Fortnite just launched a new spot featuring NBA legend and DJ Shaquille O'Neal, announcing his arrival for a massive in-game collaboration.
According to an announcement from Epic Games, the "Big Diesel" will be joining the battle on October 4 as a playable character, complete with Shaq skins, emotes, and items being made available on the item shop.
Initially revealed by Shaq during a DJ set, the collaboration's highlights are a DJ Diesel skin which comes in a default form, a black "Festival Headliner Variant," as well as a regular Shaq skin with seven color variants.
Additionally, a set of emotes and equippable items will let players live their DJ dreams as Shaq, taking over the decks and showing off sick dance moves.
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This new collaboration comes just days before what could be the gaming giant's biggest live event yet, which features Marvel characters in an epic quest to defeat "Doctor Doom."
Moving beyond the gaming space, Fortnite is coming up to be one of the biggest platforms for brand collaborations.
Earlier this week, the game launched a set of costumes featuring characters from the beloved Disney-Pixar film, "The Incredibles."
Shaq's presence in the game is a huge marketing opportunity for both parties, showing the power of influencer partnerships when it comes to collaborations.
By tapping on the basketball superstar, Fortnite creates more chances for their respective fanbases to cross over.
Shaq in the Building
An energetic minute-long spot opens with Shaq playing a DJ set on top of a giant skyscraper. As the party heats up, the big man joyously dives into the crowd, expecting to be caught.
Instead, the crowd parts, leading Shaq to fall through the many floors of the building.
Mid-fall, he hilariously interrupts the building's many occupants, including a janitor, two residents building a card tower, and a dog hair stylist.
Finally, he crashes into a washing machine in a laundry room, and steps out dressed in some slick new threads.
The spot ends when he accidentally touches an electrical switch, zapping him and turning him into a playable Fortnite character.
Late last month, Fortnite launched a new multi-brand gaming experience titled "The Glitch" in partnership with Amazon and Twitch.
