Project Details

An interdisciplinary team from NC State University is ready to create a digital twin of Dix Park, Raleigh’s new central park, in Fortnite with help from the Epic Games Megagrant.  The students and faculty from Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management brings experience with recreation programming at the park and connections with the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.  Parks staff are excited to share the park with new visitors and the project team has been in consultation with parks staff about this project.  They will be joined by College of Design faculty and students who have extensive previous experience using Fortnite Creative, Unreal Engine and other Epic Games products, which will make this project feasible. 

1. This project proposes to first take high definition scans of the Gipson Play Plaza area of Dix Park, which was newly opened in the summer of 2025.  This park area combines pioneering recreation facilities (including waterfalls, art installations and adventure course elements) with community-driven event and public engagement spaces.  Scanning will be completed by the faculty lead personnel, students in their courses, and paid student staff (if the scanning continues into the summer).  Drones and scanning equipment will be provided by NC State University and is not a requested expense for this grant.
2. Digital cleanup of 3D scans and the creation of a model and other assets (i.e., trees, flowers, water elements, playground equipment) that can be imported into UEFN.  Some 3D scans have already been completed by City of Raleigh Parks staff and may be able to be utilized by this project, depending on scan quality required.
3. Collaborate with Epic Games to create a Fortnite island based on the 3D model.  This will include finalizing the design of the space as well as designing the initial social and event-driven experiences that will activate the island for Fortnite users to engage in.  This will include a combination of events that occur in tandem with events in the physical park, as well as experiences that involve Metahuman NPC characters that can serve as ambassadors to the park’s history, recreation opportunities, and upcoming events.
4. Hold events and other in-person activations, with park staff and NC State Students, at Dix Park and on NC State’s campus to promote students and families visiting the island in Fortnite.  The target audience for these events and Dix Park in Fortnite can also be employees and families of Epic Games, given the park’s close proximity to Epic headquarters in Cary, NC.