Rivian R1S Breaks Ground as First Non-Tesla Electric SUV in Fortnite and Rocket League

Rivian's R1S electric SUV is set to make its gaming debut in Fortnite and Rocket League, becoming the first fully electric SUV from a non-Tesla EV manufacturer to appear in these blockbuster titles. Leaks from dataminers, shared on X by users 'Hilbe' and 'NJSpiderDenny,' reveal the R1S as the 'Rivian Series' car body featuring a custom livery inspired by Rivian's Adventure Department (RAD). This retro decal in teal, orange, and yellow nods to the RAD unit launched in late February. The integration is expected with Fortnite's v40.10 update around April 1, during Chapter 7 Season 2, and will also hit Rocket League for wider reach. This step fits Rivian's plan to engage younger gamers and amplify brand awareness via its Epic Games partnership. The RAD-themed livery spotlights Rivian's focus on adventure through its Rivian Adventure Department, established in late February. Comprising designers, engineers, and enthusiasts, RAD tests vehicles in harsh environments to improve off-road capabilities. 'RAD embodies the passion that drives Rivian,' noted Chief Design Officer Jeff Hammoud at the launch. 'It's woven into the fabric of our company.' Rivian's prowess shines in feats like the 2023 Rebelle Rally victory—the inaugural for an EV in this U.S. navigation rally—and consecutive Pikes Peak electric truck records in 2023 and 2024. RAD first appeared at the 2024 FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana, with a Quad R1S display. It also introduced Tuner software for Gen 2 Quad owners, allowing customizations to power, torque, stability, and braking for rugged terrains, showcasing EV tuning innovations. Fortnite, boasting over 400 million users, has featured few EVs so far, including Tesla's Cybertruck in July 2024 for Chapter 5 Season 3 and Dodge's Charger Daytona Scat Pack in Chapter 6 Season 2. While plug-in hybrids like the Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari 296 GTB are present, most vehicles from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, and Land Rover are gas-powered. The R1S entry could help Rivian connect with youth and penetrate untapped U.S. inland markets. This ties into Rivian's adoption of Epic's Unreal Engine for infotainment, mirroring the tech behind Fortnite and Rocket League for engaging driver experiences. In 2023, Epic demoed a high-fidelity R1T model with 71 million polygons in Unreal Engine 5.2 at GDC. In November 2024, Qualcomm and Epic's collaboration on Snapdragon-based cockpits further cements Rivian's role in advancing gaming-infused EV interfaces.