• Fortnite's Star Wars Day celebrations have officially begun
• Three new game modes made by Epic and Lucasfilm have been added, alongside hundreds more made by creators
• New Star Wars cosmetics and events will be released throughout May

Epic Games has released the roadmap for its month-long Fortnite x Star Wars Day celebrations, which includes a "galaxy of new Star Wars games" and more to keep fans busy.

While Star Wars Das officially begins on May 4, three new game modes made by Epic and Lucasfilm, along with hundreds of islands made by creators using the official Star Wars toolkit, are available in Fortnite as of today.

"After years of creating Star Wars experiences with Disney and Lucasfilm, we gave Star Wars’ heroes, worlds and assets to Fortnite creators so they could build the experiences they’ve always dreamed of playing. It’s now possible to create a limitless variety of games in the Star Wars universe that anyone in Fortnite can play," said Adam Sussman, president of Epic Games.

The three designed by Epic and Lucasfilm are Galactic Siege, a Battlefront-like mode featuring large-scale, PvP class-based battles with 10v10 combat across iconic Star Wars planets.

Then there's Escape Vader, a four-player co-op game where you need to hide, run, and survive against Darth Vader, and lastly Droid Tycoon, where players build and customize droids using authentic Star Wars blueprints, manage their workshop and factory systems, and unlock rare components and special missions.

"Interactive entertainment is rapidly becoming one of the defining forces in how audiences experience stories, and Disney is fully embracing that evolution," added Sean Shoptaw, executive VP of Disney Games and Digital Entertainment. "Games offer a uniquely powerful way to deepen engagement, expand our worlds, and connect with fans in real time. As this space continues to grow, we see extraordinary potential to elevate Disney storytelling in ways that are innovative, social, and built for the way people play today."

With the release of these modes also comes new Star Wars Quests, with more to come every week in May, all offering free rewards upon completion.

New The Clone Wars skins and accessories for Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker have also arrived in the Item Shop today, along with the return of more Star Wars Outfits, and players can unlock a free Carbonite Fishstick Back Bling for linking their account to MyDisney.

On May 14, Lego Fortnite Odyssey will get its own Star Wars update with a new Hover Bricker, hover vehicles, the Mandalorian and Grogu, and Star Wars enemies.

Additionally, on May 19, players can log in and join the The Mandalorian and Grogu Watch Party Island to see a special message from creator Jon Favreau and get a 10-minute sneak peek of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu ahead of the theatrical release on May 22.

However, players must first collect bounties and defend the city against waves of enemies, find Grogu, and spend 20 minutes exploring Nevarro to unlock the exclusive Mandalorian Sanctuary loading screen.

Finally, on May 26, players can visit the island’s amphitheatre to watch a Q&A with Favreau about the film and making of The Mandalorian and Grogu Watch Party Island.

• Fortnite developer Epic Games is laying off more than 1,000 employees
• This was confirmed by a memo sent to staff written by CEO Tim Sweeney
• "I'm sorry we're here again," Sweeney wrote.

Fortnite developer Epic Games has announced that it will lay off more than 1,000 employees.

A memo written by founder and CEO Tim Sweeney sent out to staff confirmed that the developer will be cutting more than 1,000 jobs. "I'm sorry we're here again," he wrote.

He blamed a "downturn in Fortnite engagement" for the decision and said that the company was now spending "significantly more" than it was bringing in.

Wider economic factors like the gaming industry's recent slower growth and the weaker uptake of current generation consoles, in addition to stiff competition from other forms of entertainment, were also fingered as causes. Interestingly, Sweeney does specifically clarify that the layoff isn't "related to AI" as some might fear, and said that the company wants to "have as many awesome developers" as it can.

It comes alongside $500 million worth of identified cost savings, focusing on contracting, marketing, and the closing of open roles.

This news comes just weeks after Epic Games announced that it would be raising the cost of the Fortnite in-game currency V-Bucks in order "help pay the bills". The new prices came into effect on March 19, 2026, and mean that a standard $8.99 purchase grants just 800 V-Bucks rather than the previous 1,000.

"The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot," the company noted in its blog post at the time.

• A new Fortnite Unreal Editor update has been released
• The update adds all-new Star Wars-inspired assets and tools
• Creators can design their own Star Wars islands and publish them from May 1

Epic Games has released a huge Fortnite Unreal Editor update that lets players create their own Star Wars islands.

As of today, Fortnite developers can access a curated collection of assets and tools from Epic Games' "largest IP toolset to date" and build Star Wars-inspired maps in Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) and Fortnite Creative.

The toolset includes all-new Star Wars templates and gameplay features, which also means players get access to all available Star Wars characters, like Luke Skywalker, Rey, Princess Leia, and The Mandalorian's Din Djarin, several locations, licensed music, vehicles, and 25 weapons from past Fortnite Battle Royale seasons.

The trailer demonstrates just how creative fans can get, and it looks like you can even go as far as creating a worthy Star Wars Battlefront 2 successor if you know what you're doing.

Four UEFN starter islands are currently available to start with, including the planets Hoth, Tatooine, and Nevarro. Two new Star Wars flat grid islands are also available for Fortnite Creative.

"Bring your island to the next level with Niagara-powered visual effects, making it easier to create large-scale moments from dogfights in asteroid fields to dramatic hyperspace entrance and exit sequences," Epic said.

Developers can also expand environments by adding iconic Star Wars locations, like the Death Star, Tatooine Cantina, and Resistance Base, and use background assets like a Star Destroyer to add scale to their scenes.

You can also customize lightsabers with Scene Graph and access Force powers for gameplay abilities like Push, Heal, and Mind Trick by using a special crafting workbench where players can modify their characters’ Force powers, as well as the appearance of their lightsabers.

There are also Team Conquest and narrative roleplaying templates to try out before building your own island.

Although the tools are available now, creators won't be able to publish their designs until May 1. Until then, Epic Games will continue to introduce more functionality to the toolkit, including first-person support for weapons and custom items and inventories in Beta.

