Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney slams "scam" Fortnite NFT project

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has warned Fortnite players to avoid a fake cryptocurrency project that is trying to affiliate itself with the popular multiplayer shooter.

The chief exec seemed to be directly referring to a project called Fortnite Token, which claims to be a "fair-launch, community-driven" cryptocurrency project created by fans of Fortnite.

At the time of writing, Fortnite Token has fewer than 2000 followers on Twitter but has been advertising using Fortnite branding and imploring people to begin minting NFTs on its website with a view to selling them on.

After becoming aware of the project, Sweeney engaged with Fortnite Token on social media and described it as "a scam."

When those overseeing the Fortnite Token socials attempted to push back, Sweeney explained they "can't use the Fortnite name and images without permission to market an unrelated project." In a separate tweet, the Epic boss then sought to warn players about the project.

"There isn't a Fortnite cryptocurrency," he added. "The Twitter accounts promoting such a thing are a scam. Epic's lawyers are on it. Also, shame on the cryptocurrency marketplaces that enable this kind of thing."

Sweeney's remarks come shortly after Gala Games announced its shooter Grit would become the first Epic Games Store project to incorporate NFTs.

Although other marketplaces such as Valve have put the kibosh on blockchain projects, Sweeney has previously said the Epic Games Store will open its doors to those titles provided they "follow the relevant laws, disclose their terms, and are age-rated by an appropriate group."