Unveiling the Power of Fortnite: Will it Surpass Facebook in the Future?

Unveiling the Power of Fortnite: Will it Surpass Facebook in the Future?

In the world of social media, new platforms are constantly emerging, each with its own unique selling point and philosophy. One such platform that has gained immense popularity is Fortnite. But what sets Fortnite apart from traditional social networking sites like Facebook? To understand this, let's take a dive into the history of social media and explore the concept of presence.

Snapchat, the predecessor of Fortnite, was created as an antithesis to existing social media platforms. It aimed to provide an alternative to the validation-seeking culture of platforms like Facebook, where the number of likes determines a user's popularity. However, the concept of presence played a crucial role in the success of Snapchat. It gave users the feeling of being together in the same space, transcending the limitations of physical distance.

Interestingly, our smartphones are built around apps rather than people. When we unlock our phones, we are greeted by a grid of various applications. This is fundamentally different from how we perceive and interact with the real world. Virtual Reality (VR) has the potential to become the ultimate platform for "People First" experiences. VR can create a sense of presence, making the user feel as if they are truly in the same space as others. In an ideal scenario, meeting friends in a shared space would be the first step, followed by deciding which apps to use together.

People are naturally drawn to services that evoke a sense of presence, making them feel connected to others. While VR excels in creating this presence, traditional social media platforms also have elements of presence embedded within them. Users who identify themselves as "荒野女子" (Wilderness Girls) on Fortnite, for example, are often high school girls who were previously uninterested in gaming. They felt a disconnect from the staged performances of seeking validation through photo posts, which deviate from the true essence of social experiences.

Comparing Instagram, where users post photos to receive likes, with Houseparty and Fortnite, where friends can video chat or play games together in the same virtual space, it becomes evident which platforms offer a more "social" experience. The transient nature of disappearing content allows users to express their authentic selves without the need for embellishment. This fosters a more genuine form of communication with friends.

The concept of "App First" refers to individual apps functioning independently, while "People First" involves meeting friends in one app or service and then exploring a variety of experiences together. When it comes to playing games together online, the difference between hastily designed mini-games offered by social media companies and well-crafted, high-quality games is striking.

Having explored the evolution of social media and the rise of platforms like Fortnite, let's now shift our focus to a different campaign conducted by a company called menu.

Menu recently introduced a campaign that revolutionized airport shuttle services. Instead of using regular taxis, they offered shared rides in vans and mini-buses typically used for chauffeur services. This allowed passengers to enjoy airport transfers at less than half the cost of a taxi while enjoying greater flexibility than trains or buses.

By examining these diverse perspectives, we can identify the underlying values offered by different platforms and services. Here are three actionable pieces of advice that can be derived from these insights:

• 1. Prioritize genuine connections: Choose platforms that prioritize authentic communication and foster a sense of presence. Look for opportunities to engage with friends in shared spaces rather than solely focusing on validation-seeking behaviors.

• 2. Embrace evolving technologies: Explore the potential of emerging technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance social experiences and bridge the gap between physical and virtual interactions. VR has the power to create immersive environments where users can truly feel like they are together with others.

• 3. Quality over quantity: When participating in online gaming or similar activities, opt for high-quality experiences that have been meticulously designed for optimal user engagement. These experiences are likely to provide a more fulfilling and enjoyable social interaction.

In conclusion, Fortnite has emerged as a powerful social platform, challenging traditional social media giants like Facebook. By understanding the concept of presence and its impact on user engagement, we can navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media and make informed choices about the platforms and experiences we choose to engage with.