Lego Fortnite is getting a significant boost with the announcement of a new GTA-style roleplaying city, dubbed Brick Life, and a revamped text chat system. This expansion marks a major milestone in the partnership between Epic Games and Lego, which kicked off a year ago with the launch of Lego Fortnite, a Minecraft-style survival experience.

Brick Life, set to launch on December 12th, promises an immersive social roleplay experience where players can explore a Lego-ified city with 31 other players, take on various jobs, design their own homes, and engage in missions. The game's concept bears a striking resemblance to the popular roleplaying servers in Grand Theft Auto V, albeit with a more family-friendly tone.

As part of this expansion, Lego Fortnite, the original Minecraft-style survival experience, is being rebranded as Lego Fortnite Odyssey. The "Lego Fortnite" moniker will now serve as the umbrella term for the hub inside Fortnite, housing all Lego experiences. This move signals a deepening collaboration between Epic Games and Lego, which has been steadily expanding its presence within Fortnite over the past year.

The ongoing partnership between Epic Games and Lego may provide valuable insights into the upcoming "persistent universe" project, a joint venture with Disney following a $1.5 billion investment in February. While details about this virtual world remain scarce, the Lego Fortnite expansion offers a glimpse into the possibilities of this ambitious collaboration.

In addition to the Brick Life announcement, Epic Games is also introducing a revamped text chat system, set to roll out on December 10th. This feature will offer three types of text chat: party channel for squad communication, game channel for public conversations, and direct messages with friends. To ensure a safe and family-friendly environment, Epic has implemented two types of chat filters, one removing personal information and another filtering out mature language and toxicity, which will be enabled by default for players under 13.

The revamped text chat system also includes a reporting feature, similar to the voice reporting tool launched last year. This move demonstrates Epic's commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive community within Fortnite.

This flurry of announcements comes at a busy time for Fortnite, with the battle royale game currently in the midst of a new chapter, following an ambitious music-themed season. The game has also seen the return of the nostalgia-filled Fortnite OG as a permanent mode, and the introduction of "Ballistic," a multiplayer first-person shooter mode launching on December 11th.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Epic Games' strategic partnerships and innovative features are poised to shape the future of interactive entertainment. The Lego Fortnite expansion and revamped text chat system are just the latest examples of the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming experiences.