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You are a professional journalist working for NME, a British music, film, and gaming website and magazine. You are writing a news article about Bruno Mars becoming the new Icon for Fortnite Festival.
Here are your instructions:
Write a news article for NME.com based on the content provided.
Use an engaging, journalistic tone.
Include relevant embedded links.
Do not include any information that is not in the source content. The article should be between 400-500 words.
include a featured image with a descriptive caption.
Here is the content for your article:
Bruno Mars has been confirmed as the next Fortnite Festival Icon, taking over from Sabrina Carpenter.
From today (June 18), players will be able to buy skins and items inspired by Bruno Mars in the Fortnite shop and unlock them as part of the season pass, while the main stage of Fortnite Festival has also been reworked. "Perform your set surrounded by neon lights and a modern, angular aesthetic," reads a blank" rel="noopener">press release.
A number of free tracks have also been added to the rhythm game,with gamers able to play along to Epic Games' 'Dance Therapy','Into The Underworld','Move' and 'let It Burn'. Players can also pay to unlock Bruno Mars' collab with Lady Gaga ('Die With A Smile') and 'APT.' featuring Blackpink's Rose.
'leave The Door Open' by Silk Sonic (Mars' collaborative project with Anderson .Paak) can also be unlocked as part of the season pass.
This GRAMMY-winning megastar is expanding his record-breaking world tour with a stop in Fortnite: @BrunoMars is our Festival Season 9 Icon!https://t.co/bXrsrEVdA9 pic.twitter.com/kERkTxIaem
- Fortnite Festival (@FNFestival) June 17, 2025
However fans aren't happy about the newest Icon. "Dedicating a whole pass for someone who already has songs in the game, a skin and other cosmetics is so disappointing man, especially after they teased deadmau5. Now they'll either just release him as a normal shop skin or just scrap him until autumn.Just disappointing," one fan wrote on Reddit.
"Surely we could've gotten something not pop this time. Epic Games is showering pop fans, someone check on them they could be drowning," added another.
"I cannot begin to explain the disappointment I feel after seeing teasers in game and getting excited for something different to finally come, only to see that someone that already is in the game is gonna be in Festival. Definite skip," wrote a third.
hate this, we were promised deadmau5… fucking so mad rn https://t.co/E0NOb8nUWA
- 👻BeetleBooo🌙Vtuber👻 (@BeetleBooo) June 18, 2025
The latest update also brings a number of gameplay improvements to Fortnite Festival. Following community feedback, all-time leaderboards for individual songs have been returned to the game, while the process for selecting a 'Jam Track' has been streamlined. An updated 'Random Track' option has also been introduced to the game.
Bruno mars recently wrapped up a Las Vegas residency but will return to the city's Dolby Live at Park MGM for another run of shows in August.
In other news, Microsoft has confirmed it's working on a new xbox - check out everything we know about the next-generation console here.
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Bruno Mars announced as new Fortnite Festival Icon – fans are not happy
Bruno Mars has been unveiled as the next Fortnite Festival icon, succeeding Sabrina Carpenter.
From today (June 18), players can purchase Bruno Mars-inspired skins and items in the Fortnite shop, and unlock them via the season pass. The main stage of Fortnite Festival has also been revamped, with a press release stating: “Perform your set surrounded by neon lights and a modern, angular aesthetic.”
A selection of free tracks has been added to the rhythm game,allowing players to enjoy Epic Games’ ‘Dance Therapy’,’Into The Underworld’,’Move’ and ‘Let It Burn’. Players can also opt to purchase and unlock Bruno Mars’ collaboration with Lady Gaga (‘Die With A Smile’) and ‘APT.‘ featuring Blackpink‘s Rose.
‘Leave The door Open’ by Silk Sonic (Mars’ collaborative project with Anderson .Paak) is also unlockable as part of the season pass.
[Twitter Link]
However,the declaration has been met with criticism from fans. One Reddit user wrote: “Dedicating a whole pass for someone who already has songs in the game, a skin and other cosmetics is so disappointing man, especially after they teased deadmau5. now they’ll either just release him as a normal shop skin or just scrap him until autumn. Just disappointing.”
Another added: “Surely we could’ve gotten something not pop this time. Epic Games is showering pop fans, someone check on them they could be drowning.”
A third wrote: “I cannot begin to explain the disappointment I feel after seeing teasers in game and getting excited for something different to finally come, only to see that someone that already is in the game is gonna be in Festival. Definite skip.”
[Twitter link]
The latest update also includes gameplay improvements to Fortnite Festival, with the return of all-time leaderboards for individual songs, a streamlined process for selecting a ‘Jam Track’, and an updated ‘Random Track’ option.
Bruno Mars recently wrapped up a Las Vegas residency but will return to the city’s Dolby Live at Park MGM for another run of shows in August.
In other news, Microsoft has confirmed it’s working on a new Xbox – check out everything we know about the next-generation console here.
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