• Fortnite will relaunch on the Google Play Store globally on March 19
• It was booted from the platform back in August 2020
• March 19 is the same day V-Buck price hikes are happening

Almost six years ago Fortnite was booted from the Google Play Store. On March 19, it’ll finally be back on the Android storefront globally.

It has been possible to download Fortnite on Android through third-party means such as the Epic Games store for mobile, or it could be streamed through services like Amazon Luna or Xbox Cloud Gaming, but this Play Store return will make the game much easier to access.

It’s the default Android app store, doesn't require you to click through any warnings of increased risk that could come with third-party installs, or to subscribe to any services.

According to the Play Store page you won’t just be returning to the Battle Royale modes — you’ll get the full experience. This includes Lego Fortnite, Fortnite OG, Festival, and all of the same creator-made multiplayer worlds that are accessible through Fortnite on PC or consoles.

It also seems mobile players will be dropping straight into the new Chapter 7 Season 2 Showdown season.

Unfortunately they’ll also be exposed to the updated higher V-Buck prices — from March 19 a standard pack of 1,000 V-Bucks will only give you 800 V-Bucks for the same price.

Epic Games is likely hoping this full-on return to Android will help alleviate player frustrations about rising costs, though if the chaotic X replies to its announcement post is anything to go a section of its audience is still hyper-focused on the higher costs – such as one on the nose comment asking Epic to “Revert V-Bucks and crew pack” with a gif showing an elephant in a room with the words “Address me.”

I for one am very excited by this news. My first ‘proper’ paid writing gig was covering Fortnite (and some other battle royales) and while I have fallen off considerably since that time where I played too many hours a day I do jump back in on occasion, and I imagine I’ll be tempted to jump back in a lot more if it’s as convenient as pressing an app icon on my Z Fold 7 or S26 Ultra.

The question remains, however, of when Epic Games’ battle royale will return in full to Apple’s App Store for iPhone users. It’s there for folks in the US, and the Epic Games Store marketplace can be accessed on iPhones in the EU, but many regions (the UK included) can’t access the game except via cloud streaming. Hopefully this is a sign that might change soon.

• Epic Games is increasing the price of all Fortnite V-Bucks Packs
• From March 19, a standard $8.99 Pack will now give 800 instead of 1000 V-Bucks
• The V-Bucks featured in the Battle Bundle and Fortnite Crew will also be lowered

Epic Games has announced that it will be raising the prices of Fortnite's V-Bucks this month.

Starting from March 19, the company said it will be offering fewer V-Bucks per Pack, meaning in a standard $8.99 Pack, you'll now receive 800 V-Bucks instead of 1000 V-Bucks. The full V-Buck Pack changes can be viewed below.

"The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot, and we're raising prices to help pay the bills," Epic Games said in a blog post.

Fortnite's Battle Pass will also now cost 800 V-Bucks instead of 1000 V-Bucks, and will now award 800 instead of 1000. The additional 500 V-Bucks in Bonus Rewards are also being dropped from the new system.

"You can earn 800 V-Bucks when completing the Battle Pass, which is enough to get the next one. There are no longer V-Bucks in the Bonus Rewards of the Pass," Epic explained.

Additionally, Fortnite's Battle Bundle, which includes the Battle Pass and the first 25 levels of the pass already unlocked, is going down from 2,800 to 2,600 V-Bucks.

Fortnite Crew, the monthly subscription service which is now included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, is also lowering its V-Bucks rewards from 1,000 to 800 V-Bucks.

Like the main Battle Pass, the OG Pass, the Music Pass, and the Lego Pass are also seeing changes:

• The OG Pass will cost 800 V-Bucks (previously 1,000). 
• The Music Pass will cost 1,200 V-Bucks (previously 1,400).
• The LEGO Pass will cost 1,200 V-Bucks (previously 1,400).

Fortnite players aren't too excited about this change, because although the general price of the Packs isn't increasing with real-world money, their value is.

"Bro changing the battle pass vbucks amount from 1500 to 800 is literally game breaking. This season was already kinda bad but now I’m just uninstalling," one player said on Reddit, while another announced they were "Cancelling my crew tonight. Good job Epic!,"

Another criticised the way Epic announced the news, saying, "'The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot, and we’re raising prices to help pay the bills'. Such a crazy way to deliver that news. I mean at least attempt to sugarcoat it."

Last month, Epic Games announced that PC players spent $1.16 billion on the Epic Games Store, up 6% year over year, while Statista reports that the company generated an estimated $6.21 billion in gross revenue in 2025 compared to $5.81 billion the previous year.

• Epic Games has tweeted a teaser for an upcoming collaboration with The Office
• Official details are currently scarce, but rumors point to the update arriving soon
• Chapter 7 continues on, with South Park being the latest major collaboration

Epic Games has teased a Fortnite collaboration with The Office, sharing an image with the words "Builds. Beets. Battle Royale." – a reference to a quote from the show.

The latest teaser was posted on X (see below), showing a picture of some beets. This is a nod to Dwight Schrute from The Office, who is a beet farmer in the show. While we're yet to hear more on a potential The Office crossover from Epic Games officially, there have been some rumors circulating amongst popular Fortnite leakers.

Fortnite leaker @ShiinaBR recently shared a leak suggesting that The Office, Space Jam, and other tie-ins were planned for release in Chapter 7. So far, Epic Games has seemingly confirmed The Office via the aforementioned teaser. We're yet to hear anything about the other leaks, which also include Ed, Edd, and Eddy.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1: Pacific Break is currently underway. For all the latest updates, including the release date for the next season, be sure to check out our Fortnite Chapter 7 guide.

• South Park is coming to Fortnite on January 9 with a free mini pass
• The crossover will introduce Outfits for Cartman, Kenny, Stan, Kyle, and Butters
• Players can also enjoy a brand new 5-person playlist called Quints until February 5

Epic Games has revealed that its next Fortnite crossover will be with the popular animated TV series South Park.

Although the collaboration was leaked ahead of time, the latest Born in Chaos trailer confirms that South Park's Cartman, Kenny, Stan, Kyle, and Butters will be headed to Fortnite and the new Cartmanland on January 9.

