UK esports organisation Guild has teamed up with the Difference Makers sustainability campaign from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for a unique Fortnite tournament.
The tournament will see players compete in a normal PVP match, with a twist – they will be encouraged to chop down as many trees as possible. With a ‘tree-o- meter’ keeping score, for every felled tree, Difference Makers will plant one in the real world to replace its digital equivalent.
In addition, the estimated carbon footprint of the tournament – running all those gaming PCs and streaming it out to the world – will be offset, to ensure a net zero environmental impact.
The closed tournament, which kicks off today (Friday August 27th 2021) will pitch some of Guild’s best Fortnite players and biggest content creators against Guild’s young Academy students – with participants discussing transferable skills and how a love of gaming can be a gateway into the world of STEM.
Guild’s world-championship winning stars Hen (pictured) and Anas, will be joined by content creators Gee Nelly and TN25, to take part in the event, which will be promoted to Guild’s global audience.
IET president, Professor Danielle George MBE, said: “The future scientists, technicians and engineers, who might one day save the world are likely to be found today – in front of their consoles. With STEM and sustainability so integral to modern life, we’re proud to be creating the world’s first Fortnite tournament where players are fighting for more than just the win; they’re also fighting to make a positive impact on the world around them.
“Partnering with Guild was the ideal choice for this initiative, with their esports expertise and sustainable initiatives within the organisation.”
“IET president, Professor Danielle George MBE, said: “The future scientists, technicians and engineers, who might one day save the world are likely to be found today – in front of their consoles.”
Danielle George MBE, The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Guild’s director of partnerships Michelle Tierney added: “By working together with Difference Makers, we’re ensuring that sustainability is at the heart of this tournament. Difference Makers doesn’t just demonstrate that gaming can be green but shows us how the visionaries of the world can be found in unexpected places.
“As an esports organisation co-owned by David Beckham, we understand the importance of an academy structure and the educational benefits for young people as they’re developing. We’re proud to be educating the next generation with the skills to understand the critical importance of sustainability for our future.”
Fortnite has been focusing on other initiatives hoping to educate players on real world issues. Just this week it announced a special Martin Luther King in-game experience:
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
