In such a short space of time, Fortnite Battle Royale has become certified gaming phenomenon. Pitting 100 players against each other on a single map, it melds fun, cartoonish gameplay with a fierce competitive streak, and has attracted millions of players across the globe across all ages and demographics.
Season 10 is now officially live, and we've got details of all the latest updates. In Out of Time there are some map changes and a brand new time travel theme to contend with.
To help you keep on top of what's new and what's coming up in Fortnite, we've put together this handy page which will be updated with all the latest announcements. So to get you ready for blast off, here's everything you need to know about Fortnite.
What is Fortnite?
There's been a lot of hype surrounding Fortnite since its release in July 2017. But what exactly is it?
Fortnite is a battle royale game which sees you thrown onto an island with no weapons or armor and it's up to you to scavenge for supplies and fight for your life to be the last man or squad standing at the end of the game – with the added pressure of a shrinking map that closes in as the match progresses, forcing players into tighter skirmishes.
The game is available for free on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android, with in-game purchases limited to purely cosmetic options.
Fortnite update news and Fortnite patch notes
- What's new? Fortnite Season 10 is live. Find out what's involved below!
Image Credit: Epic Games
Fortnite is now into season 10 and it's brought brand new map locations and items with it.
Rift Zones
As a result of the Zero Point Explosion the Fortnite island is becoming volatile with Rift Zones appearing everywhere. These zones are transforming the various locations on the island and according to Epic Games, these transformations will change as the season progresses. Old locations are reappearing and current ones are evolving. One example of a returning location is Dusty Depot which was a victim of the season 4 comet. Speaking of the comet, that's floating in the sky above the island and players can visit it for a look around.
The focal point for these changes seems to be a giant orb at Loot Lake. It's worth popping by to take a look at it because it's growing and the gravity changes around it allow for some floaty fun.
Weapons and Items
The biggest new item in season 10 is the B. R. U. T. E mech vehicle. It can be operated by up to two players, one driving while the other mans the on-board shotgun and missile launcher. The vehicle also has an interesting mechanic: Overshield. This will see the vehicle consume 200 of any material type to create a 5 second shield that will protect you in the vehicle.
With the new mech, quite a few things have been vaulted. Say goodbye to Baller, Quad Crasher, Flint Lock Pistol, Shadow Bomb, Semi-Automatic Sniper, Tactical Assault Rifle , Mounted Turret and Air Strike.
Gameplay
There are some new missions in Fortnite for Battle Pass Owners. These thematic objectives can be completed to earn rewards. Battle Pass owners will see a new weekly mission each week.
Limited Time Missions
Limited Time Missions in this update have replaced Daily Challenges and can be completed by all platers. These Limited Time Missions are comprised of objectives which will unlock over a week, with one objective opening up each day regardless of whether or not you've logged in. This is basically an incentive to log in every day and complete your objective to complete the weekly mission before the new one begins.
The patch notes for version 10 can be viewed in full on the official Epic website.
- See also: how to unblock Fortnite at school or the office
- Or check out: the best gaming keyboards for Fortnite
Can I play Fortnite on mobile?
Yes you can! Well, maybe. After months of waiting, Fortnite is finally on both iOS and Android, though you'll need a phone that can actually run the game.
iOS users can download straight from the App Store. As long as you're using iOS 11 on iPhone 6S/SE, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2, iPad 2017, iPad Pro devices or later you'll be fine. Oh, and you'll need an internet connection, naturally.
Fortnite also hit Android phones and finally came out of beta in October 2018. You can see the full list of phones – and how to find the Fortnite Installer – on our Fortnite on Android page.
Is it the full game?
It is the full Fortnite game. There are some small differences: it’s not quite as visually impressive as it is on more powerful devices, the controls are touchscreen, and a lot of audio cues have been made visual so you can play comfortably in public without the need for headphones. But you won’t be missing out on any key features.
What's the deal with cross-play?
A sweet deal is what it is. While previously Xbox One and PS4 owners couldn't play the game together, Sony's U-turn on the matter means that now everyone across Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android can all take part in the crossfire.
So if you've got friends that prefer PC, others that prefer console and you're off on holiday with your mobile, that's no reason for the fun to stop.
There's also cross-progression. So, if you're logged into your Fortnite account on mobile and you later log into your console to play there, everything you did on mobile later that day is carried over.
Sounds great, how do I get it?
We have a guide on how to get Fortnite on mobile on TechRadar and we're constantly updating it with the latest rollout news. If your device isn't there yet, keep checking back and one day it probably will be.
What's a Fortnite Battle Pass?
The Battle Pass is a purchasable item in Fortnite that gives you access to exclusive in-game rewards.
As players complete daily challenges and level up their rank, they earn Battle Stars which can then be used to unlock Tiers in their Battle Pass. Each new Tier you unlock will bring both Free and Premium rewards. Season 10 has also seen the introduction of missions to the battle pass. These are thematic objectives that span the island and on completing them you'll unlock additional rewards.
Everyone that has a Battle Pass will get the Free reward they unlock, but only Premium Pass holders will get the Premium reward. Battle Pass Premium can only be purchased with in-game V bucks and not with real money.
You can purchase a Battle Pass for around £7/$ 10 in the Battle Pass tab of the game’s menu.
Twitch Prime benefits
Those who use Twitch Prime and play Fortnite will be glad to know that they have access to free loot right now. Those with a Prime account can claim the Fortnite Twitch Prime Pack and the Fortnite Twitch Prime Pack 2 which include a host of cosmetic items and are available across all platforms.
The first pack includes two exclusive gliders and outfits: the Havoc Outfit and Back Bling, plus the Sub Commander Outfit and Slipstream Glider. The second pack contains three exclusive items for Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode including the camouflage-heavy Trailblazer Outfit, the True North Back Bling, and the Tenderizer Pickaxe. There’s also a brand new dance emote for those that like the dance floor as much as the battleground.
The packs can only be claimed on a single platform, but they can be shared across PC/console and mobile as long as you use the same Epic account across these platforms. You can’t however, share your loot across PS4 and Xbox One even if you are using the same Epic account.
(Image credits: Epic Games)