In addition to these new additions to the Item Shop, players will also be rewarded with free items from the free Born in Chaos mini pass, as well as take part in a limited-time 5-person playlist called Quints, which will conclude on February 5.

This is a first for Fortnite, allowing teams of five to queue up together in Battle Royale or Zero Build in games consisting of 20 teams per match.

The South Park ensemble won't just be joining the battle as themselves, though. As showcased in the trailer, Butters, dressed in his Professor Chaos costume, uses the Stick of Truth to turn the South Park school bus into a Fortnite Battle Bus.

Butters, Cartman, and the rest of the gang are then revealed to be donning personal mech suits that will give the little guys a fairer advantage in matches to come.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1: Pacific Break is currently underway. For all the latest updates, including the release date for the next season, be sure to check out our Fortnite Chapter 7 guide.

Black Friday and PlayStation's December sale might be firmly in the rear view mirror, but there's still some excellent deals on bundles to be had at Sony's own storefront: PlayStation Direct.

Getting to it, you can still save a chunky $100 on both disc and digital edition PS5 Cobalt Star Fortnite bundles - which is really robust value for money for a brand new console this new year.

The PS5 Slim Cobalt Star Bundle is just $449 at PS Direct, representing a massive $100 discount compared to its retail price. If you're looking to keep things disc-less, then the PS5 Slim Digital Edition Cobalt Star Bundle will be for you, and that's down to just $399.99 at PS Direct, which is once again a $100 saving.

These prices represent incredible value for money, as the $100 discount puts them way cheaper than the standalone consoles at PS Direct right now. As a result, we can't recommend these PS5 bundles more.

Sadly, there are no similar deals running in the UK right now, but the Digital Edition bundle is going for just £331.50 at Argos (was £389.99), which is great value.

Today's best PS5 bundle deals

What do these Fortnite-shaped bundles actually get you? Well, it's essentially the stock disc or digital console package - the PS5 itself, a DualSense controller, and all the cables and instruction manuals included - but a host of Fortnite digital items and goodies too. Again, these are thrown in for free, and they are both $100 less than the standalone console, too.

In terms of the specifics of those Fortnite items, you're getting an outfit, back bling, a pickaxe, a weapon wrap, a drum instrument, a boost, wheels, and a new trail, but also 1,000 V-Bucks to spend in the in-game store.

The hardware is fantastic too, and the PS5 Slim really is the best gaming console you can buy right now. We love the overall performance, the game library, the brilliant haptics of the DualSense Wireless Controller, the super-quick loading times the internal SSD offers, and the wonderful graphics and frame rates it offers.

If you're not in the US, or want a bird's eye view of the price of PS5 consoles for comparison's sake, then our price-finding tech below has you covered.

• 2025's most-played games on PS5 and Xbox are fairly predictable
• In fact, they're exactly the same as they were in 2024
• The usual suspects include Minecraft, Call of Duty, and Fortnite

You'll get no prizes for guessing what the US's most played games of 2025 were. Especially as they're the exact same five as the year before.

The data comes from Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, who took to Bluesky to share information on 2025's most-played games across both PS5 and Xbox consoles for the US.

It's definitely not the most brain-busting Wheel of Fortune board we've ever seen, with titles like Fortnite, Roblox, and Grand Theft Auto 5 comfortably occupying both PlayStation and Xbox lists. The same now as they did in 2024.

Here's the top 5 PS5 list, for reference:

1. Fortnite
2. Call of Duty
3. Grand Theft Auto 5
4. Roblox
5. Minecraft

The Xbox list features the same five games, but Minecraft and Roblox have switched places. Understandable to a degree, given that the Mojang-developed survival sandbox finds its home at Microsoft these days.

2025 was a pretty astronomical year for video games. It felt like countless landmark titles released last year, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Blue Prince, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Silent Hill f, just to name a handful of bangers. It appears that the children still yearn for the mines, though.

How can 2026 be around the corner already? It feels like just a moment ago that we were welcoming the new year with rumors of the then-upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 and reactions to the recently released OnePlus 13.

And though mobile hardware has continued to evolve as the year has pushed on, with silicon carbon batteries getting a better foothold and the best camera phones getting closer than ever to point-and-shoot quality, sometimes our usage habits are slower to adapt.

As I write this, I realize that the way I actually use my phone hasn’t changed all that much in the past 12 months. Don’t get me wrong, I still love putting all the best phones to the test and diving into the settings for our in-depth phone reviews, but in my own time, I’ve been keeping things pretty simple.

Again, there’s nothing wrong with that, but if I’m going to walk around with a $1,000 personal computer more powerful than the machines that landed a man on the moon in my pocket, I feel a responsibility to make the most of it.

So, without further ado, here are my five mobile New Year’s resolutions for 2026.

Take better photos, and more of them

My current daily driver is the Oppo Find X9 Pro, which is a bit of an underdog choice, given that it’s unavailable in the US, but also in that it offers some incredibly high-end camera tech for its £1,099 price point.

But with that said, most of the phones I’ve tested this year have offered pretty impressive camera systems, and it’s now possible to get triple-camera systems with dedicated zoom lenses in the mid-range of the phone market (the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and Nothing Phone 3a Pro being two examples).

However, I really don’t find myself reaching for my phone camera on instinct. What started as a measure to be more present has now left me with some pretty big gaps in my photo library – and it also just seems a shame not to give my Oppo’s 50MP main and 200MP telephoto cameras some more room to stretch their proverbial legs.

So, in 2026, I’m making a mission of taking more photos with whichever phone I happen to be using, and I'm going to make an effort to take some properly decent snaps. I like the idea of the Google Pixel 10’s Camera Coach AI feature for this – here’s hoping a subtler version comes to a wider range of Android phones in the new year.

Step up my accessory game

On a similar note, in 2025, I've been keeping things pretty minimal when it comes to phone accessories. I started using a phone case for the first time in years in October, but otherwise, I tend to use a phone as they come out of the box.

