Shohei Ohtani Exclusive Interview: Unveiling His Gaming Side – Collaboration with Fortnite and Gaming Life with Mamiko

Ohtani’s In-Game Debut and Special Companion: His Dog, Decopin

The Fortnite collaboration features three costume variations for Ohtani: the home white uniform, the away gray uniform, and a LEGO-style version for LEGO Fortnite. Additionally, the game includes a bobblehead-style back accessory of his beloved dog, Decopin, as well as a Pitching machine-inspired pickaxe named "The Trustworthy Two-Way."

Ohtani personally participated in the development process and was particularly excited about Decopin’s in-game debut.

"The costume looks amazing, but I’m even happier that Decopin is part of it," Ohtani said as a proud pet owner.

Although there had been previous offers to feature Decopin in other projects, Ohtani had declined them. This time, however, he was won over by the adorable design.

"The details, like the black part of his ears, were perfectly captured. It’s really cute!" he laughed.

The game also includes exclusive emotes: "Let’s Go Batter," which mimics Ohtani’s pre-batting ritual, and "Puppy Home Run," where Decopin tosses a ball for Ohtani to hit. Watching the animation, Ohtani joked, "It looks really smooth! I think Decopin gave me a great toss."

Building a Dream Team: Ohtani’s Fortnite Squad

In Fortnite, players can compete solo or form squads of up to four players. When asked which Dodgers teammates he would choose for his ideal Fortnite squad, Ohtani selected:

Mookie Betts – "He's good at everything. He would be the ace of our team."
Teoscar Hernández – "He's got great chemistry with teammates."
Tommy Edman – "His adaptability would shine in any group."
While known for his precision in baseball, Ohtani admitted that his Fortnite playstyle is quite the opposite.

"In Fortnite, I just rush in. I’m not the cautious type," he laughed.

Gaming as a Communication Tool: Ohtani’s Experience with Teammates

Despite his intense baseball focus, Ohtani occasionally plays video games to relax.

"During spring training, I had time to play by myself. Last year, I played here and there, and sometimes, my wife and I played co-op games together," he revealed.

Interestingly, Fortnite also helped Ohtani bond with teammates when he first moved to MLB. He recalled how playing the game with former teammate Andrelton Simmons allowed them to connect beyond baseball.

"Playing games with teammates is a great way to communicate. You can talk while playing, and even if you don’t speak the same language, you can understand each other through the game," he explained.

A Message to Fans: Connecting Baseball and Gaming

The MLB Tokyo Series kicks off on March 18, marking the release of Ohtani’s Fortnite costume and accessories.

"I’d be thrilled if people who usually don’t watch baseball decide to check out the Tokyo Series because of this. On the other hand, I’d also love for baseball fans who don’t usually play games to try out Fortnite with my character," he said. "I’m looking forward to making this a great opening game!"

Shohei Ohtani Joins Fortnite PV

Source : ORICON NEWS