoked excitement from Fortnite fans, with many comparing its early trailer favorably to similar multiplayer roleplaying-focused games. Many hoped it would ease the wait for GTA 6, with players like @FortnitePV2 linking the early previews with GTA Online roleplay servers.

Others drew more nostalgic comparisons to social sims gone by. With its customization options and high degree of interactivity, the now-defunct PlayStation Home filled a similar niche. Still others, like @YNOverlord, compared the early previews to LEGO City Undercover, a single-player GTA-style adventure game.

Reactions on Reddit focused on the wide variety of game modes now available in Fortnite, and the predicted popularity of this platform. Players like tapperyaus pointed to Brick Life‘s safety features, which include chat filters that block personal information and explicit language, which will likely make this game mode especially successful among children.

And it’s true: at this point, Fortnite has something for almost every kind of player. That’s the secret behind its enduring popularity, and it’s bold risks like this one that have kept it going, even after all these years.

Our Take: It’s A Big Year For Fortnite Fans

OG, Ballistic, Odyssey Updates, & Brick Life

No matter how you prefer to play Fortnite, it almost certainly has a game mode designed for you. Maybe you miss the days when Guitar Hero reigned supreme, so you get your rhythm game fix from Fortnite Jam. Maybe the classic survival modes of LEGO Fortnite scratch an itch, or maybe you’re perfectly fine sticking with Battle Royale.

The best part is that the Fortnite platform keeps expanding, with various major updates this year. First, there was the reintroduction of classic locations, loot, and characters in Fortnite OG. There was also the announcement of Fortnite Ballistic, a 5v5, first-person shooter mode. Now, Brick Life aims to change the game completely once again, with an entirely new genre coming to the already successful platform. It also comes along with a massive update to LEGO Fortnite Odyssey, including a new boss and an improved progression system.

It’s clear that Fortnite has come a long way from the survival game it originally was, and even the Battle Royale game it later spawned. It’s become more of an all-in-one gaming platform than a single title. It’s updates like these that have given it – and LEGO Fortnite by extension – an uncannily long shelf life.

Sources: LEGO Fortnite/X, @FortnitePV2/X, @YNOverlord/X, tapperyaus/Reddit