I do this because I think it's important to get the measure of how a phone works and feels to use on its own, with no outside assistance from mounts, grips, or other add-ons; but I'm also aware that there's a whole world of accessories out there that could open doors to new ways of using my phone.

For example, it stands to reason that I might take a few more serious mobile photos with a couple of gimbals, tripods, and lens extenders in my backpack – in fact, I loved using the Oppo Find X9 Pro's 10x teleconverter attachment earlier this year.

And when it comes to mobile gaming, I've recently been testing the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, which has woken me up to the possibilities that controllers can bring to the table (more on my gaming habits in just a second).

Get really into customization

In a 2021 episode of Waveform, the MKBHD podcast, host Marques Brownlee summed up the effect software aesthetics can have on our daily outlook: "Change your wallpaper, change your life."

While Brownlee was exaggerating for effect, there is a kernel of truth in this tech-tinged proverb – we spend a lot of time looking at our phones, so even the things we see in the background will have a lot of effect on our state of mind.

And yet, at the time of writing, I’m running a default wallpaper on my Oppo Find X9 Pro. That’s despite almost every phone – Apple and Android alike – offering deep lock and home screen customization options.

In 2026, I'm going to switch things up – get weird with the options on offer, change the color palette completely, and maybe even put something meaningful behind my walls of apps. I might even venture into skins for the keyboard and other UI elements; all within the bounds of good taste, of course.

Play more mobile games

Part of my remit as TechRadar’s Mobile Computing Staff Writer is to keep an eye on the best gaming phones and best mobile games – but, as in any high-stakes role, there’s always more to do.

In truth, my gaming activity has been pretty console-heavy for the last couple of months, mostly because of Battlefield 6 – but with mobile chipsets reaching impressive new heights every year, current flagship phones can and do offer actual console-grade experiences.

Recently, I've been playing games like Call of Duty: Mobile and the new Netflix version of Red Dead Redemption on my phone, which has got me itching to try out some other top titles.

I’m keen to finally get stuck into the selection of console ports on iOS this year – we’re talking Death Stranding, Resident Evil 4, and Sniper Elite 3 (a personal favorite), among others.

And as for Android, I’ll be making the most of the Epic Games Store’s availability by claiming a few Victory Royales on Fortnite, which I downloaded for the recent Simpsons crossover. Who said New Year’s resolutions can’t be fun?

Make more video calls

Remember the launch of FaceTime? Apple’s video calling feature, which appeared in 2010 alongside the iPhone 4, revolutionized the format so much that many people still refer to any video call by Apple’s branded moniker. And for a while, things were good.

That was until video calling took a bit of a reputational hit during and after the COVID pandemic, as users (this writer included) got sick of seeing other people through screens and screens only.

In the years since, I’ve eschewed video calls for regular audio-only chats or text messaging, but in 2026 I’m willing – keen even – to give video calls another chance.

Video calling is one of the predictions of 20th-century sci-fi that actually came true – the futurist in me feels like I owe it to myself to embrace it, and it should make connecting with my friends and family even easier.

Do you have any tech resolutions for 2026? Let me know in the comments below. And if you're looking to give someone the perfect new phone this Christmas, check out my seven top smartphone picks for every type of person.

Live service games have been a mixed bag over the years, introducing some of the most cutthroat and consumer-unfriendly practices we’ve ever seen in the industry. They gouge players with loot boxes, lead to entire studio closures on the regular, and their pay-to-win, wallet-targeted mechanics have seeped into every facet of game development, even single-player experiences.

Every year, though, live service games completely and wholly make up for every single one of these evils, with bespoke Holiday experiences that warm the hearts of gamers worldwide, and give back to their respective communities with sackfuls of free stuff.

I am, unfortunately, a complete sucker for Holiday events in games, especially live service ones. Those maps I’ve spent all year hating? Well, now they’re blanketed in snow, and look, you can even have snowball fights with other players. Lovely.

In truth, Holiday events are better than they’ve ever been in games like Fortnite, Arc Raiders, and Marvel Rivals. Limited-time modes are genuinely exciting and well-executed, and even the obligatory snow variants of maps look better than ever thanks to ballooning graphical fidelity and other tech-based bells and whistles. As such, here are the six best live service games to check out this Holiday season.

Fortnite Winterfest offers a cozy place to chill

Each year, Fortnite gets the Winterfest event, and so far, it’s been a very cozy and genuinely fun affair. A cozy cabin can be accessed via the main menu, and there are new presents to unwrap every day.

These award players with free items like new Christmas-themed songs, jolly characters like Grimbles (a sort of yeti, but you know, Christmassy), and other cosmetics. The cabin itself is a wonderful thing, with a roaring fireplace and a very relaxing ambience.

You can leave the cabin running as you go about your Holiday celebrations — maybe your Grandma would like to hear the latest Fortnite Xmas rap, featuring Lil’ Whip? I’ll certainly be logging in every day to get my free loot. I’ve more than earned it this year, after spending an amount of money on The Simpsons skins that I’d really rather not reveal.

Arc Raiders Cold Snap brings a white Christmas

What’s better than going on a deadly raid above ground with the hopes of finding enough berries to decorate a wreath back at base camp? Well, now there’s snow and frost that will literally kill you just for stepping outside.

The Cold Snap update adds the Snowfall map condition to Arc Raiders, increasing the rarity of loot while making the environment extremely dangerous. There are limited-time events to work through, as you contribute to Holiday celebrations back in Speranza, and you can bask in the beauty of the Candleberry Bouquet. This is all available right now, running well into the New Year.

Personally, I can’t wait to see how snow changes the vibe of Buried City, an already terrifying and daunting location filled with would-be betrayers. Hopefully, I can finally find more Blueprints to go with my 15 Bettina Blueprints I’ve opened so far.

Marvel Rivals rings in the New Year

One of the best updates to Marvel Rivals this year has been the Times Square map. It’s a social hub where players can hang out, emote together, and show off their hard-earned costumes. It’s being used for a New Year's event to round out 2025, and players can even watch the ball drop together. I love this idea, giving people a space to celebrate together and be part of a live countdown.

