“Freedom Town” Flops: Harris Campaign’s Gun-BAN Fortnite Map Completely Fails with Gamers

In an Epic campaign strategy FAIL, Kamala Harris’ team introduced a custom, gun-free map on the popular game Fortnite, hoping to appeal to young voters. Ironically dubbed “Freedom Town, USA,” the map was intended to engage players with messages about affordable housing, tax relief, and community initiatives. But instead of generating buzz, the launch has become a running joke on how campaigns can fall flat with audiences they don’t fully understand.

Unlike Fortnite’s traditional battle royale gameplay, “Freedom Town” removed all weapons.

Instead, they offered players activities like gathering supplies, building structures, and searching for campaign posters. This no-combat approach didn’t resonate with players, peaking at just under 400 players—minuscule compared to the 300,000+ players drawn to popular maps like “Ranked Reload.” Many online joked that the Harris campaign may have misunderstood the draw of Fortnite itself, which often centers on high-stakes combat and competition.

Gaming critics didn’t hold back. Left-leaning writer Paul Tassi described the map’s features—two circular racetracks, basic parkour segments, and a sparse storyline—as uninspiring. Tassi argued that a more impactful choice would have been a playable Kamala Harris “skin” in Fortnite’s main battle mode, allowing her to engage directly with players through the game’s signature competitive style. “Freedom Town,” however, felt like a children’s activity set, unlikely to draw the older teen and young adult demographic it targeted.

The reception underscores the ongoing struggle for out-of-touch political campaigns to find their footing in gaming communities. The Harris campaign’s attempt to leverage Fortnite’s cultural influence ultimately left many players unimpressed. Former President Trump, by comparison, recently attracted half a million viewers in a livestream with influencer Adin Ross, suggesting that authentic and culturally relevant outreach may be key to winning over younger audiences.

Adding to the misstep, Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, released a statement clarifying that it did not endorse or sponsor the map, distancing itself from the campaign’s messaging.

This raises questions about the campaign’s total disregard of Epic’s terms of service, which prohibit real-world political solicitations on Fortnite maps. This alone should have banned the “Freedom Town” skin from the platform.

Ultimately, “Freedom Town” will be remembered as a tale of an Epic Fail rather than a successful outreach effort. For campaigns looking to engage younger audiences who have grown up with games with weapons, it’s clear that understanding the culture and expectations of the gaming community is essential.