Nike’s Latest Sneakers Are Only Available in Fortnite

Nike’s newest sneaker release is entirely digital.

Nike’s Jordan Brand has partnered with Fortnite, the uber-popular video game made by Epic Games, to unveil two new characters, called skins, wearing Nike shoes. Sporting Nike’s classic Air Force 1s, the skins come in a few different colors including red and black, like the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, and purple and yellow, like the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s just the latest crossover partnership between Fortnite and other pop-culture icons. Last year, Epic Games teamed up with the National Football League to bring virtual jerseys to the game. Earlier this month, Epic introduced a new place on the Fortnite map modeled after the house from the “John Wick” movie franchise. There have also been “Avengers” crossovers.

 

These limited-time deals are meant to keep the game fresh, while giving partners some advertising in

a youth-friendly venue. Fortnite, which was released in July 2017, now has roughly 250 million registered users.
Given that level of exposure, Evercore ISI footwear analyst Omar Saad described the Nike-Fortnite agreement as a “genius” move. But it’s not clear if Nike gets a share of the revenue from the skins, which cost $13 to $18, Saad said.
The Jordan partnership comes alongside the launch of a new game mode called Downtown Drop, which is a race through city streets, very different from the traditional Fortnite battle royale.