Elsewhere, there’s a bunch of Holiday skins and events coming to Marvel Rivals soon. Jeff’s Winter Splash Festival is back, a great 4v4 arcade mode where everyone plays as Jeff the Land Shark. There’s a new Jeffland map for the mode, which sounds absolutely delightful.

I’m a huge fan of Jeff myself, and will be logging in to see if there’s any free Holiday-themed costumes for the little guy. A limited-time event called the Pym Technologies Test Kitchen and Winter Gift event will launch soon as well. It’ll likely give out freebies for players who log in daily.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has daily rewards

Is this one a live service game? Probably if we bend the meaning of the term a little, I don’t know, but it is releasing regular content in the lead up to the Holidays. Assassin’s Creed Shadows players can visit a chest at their Hideout every day in December, offering exclusive free rewards. A recent update added Corrupted Castles, which are remixed and replayable versions of the game’s big enemy hideouts. For the Holidays, they’ll reward double XP and Gold upon completion.

Better yet, Ubisoft has added new combo finishers, a new Animus Project featuring some great Winter-themed rewards, and even a new Animus Rift. The Project is what I'll be spending time on over the break, as the Mutiny Staff weapon, and the Insurgent Robe and Hood look like awesome new updates for Naoe’s kit.

The game is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, and having now synced my main save, I can’t wait to relax on the sofa and grind away at some Corrupted Castles with my new Holiday gear.

Monster Hunter Wilds gets a sparkling Grand Hub makeover

I’ve admittedly fallen off of Monster Hunter Wilds recently, but I do jump back on with each new major update to check out the seasonal events. The Festival of Accord: Lumenhymn event is a Holiday-themed celebration, completely transforming The Grand Hub and adding a bunch of new cosmetics.

The set I’ve got my eye on is a Palico Armor that turns your feline friend into a Snowman. Enjoy a seasonal meal with pals, earn new armor, gestures, and pop-up camp decorations, a lot is going on in Monster Hunter Wilds over the Holidays. Log in daily for free rewards too, or take on a new event called “The Snow Has Teeth” to get a very special Lumenhymn armor set. Well worth a look if you’re a lapsed player like me.

Hunt down a yeti in GTA Online

The Holiday season is in full effect in GTA Online. It's likely the last one before GTA 6 comes out, though who knows whether that'll be delayed again. This year, there's Christmas decorations for your mansion, and daily login gifts that'll be free to claim for all players.

A bunch of Holiday modes are back too, including Yeti Hunt, Snowball Fights, and the return of The Gooch. (that's GTA's version of The Grinch).

All in all, GTA Online is a fine place to spend the Holidays, as snow will start to fall over Christmas as well. It's a very fun time indeed, and one that really goes all in on silly, snow-themed weaponry. Just remember to dress for the weather.

Fortnite Winterfest 2025 skins are here, adding Hogwarts-themed Outfits to the Item Shop, and free Holiday skins to the Fortnite Winterfest Cabin. There a paid-for items, as well as free rewards to claim, and new skins will be added over time.

As Winterfest 2025 arrives in Fortnite, there are new snowy areas on the map. Players can log into the Winterfest Cabin each day, too, to open presents and claim rewards. This Holiday update gives us plenty to round out the year, before the next season of Fortnite arrives in 2026.

Here's the Fortnite Winterfest 2025 skins released so far, as well as a breakdown of how to get each one. Some are paid-for items, so I'll list the cost in V-Bucks for each.

Fortnite Winterfest 2025 skins

The Fortnite Winterfest 2025 skins can be found in the list below:

• Celebration of Hogwarts: Bundle (3200), Dynamic Dreamer (1500), Hallway Hero (1500), Radiant Rebel (1500), Creature Caretaker (1500), Story Seeker (1500), Mischief Maker (1500), Prank Prodigy (1500), Fearless Friend (1500), Audacious Adventurer (1500), Knowledge Keeper (1500)
• The Winterfest Bandit (800)
• Blinky (1200)
• Glimmer (2000)
• Snowdancer (1200)
• Froststorm Bomber (800)
• Glacial Dummy (free Cabin reward)
• Cheeks (free Cabin reward)

Fortnite Winterfest Harry Potter skins

Fortnite Harry Potter Winterfest skins are here. There are ten different base skins to choose from, and from there they can be customized with each house: Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff. There's also a Celebration of Hogwarts Bundle, which gives you all ten skins, as well as the Snowy Owl Back Bling, the Firebolt Pickaxe, and the Peppermint Imps Emote.

Fortnite Winterfest free skins

There are two free skins to claim as part of Fortnite Winterfest 2025. This includes the Glacial Dummy, which is unlocked after you've opened seven presents in the cabin, and then the Cheeks Outfit, which is rewarded after you've opened 13 presents. You can see both of these skins in the image above.

Will there be more Fortnite Winterfest skins?

New Fortnite Winterfest skins will arrive over time, and we already know that Hatsune Miku, and a Christmas Sabrina Carpenter skin will be released soon. Unfortunately, release dates for upcoming skins haven't yet been announced. I'd expect new skins to line up with the weekly updates, so December 19 and then December 26.

Fortnite Winterfest is well underway, and there's still time to claim free rewards via the cabin. It'll all be over soon, however, so here's when the Winterfest event ends.

Players are currently working their way through Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1, which shook up the map and many of the game's core systems. While we all wait for the next Season of Fortnite, there are the Winterfest celebrations to tide us over for the next few days. With huge updates like these, it's no wonder that Fortnite continues to rank highly in our best crossplay games list.

Here's the Fortnite Winterfest end date, and everything announced so far for the remainder of the event. As new info is revealed, I'll update this page.

