Fortnite fans are probably staring at a lifeless black hole, wondering when their beloved Battle Royale will make a return. So effective was Epic’s marketing sting (perfectly timed with a bit of server maintenance) that I’ve seen many people on forums and Facebook asking if Fortnite’s really dead and buried. It is, of course, not.
With the amount of money that Epic makes from the game, killing it off would be like throwing bales of cash into a furnace (they leave that job to Battle Pass buyers). Of course Fortnite’s coming back. Yesterday we learned that the Italian App store leaked the existence of Fortnite’s Chapter 2 reawakening, and now we’ve got a leaked trailer for the thing (Thanks Skin-Tracker!)
So what’ll be in the game when it returns?
- Well, the big kicker, obviously, is the brand new map
- There are boats
- There’s swimming!
- Physics are improved
- Oh look, there are co-op emotes (note the high five at the end)
- There seem to be… pogo sticks?
- There’s stealth (note the player jumping out of the dumpster)
- A new progression and levelling system (You can level up by fishing!)
- You can carry downed players in co-op
- Up to a 1500 V-Buck reward for completing the Battle Pass
It’s not a complete overhaul of the game or its systems, but it looks like there’s enough here to draw players black, and probably bring in some fresh meat. What is noteworthy about the trailer is the general lack of building on display. Fortnite right now quickly divides players amongst those who can do ridiculously quick, good building and losers i.e. those who can’t (I’m firmly in that group). Judging by the trailer, it seems like this new Chapter places a little less emphasis on the building aspect.
When’s it back though? Who knows. Some suggest it’ll be today, others say that a change in Fortnite.com’s code says it’ll be on Thursday. Either way, it’s a master marketing move from Epic.
Last Updated: October 15, 2019
G8crasha
October 15, 2019 at 07:58
I too fall into the category of “bad builder”, but I also acknowledge the building aspect of the game is what made it so different to so many other BR games. If that loses it worth and value in the game, and it becomes more vanilla BR like so many other BR titles, I think it is doing the franchise a disservice!
G8crasha
October 15, 2019 at 07:58
I too fall into the category of “bad builder”, but I also acknowledge the building aspect of the game is what made it so different to so many other BR games. If that loses it worth and value in the game, and it becomes more vanilla BR like so many other BR titles, I think it is doing the franchise a disservice!
Original Heretic
October 15, 2019 at 08:41
They should have kept it offline for two weeks.
Raptor Rants
October 15, 2019 at 09:21
Bad builder here. I don’t think it should be removed from the game. It’s part of what made it what it is. Would be a bad idea to go “Generic”
Admiral Chief
October 15, 2019 at 09:30
Your face is generic man!
(goes to read article)
Magius
October 15, 2019 at 09:21
It would be odd for them to remove the building mechanics or diminish that mechanic, that is what sets Fortnite apart from other BR games
HairyEwok
October 15, 2019 at 11:50
Damnit, and here I thought Elon Musk did it and shut down the servers for us.
CrAiGiSh
October 15, 2019 at 13:43
Decent looking trailer.