The current Fortnite season tasks players and their squads with defending against swarms of insectoid alien foes dubbed "Bugs" while progressing through the battle pass. For those noticing the similarity, you're not alone.
Arrowhead Game Studios, creators of Helldivers 2 - another co-op shooter featuring squads battling insectoid aliens called "Bugs" - has acknowledged the resemblance. Their response framed it as flattery through imitation.
"Hmm... this gives 'we have Helldivers at home' energy," observed community manager Katherine Baskin on the game's Discord. She quickly added, "I'm not concerned."
"Fortnite remains Fortnite, Helldivers stays Helldivers," Baskin continued. "If the trendsetters of gaming fashion consider our style worth... drawing inspiration from... that's actually pretty awesome. Our games are fundamentally different experiences. The gaming landscape has space for both."
Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani quipped that the new Fortnite season "feels extremely democratic" - a nod to Helldivers' lore about interstellar expansion during the 'Great Democratization' era.
This isn't Fortnite's first creative homage - the game regularly incorporates elements from across pop culture. True to form, this season also features unlikely allies including a martial arts panda, Power Rangers, and Halo's Spartan soldiers.
Early reception appears positive. Epic Games reports players have eliminated over 250 million Bugs since the invasion began. Leaks suggest upcoming pet Companions will include a skateboard-riding turtle, proving Fortnite's signature absurdity remains intact.