Fortnite Winterfest end date

Fortnite Winterfest ends January 5, 2026 at the times below:

• East Coast (United States): 9AM ET
• West Coast (United States): 6AM PT
• United Kingdom: 2PM GMT

Fortnite Winterfest 2025 start time

Fortnite Winterfest 2025 launched on December 18, 2025 at the times below:

• East Coast (United States): 9AM ET
• West Coast (United States): 6AM PT
• United Kingdom: 2PM GMT

Fortnite Winterfest cabin release time

The Fortnite Winterfest Cabin launched on December 18 at 9AM ET / 6AM PT / 2PM GMT.

Fortnite Winterfest rewards

There are 14 rewards to claim as part of Fortnite Winterfest this year. These include four harvesting tools, two Back Blings, one Glider, a weapon wrap, four stickers, a trail, and a Jam Track. You can see these in the image above.

What is Fortnite Winterfest?

Fortnite Winterfest is an annual event themed around the Holiday season. For the past few years, there's been an interactive Advent calendar, where players could open presents each day, containing festive-themed cosmetics. These have ranged from loading screens to harvesting tools and skins.

In the Tweet embedded below, you'll see a Holiday postcard, with some characters gathered outside a cabin. You can see Harry Potter characters, Sabrina Carpenter, Hatsune Miku, and then original characters like Jonesy and Fishstick.

• Kim Kardashian is the latest Fortnite Icon
• The entrepreneur/reality TV star will arrive in the Item Shop on December 13
• Players can compete in an Icon Cup on December 12 to unlock the skin early

Fortnite Kim Kardashian skins are on the way, as the reality TV megastar and entrepreneur has been revealed as the latest Fortnite Icon. There are two Outfits to unlock, each with a bunch of variants.

You'll be able to purchase the Kim Kardashian Outfit and the Iconic Kim Kardashian Outfit in the Item Shop on December 13 at 4PM PT / 7PM ET and 12AM GMT (December 14). There are additional accessories as well, like a private jet Glider, a Back Bling filled with cosmetics, and a ring light.

If you want to unlock the Iconic Kim Kardashian Outfit early, you can take part in the latest Fortnite competitive Icon Cup. Players can unlock the new skin as a reward for participating.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 is now underway. It's a Hollywood-themed affair, with nods to San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Seattle as well. Kill Bill has been the main tie-in so far, but there are also Back to the Future skins to be earned via the new Battle Pass. It'll be a while until the next season of Fortnite, but luckily, there's plenty to tide fans over in the meantime.

• Fortnite OG will return on December 11 with Chapter 1 Season 7
• The retro battle royale mode will bring back the overpowered Infinity Blade
• The update will also include new map changes and a new loot pool

Epic Games has confirmed that the overpowered Infinity Blade will return in Fortnite OG this week.

Players will once again be able to jump into Fortnite OG, a nostalgic mode based on the game's original battle royale, when it makes its return in Chapter 1 Season 7 on December 11.

In a new social media post, Epic teased the upcoming update with a look at what to expect, including map updates that feature Polar Peak, Happy Hamlet, and Frosty Flights, a new Christmas-themed OG Battle Pass, new gliders, and loot pool items.

What's got players most excited, however, is the confirmation that the Infinity Blade will arrive "later in the season," after seven years. It's a Mythic weapon that spawns once each match and gives the wielder special bonuses to their movement and health.

It's a controversial weapon, mainly due to its stats (via Fortnite Wiki) that offer 200 Health and 200 Shields for a total of 400 HP, as well as its ability to grant 1 Effective HP per second and 50 Effective HP after eliminating an opponent.

It also boosts the player's movement speed significantly and has a wide attack radius that deals 75 damage per hit. Overall, it's a pretty overpowered weapon that is sure to help you secure a Victory Royale.

Epic hasn't revealed whether it has nerfed the Infinity Blade for the upcoming season, but if not, players will once again be able to wreak havoc.

In the meantime, Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1: Pacific Break is officially underway. You can check out our Fortnite Chapter 7 guide for upcoming updates and what to expect from the current Chapter 7 season, including map changes, new skins, and more.

• Fortnite recently had a "Vote in Fortnite" event for The Game Awards
• Tomb Raider was featured, teasing a reveal at The Game Awards on Thursday, December 11
• The teaser image shows a silhouette of Lara Croft amid some sort of ancient technology

A Tomb Raider announcement has been confirmed for The Game Awards 2025, airing on Thursday, December 11. While it's still a mystery as to what exactly is going to be revealed, we do know that there will be info on "the future of one of gaming's most iconic franchises".

The Game Awards 2025 recently ran an event in Fortnite, allowing players to visit 10 creator-made islands before casting a vote on which they liked the best. As part of this, a teaser for Tomb Raider was also shown, which you can view below:

The image shared shows a silhouette of Lara Croft wielding her iconic dual pistols, surrounded by a bunch of mysterious ancient technology. To me, this looks like more of her classic look, but could even just be her Fortnite design. As such, it's hard to say whether the teaser gives any hints at a new direction for the long-running franchise.

Developer Crystal Dynamics announced that it had started work on a new Tomb Raider game back in 2022, though we've not had any updates since. In addition, the studio has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs, the latest being just a few weeks ago.

With very little to go on, I'm just hoping that the new Tomb Raider reveal is for a completely new set of games. I loved the Crystal Dynamics trilogy that concluded with Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but I think it's time for a new direction.

Something a bit more arcade-y and classic, with heaps of color and genuine Indiana Jones-style adventures. Please, enough of the gritty reboots.

• Backbone Pro owners are able to claim a free Fortnite skin from today
• Obtaining it involves redeeming a code and earning 100,000 XP
• New Backone Pro buyers will also be able to get it while the offer lasts

Mobile accessory maker Backbone has announced that Backbone Pro owners will be able to claim a free Fortnite skin from today.

In order to get your hands on the Clyde Outfit skin, you'll need to connect your Backbone Pro to your phone and open the Backbone app.

From the Home screen, scroll until you reach the Perks menu and tap the icon to reveal your code. Copy it and head over to the redeem page of the Epic Games website. Enter it, and you're good to go!

When you next log in to Fortnite on PC, mobile, or cloud streaming you'll be able to access a new Clyde Quest. Once you earn 100,000 XP across those platforms you'll unlock the outfit to use in-game.

