Travis Scott’s Fortnite Concert Watched by Over 12 Million

One of the industries most affected by the stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19 is music. But in challenging times, technology and innovation take part in promoting experiences like a live concert. Last night, more than 12 million viewers went online to watch the Astronomical Travis Scott concert from their computers and within a video game.

The famous American rapper offered a virtual concert full of special effects within the Fortnite universe, where netizens gathered in front of a virtual stage to hear Scott perform such hits as Highest in the Room. But what left viewers speechless was when the stage exploded and the rapper appeared as a giant, walking and singing all over the Fortnite "terrain." The 10-minute performance ended with the release of a new track: The Scotts, a collaboration with Kid Cudi.

Epic says over 12 million concurrent players participated live in the Fortnite Travis Scott event, an all-time record, not including over 3 million viewers on streams

like Fortnite or not, this was an incredibly impressive experience

here's the full Astronomical set in HQ pic.twitter.com/KdxVM4hDEB

— Rod 'keydaddy' Breslau (@Slasher) April 24, 2020

“Honestly, today was one of the most inspiring days. Love every single one of u [sic] guys. And I know times are weird for us. But for one moment to be able to have the ragers to rage wherever you are is amazing,” said Scott in his twitter account.

In early 2019, 10 million users logged in to listen to DJ Marshmello at Fortnite's first virtual concert. “We made history today! The first-ever live virtual concert inside of Fortnite with millions of people in attendance. So insane, thank you Epic Games and everyone who made this possible!” said the US DJ back then.

Fortnite, released in 2017, is a free online video game, which allows its characters to fight for survival on a dystopian island. But even though it is free, the game charges its users for costumes and other accessories. By March 2019, registered users worldwide in Fortnite reached 250 million, making it the world’s most popular video game, according to Statista data. 

As of April 2020, Epic Games was valued at almost US$18 billion. More recently, the video game maker has held talks to raise a new round of funding between US$500 million and US$1 billion, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg this week. 

In 2012, Epic Games’ founder sold 40 percent of the company to Tencent Holdings. Later, in 2018, a group made up of KKR & Co, Vulcan Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers, Iconiq Capital and AXiomatic Gaming bought US$1.25 billion of Epic Games' shares.