Ariana x Fortnite
Courtesy of Epic GamesEpic Games, the company behind Fortnite, has acquired game development studio Harmonix, the creator of Rock Band and Dance Central for an undisclosed amount, the companies have announced. The move should help incorporate more music into Fortnite, which has already made a name for itself in the music industry by hosting massive virtual concerts for artists including Travis Scott, Marshmello, and Ariana Grande.
“Music is already bringing millions of people together in Fortnite, from our emotes to global concerts and events,” Alain Tascan, vp game development at Epic Games in a statement. “Together with the Harmonix team we will transform how players experience music, going from passive listeners to active participants.”
“Harmonix has always aspired to create the world’s most beloved interactive music experiences, and by joining Epic we will be able to do this at scale,” added Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and chairman at Harmonix. “Together we will push the creative boundaries of what’s possible and invent new ways for our players to make, perform and share music.”
Harmonix says it will continue to support its older games while it works with Epic Games, but noted that no new instruments would be built for Rock Band. With the metaverse a clear focus for Epic Games, and the music industry looking for avenues to get in on the next generation of the internet, this partnership should bode well for the ongoing relationship between the music and gaming industries.
Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that he still approaches songwriting with the same curiosity and playful attitude he had when he was a teenager.
The Beatles icon appeared in conversation with comedian Rob Brydon at London's Roundhouse in Camden on Wednesday (10.06.26), where he shared that he has never been interested in sticking to rules when creating music.
He declared: “I don’t want to know any rules because that’s the fun of it.”
The 83 year old musician, known for beloved hits including Let it Be, Lady Madonna and Love Me Do, also confessed that writing gloomy material does not come naturally to him.
He said: “I have a hard time doing down songs.
“If I’ve got a down song, I’ll suddenly try and lift it, give it a happy ending or something.”
McCartney also reflected on the special connection he first formed with his late bandmate John Lennon.
He admitted: “I look back and I just think, ‘wow’."
The Yesterday singer remembered how they were simply two youngsters from Liverpool who shared a hidden passion for songwriting.
Macca said: “He was the first person I’d met who ever said that.”
The music legend was speaking while promoting his latest solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, a record that revisits moments from his past, and he went on to recall his early experiences with the late George Harrison.
He explained that the song Down South was inspired by the hitchhiking journeys they enjoyed together years before The Beatles rose to worldwide fame.
He described Harrison as a “very erudite, smart guy, very spiritual, very beautiful guy,” adding: “We had some great times together… This really gave The Beatles its strength.”
Looking back after so many years, McCartney said he is now able to appreciate the band's achievements as a fan rather than feeling the need to downplay them.
He said: “I can look back on it now like I’m a major fan.
“When you’re doing it, you’ve got to be a bit modest. But once it’s all done, you don’t have to be modest at all! So I do enjoy looking back on those memories.”