This isn't an exclusive skin and it's previously been available in the item shop, but still quite a solid bonus.

New Backbone Pro buyers will also be able to claim the skin as long as the promotion is still running.

• Fortnite Zero Hour is scheduled to kick off this weekend on November 29
• The live event will close out Chapter 6 and will be followed by the premiere of Quentin Tarantino's unfilmed Kill Bill short
• The Lost Chapter: Yuki’s Revenge premieres in Fortnite on November 30

Epic Games has shared new details ahead of Fortnite's exciting weekend of events, which kick off with the Chapter 6 grand finale, followed by the premiere of Quentin Tarantino's unfilmed Kill Bill short.

Fortnite Zero Hour, the game's biggest event of the year, will officially close out Chapter 6. This live spectacle begins on Saturday, November 29, at 2PM ET / 11AM PT / 7PM GMT, and players can prepare by loading into the game up to 30 minutes beforehand.

In this event, legends assemble to save reality from the Dark Presence, and fans can look forward to many pop culture figures to appear, including Godzilla and King Kong, a giant Homer Simpson, Star Wars, Kill Bill's Beatrix Kiddo, and many more that will be revealed at the time.

The following day, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s The Lost Chapter: Yuki’s Revenge premieres exclusively in Fortnite on Sunday, November 30 at 2PM ET / 2PM ET / 11AM PT / 7PM GMT. Like Zero Hour, doors open 30 minutes before the show starts.

Yuki's Revenge is a cut chapter that never made it into Tarantino's Kill Bill, and now, 20 years later, the story has been reimagined in Fortnite.

Starring Uma Thurman as The Bride once again, and built with Unreal Engine and Fortnite character models, the animated tale follows Yuki Yubari, who travels to the US to take down The Bride for killing her sister Gogo Yubari in the movie.

"Quentin Tarantino had a dream of a Kill Bill chapter that never made it to the silver screen, a chapter known as 'Yuki’s Revenge.' Over 20 years later, Tarantino and Epic have come together to bring the story to life in Fortnite," Epic Games teased.

The teaser trailer for 'Yuki's Revenge', which looks chaotic, to say the least, also confirms that players can claim the Yuki Outfit by logging into Fortnite from November 27 to December 9.

For more, check out our guide for Fortnite's next season release date and what to expect from Chapter 7, including map changes, new skins, and upcoming updates.

A Fortnite Chapter finale live event called Zero Hour has been revealed. It'll lead into Chapter 7, and the teaser trailer shows a huge gathering of some of the most iconic tie-ins Fortnite has ever seen.

We're nearing the end of Fortnite Chapter 6, with The Simpsons set to round out the final season. So far, Epic Games has revealed a fair bit about Chapter 7, and the Zero Hour event that'll lead into it. There's a trailer, and some excellent teases on what players can expect from the finale's epic showdown. It's regular live switchovers like these that have kept Fortnite ranked highly on our list of the best crossplay games to play in 2025.

Here's the Fortnite Zero Hour live event start date and time, as well as info on when to join early to make sure you get in this weekend. As new details on the finale are shared, I'll be sure to update this page.

Fortnite Zero Hour live event start date and time

The Fortnite Zero Hour live event starts on November 29 at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 2PM ET
• West Coast (US): 11AM PT
• United Kingdom: 7PM GMT
• Central Europe: 8PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 6AM AEDT (November 30)
• Japan (Tokyo): 4AM JST (November 30)

We'll likely hear more about matchmaking later this week, but Epic Games has already revealed that doors open at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 1:20PM ET
• West Coast (US): 10:20AM PT
• United Kingdom: 6:20PM GMT
• Central Europe: 7:20PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 5:20AM AEDT (November 30)
• Japan (Tokyo): 3:20AM JST (November 30)

What do we know about the Fortnite Zero Hour live event?

Epic Games is yet to reveal the full details on the upcoming Fortnite Zero Hour live event.

We do have a trailer, which can be viewed above, and it shows all of the biggest Chapter 6 collaborations teaming up against a gigantic foe. There's a giant Homer Simpson, alongside Godzilla and King Kong. The kraken enemy appears to be back, having featured in the last two live events.

The trailer description reads: "Legends assemble in the final endgame to save reality. The fight begins in Fortnite Zero Hour".

One of the new characters that appears in Zero Hour is The Bride from Kill Bill. This has been confirmed as one of the first collaborations for Chapter 7, so we'll have to see how the sword-wielding warrior plays into the events of the Chapter finale event.

What is Fortnite Chapter finale Zero Hour?

Fortnite Chapter finale Zero Hour is the name of an upcoming live event.

Live events tend to happen at the end of season's, and in the case of Zero Hour, the event will usher in a whole new Chapter. Chapter 7 will begin following downtime once Zero Hour concludes. You'll want to log into Fortnite at the times specified above, and get into the bespoke matchmaking playlist. These tend to be very busy, with long wait times, so the earlier the better.

Once Zero Hour kicks off, you and your squad will fight alongside others in a scripted gameplay and cinematic sequence. We'll likely get to see some of Chapter 7, before the servers turn off for downtime. Generally, there's only one chance to catch the live event, so be sure to make time on the day, or follow along live as I cover it as part of an upcoming liveblog.

Fortnite Zero Hour FAQ

• Epic Games has released a teaser trailer for Fortnite Chapter 6's finale event
• Fortnite Zero Hour will go live on November 29 at 2pm ET / 11am PT / 8pm GMT
• Epic Games has also announced its Quentin Tarantino collaboration for Chapter 7, which will feature an unfilmed chapter from Kill Bill, titled The Lost Chapter: Yuki's Revenge

Fortnite Chapter 6 is coming to a close, and Epic Games has teased the finale event that will see new characters coming together, as well as a glimpse at Chapter 7's Kill Bill collaboration.

Epic has revealed that the one-time live Fortnite Zero Hour event will go live on November 29 at 2pm ET / 11am PT / 8pm GMT and it's sure to be a spectacle.

