ISP Sky Broadband UK Launch Sky City Map in Fortnite Video Game

Customers of UK ISP Sky Broadband, particularly those who enjoy certain online multiplayer video and computer games, may be interested to learn that the provider has launched a custom-built world (map) created for Fortnite called ‘Sky City‘. This is said to form part of their “ambition to be the #1 broadband provider for gamers”.

According to Sky, the “immersive” new “brand experience” allows players to “find seamless and authentic references to Sky Broadband, alongside other Sky brands, which blend in with and enrich the world without overshadowing the player experience“, which probably sounded exciting to Sky’s marketing team (i.e. actual gamers may have a.. different perspective).

Sky goes on to state that 16 players will enter the Sky City map via a “series of speed rails, a core feature of Sky Broadband” (we’ve never heard of ‘speed rails’ as a broadband feature). The map is said to be designed for rooftop battles, where players use speed rails and launch pads to gain a competitive edge. This unique activation is said to enable Sky Broadband to engage with a “core audience that traditional media isn’t able to reach“.

Apparently, all of this is going to be accompanied by a “series of livestream events which allow players to battle alongside their favourite creators, engage in challenges and win real-world prizes from Sky Broadband,” although none of those prizes are mentioned. Highlights of the tournament will then be posted on Sky UK and “influencer channels” on a weekly basis.

Sunny Bhurji, Sky Connectivity’s Marketing Director, said:

“I’m super excited about the launch of Sky City and the Speed Showdown activation as it once again demonstrates how Sky Broadband is essential to its gaming customers. It’s a first-of-its-kind tournament that really brings streamers and their audiences together and is all powered by Sky Broadband. I can’t wait to see the players in our Sky City Map, created in Fortnite.“

On the one hand, we welcome the inventive and interesting approach of an ISP / media empire creating their own Fortnite map as a means of promoting the brand to gamers. On the other hand, if an ISP really wants to become the “#1 broadband provider” for gaming, then it should be trying to demonstrate or promote that more in terms of its network features, optimisations and router hardware. Easier said than done, of course.

However, for what it’s worth, since the new map went live (yesterday) the activation has generated the following engagement stats:

➤ Total lifetime plays – 111,129
➤ Average playtime – 17 mins
➤ Average island retention – 8.26%
➤ Epic pick ranking – #1