If you’re waiting for your chance to experience Fortnite’s latest update, just be patient.
The popular online game’s servers will be experiencing downtime early Saturday morning, so late-night gamers will have to pause their Battle Royale grind for a few hours.
The downtime comes with a purpose, as Epic Games is releasing its annual summer update for Fortnite. The update is coming earlier than originally reported, so players may be surprised by the server maintenance.
Don’t fret, as the game will be playable after downtime concludes Saturday with seasonal cosmetics, maps and features. Fortnite is also adding a new, limited-time game mode, though that may extend the server maintenance.
Whether you’re booted off the Fortnite servers early Saturday or intrigued by the changes in the latest update, the Sporting News has you covered on all the details.
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Why are Fortnite servers down?
Fortnite servers are set to undergo maintenance as Epic Games installs a new update for the popular multiplayer game.
The update includes summer-themed cosmetics, maps and features. Fortnite does this each year to keep up with real-life events and players.
The second part of the update may be even more exciting for original Fortnite players. Epic Games is introducing a new, limited-time game mode called Fortnite Reload. Its map will feature some of the game’s original places of interest, such as Tilted Towers and Pleasant Park.
Oh hiiiii, Tilted ? pic.twitter.com/PCfIJN7VUC
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) June 21, 2024
Both halves of the update may come as a surprise to the gaming community, as the update is coming a few days ahead of schedule compared to the initial reports. And the new game mode wasn’t announced until Friday.
When will Fortnite downtime end?
Fortnite severs are expected to be down for about four hours Saturday, regardless of which platform one plays on.
The latest update, including the summer-themed features and limited-time Reload game mode, is set to be installed starting at 1 a.m. ET Saturday, June 22. Installation should conclude around 5 a.m. ET, when players can return to the Battle Bus.
What’s the Fortnite summer update?
The Fortnite summer update is designed to implement summer-themed features into the popular multiplayer game throughout its various game modes.
The update also likely will start the Summer Fest event, though it is not confirmed that the event will begin as soon as the update is live.
Epic Games hasn’t officially announced any specifics regarding what will be included in the summer update, but it’s likely introducing new cosmetics. Those can be gun skins, player skins or even some backpack bling. A map change is also a possibility, potentially adding in more beach fronts or summer-related places.
Nothing is confirmed yet, so it’ll be a big surprise Saturday when players return to the game.
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What’s the new Fortnite game mode?
Along with the summer update, Epic Games is bringing back some fan-favorite locations in a new, limited-time game mode. The mode is called Reload and will feature favorite haunts such as Tilted Tower, Pleasant Park and Retail Row.
Reload will be a new game mode, separate from the original battle royale. Not only will it feature some iconic locations from the early days of Fortnite, it will have a different approach.
In typical gameplay, a squad member can only revive a teammate if they have the reboot card and are near a reboot van. Reload will reportedly allow teammates to revive as long as one team member is still alive.
The style may not be for everyone, so Fortnite is keeping its normal battle royale as an option to play.
Skies of rifts.
Countless reboots.
It’s time to Reload: https://t.co/NtKIoPkIs6 pic.twitter.com/L6UMH52SxT— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) June 21, 2024
How long will Fortnite Reload last?
Fortnite Reload is scheduled to be live starting at 5 a.m. ET Saturday, June 22. There isn’t a confirmed end date just yet, though it is just a limited-time mode.