Fortnite Experience Brings Pediatric Heart Transplant Journey to a Global Youth Audience
A new interactive experience inside the global gaming platform Fortnite is highlighting the pediatric heart transplant journey for millions of young players worldwide. Developed by Ghost Gaming in collaboration with Enduring Hearts, the limited-time experience was launched during Heart Month to build awareness and empathy around the challenges faced by children awaiting heart transplantation.
The story-driven quest, “Side Quest: Heartbeat on the Wind,” takes place within a free Fortnite island environment and follows a child with advanced heart disease as she awaits transplant. Players actively participate in problem-solving tasks related to supporting the patient’s care, including assembling and deploying a mechanical circulatory support device inspired by real-world technologies funded through pediatric transplant research.
The developers worked from real patient stories and clinical journeys to shape the narrative arc, with the goal of translating complex medical and emotional realities into an accessible, age-appropriate interactive format. Unlike passive media, the gaming environment places the participant in an active role, reinforcing patient-centered perspective and long-term care themes.
For those familiar with Enduring Hearts’ mission, the initiative represents a novel extension of its research and awareness strategy — meeting younger audiences where they already are and framing pediatric transplant not only as a surgical event, but as a lifelong journey requiring innovation, follow-up care, and continued research investment.
ISHLT partners with Enduring Hearts on research grants and collaborates through the Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance. This project offers an example of how patient journey storytelling, digital platforms, and research advocacy can intersect to expand public understanding of advanced heart failure and transplantation in children.
The experience is available globally for a limited period and includes optional links for players and families who wish to support pediatric transplant research.