Freedom Town, USA is a custom multiplayer map in the video game Fortnite Creative created to promote the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.[1][2] The map is themed around pledges made by Kamala Harris as part of her campaign, including tax breaks for small businesses and affordable housing.[3][4][5]
| Freedom Town, USA | |
|---|---|
| Fortnite location | |
 A screenshot of Freedom Town, USA | |
| First appearance | Fortnite Creative |
| Created by | Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign |
| In-universe information | |
| Location | United States |
Freedom Town, USA is inspired by New York City and features multiple minigames. In one game, players are tasked with collecting materials to build houses.[4] Another game features exploding footballs, a reference to Tim Walz's career as a high school football coach.[6]
Coinciding with the release of the map, in-game political signage, models, and audio cues were added to other maps in the game. In one instance, an audio clip of Harris' opponent Donald Trump saying "they're eating the dogs, eating the cats" plays when the player collects a cat.[3][7][8]
Released on October 28, 2024, the map was created as part of an initiative by the Harris campaign to appeal to young, male voters.[3][9] The map was promoted by gaming influencers such as Huskerrs, Modelmorg,[6] Himalyahs, and Kdot.[3] The official trailer for the map featured the song "Neva Play" by Megan Thee Stallion.[7]
References
edit- ^ Jenkins, Dwayne (October 28, 2024). "Kamala Harris Dropped a New Custom 'Fortnite' Map". VICE. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Harris and Trump campaigns turn to gamers for support. ABC News. October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c d Valentine, Rebekah (October 28, 2024). "Kamala Harris Is Courting Gamers Using Fortnite in the Last Week of the U.S. Presidential Campaign". IGN. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Kamala Harris reveals Fortnite Map: "Freedom Town, USA"". esports.gg. September 25, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Kamala Harris Launches 'Freedom Town' Map On Fortnite Following Biden's 'Animal Crossing' In 2020". Times Now. October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "Kamala Harris Signs Pop Up in 'Fortnite' as Candidates Chase the Gamer Vote". Bloomberg.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Haner, Joanne (October 28, 2024). "Harris campaign releases its own Fortnite map". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Wolens, Joshua (October 28, 2024). "As US politics goes totally off the rails, Kamala Harris says to hell with it, let's start a Fortnite map". PC Gamer. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Harris-Walz Campaign Targets Videogamers With Custom 'Fortnite' Map". The Wall Street Journal. October 28, 2024.