A Fortnite player recently noticed a strange texture in the game that resembled mold and shared a screenshot on Twitter. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney responded to the post, revealing that the texture is actually the default texture from Unreal Engine, which he imported back in 1995. The texture appears in the game when a programmer forgets to specify a different one.
Contrary to what some players thought, the texture is not mold, but rather a stock photo of cave pearls, which are calcium carbonate deposits found in limestone caves. Sweeney even jokingly suggested that the texture could be eaten, as it resembles the calcium carbonate found in heartburn medicine like Tums.
While some players had already discovered the origins of the texture back in 2015, it was still interesting to hear directly from Sweeney about the nostalgic artifact from the 1990s. This quirky detail adds a fun and unexpected element to the game for players who are familiar with Unreal Engine’s history.
Overall, this revelation provides insight into the development process of Fortnite and highlights the unique quirks that can arise from using older technology in modern games. It’s a reminder of the long-lasting impact of decisions made decades ago and how they can still influence our experiences today.