From the trailer, it's confirmed that some of cinema's most iconic characters will be featured, including Godzilla and King Kong in an explosive battle, Kill Bill's Beatrix Kiddo, as well as Star Wars X-Wings and a gigantic Homer Simpson?

"Legends assemble in the final endgame to save reality," the description reads.

The official website also teases, "Heroes, villains, and worlds collide in the final endgame to save all reality."

Speaking of Kill Bill, during the Fortnite Chapter 7 event (via FandomWire), it was announced that Quentin Tarantino's collaboration with the ongoing game will feature an unfilmed chapter from Kill Bill: Vol 1, titled "The Lost Chapter: Yuki's Revenge".

Tarantino wrote the unfilmed scene in 2003, which featured a revenge story focused on Yuki Yubari, who goes after Uma Thurman's Beatrix Kiddo for killing her sister Gogo Yubari in the movie.

Yuki's short never made it to the big screen due to Tarantino choosing not to shoot it for pacing reasons, but it will be featured in the upcoming collaboration in Chapter 7's battle pass, which will also include Gogo as an obtainable skin, according to leaks.

A new poster teasing the event has also been revealed, which showcases the first official look at Yuki in a pink car, wearing a school uniform and pigtails, and wielding a submachine gun.

Yuki's Revenge will seemingly be the main event of Chapter 7, which launches on November 30.

Gaming controller deals are already starting to drop as we approach Black Friday, and this one's a little bit special. The PDP Riffmaster has had its price slashed to just £79.99 (was £129.99) at Turtle Beach.

This early Black Friday deal is a great reason to dust off your fretting fingers and relive the glory days of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. These days, Fortnite Festival is the main game you'll be able to use the controller for, as well as Rock Band 4, of course. There are different versions for PlayStation and Xbox platforms, both on the same discount.

While the UK has the best deals on the PDP Riffmaster, the guitar controller is still discounted at Walmart for just $109 (was $149.99), a significant saving, and the lowest price since early August.

(Not in the UK or US? See today's best deals in your region below)

Today's best Riffmaster Black Friday deals in the UK

Today's best Riffmaster Black Friday deals in the US

The PDP Riffmaster is primarily compatible with Fortnite Festival Mode, where you can play tracks from acts like Gorillaz, The Killers, Sabrina Carpenter, Beastie Boys, and more. It's being regularly updated too, so really it's the main music game of its kind these days. Rock Band 4 works seamlessly with the controller as well.

If you pick up the Xbox + PC version, however, there's a bit more compatibility with what you can use the Riffmaster for, though you'll want to check whether a game supports it as a controller before buying.

Shop more of today's best Black Friday deals

• Amazon: up to 66% off tech & essentials
• AO: up to £500 off Dyson, Bosch & Hisense
• Argos: up to 50% off appliances, tech & toys
• Boots: save on 1,000s of beauty products
• Currys: deals on Ninja, Shark & Lenovo
• Dell: laptops from £279
• Dyson: up to £550 off vacuums
• EE: Switch 2 bundles from £20/month
• John Lewis: up to 50% off tech & fashion
• Lego: sets & accessories from £2.99
• Samsung: deals on appliances & phones
• Very: up to 40% off tech, toys & fashion

Check below to see the best Riffmaster deals available outside of the UK and US.

• Sony has announced its PlayStation Black Friday sale
• All PS5 consoles, including the PS5 Pro, will see a $100 price cut
• The PSVR2, DualSense controllers, and other accessories will also get a discounts

Sony's annual Black Friday sale has been announced, and this year, PS5 consoles, software, and more PlayStation hardware will see a significant price cut for a limited time.

The PlayStation Black Friday event begins on November 21, and all PS5 consoles will receive a $100 discount.

This deal includes the PS5 Digital Edition 825GB - Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle, which is priced at $399.99, and the PS5 1TB - Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle for $449.99, both of which come with additional, PlayStation-exclusive in-game content and 1,000 V-Bucks.

The deal for the Flowering Chaos Bundle is a PlayStation exclusive until November 26.

In select regions, you can also save $100 on the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and the PS5 Pro from the PlayStation Direct store.

Similarly, the PlayStation VR2 will also get a hefty $100 price cut, while the PlayStation Portal remote player will receive a $20 discount.

Other PlayStation accessories, like the Pulse Elite wireless headset, Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers, and Access controller, will all receive between a $20 and $30 reduction. You can check out the details below.

• $100 off the PS5 Digital Edition 825GB – Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle, will be available at a recommended retail price of $399.99
• $100 off the PS5 Console 1TB – Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle, will be available at a recommended retail price of $449.99. The bundle offerings feature PlayStation-exclusive in-game content and 1,000 V-Bucks.
• Save $100 on PS5 consoles and $100 USD on PS5 Digital Edition consoles in select regions
• Save $100 on PS5 Pro consoles
• $100 off PlayStation VR2
• $20 off PlayStation Portal remote player
• $20 off Pulse Elite wireless headset
• $30 off Pulse Explore wireless earbuds 
• $30 off DualSense Edge wireless controller
• $20 off DualSense wireless controller
• $20 off Access controller

During the promotion, players who join PlayStation Plus can save up to 33% on a 12-month membership, while current members can save 33% on the remainder of their membership when upgrading from Essential/Extra to Premium/Deluxe.

Elsewhere, all PS5 and PS4 players can enjoy movie discounts during this time, and PlayStation Plus members can claim additional discounts on recent releases.

Savings of up to 75% on PlayStation Store will also go live for PS4 and PS5 digital games on November 21, and the PlayStation Gear store will also see a sitewide 60% cut.

A new Fortnite themed PlayStation 5 bundle is coming next week, right around the time most retailers' Black Friday sales are set to kick off in full. And funnily enough, this bundle might just be a phenomenal Black Friday deal in disguise.

The PS5 Console Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle was revealed via the official PlayStation account on X / Twitter. The bundle packs in a PS5 Slim console with the disc drive included, alongside a collection of timed exclusive Fortnite cosmetics. Oh, and 1,000 V-Bucks to add to your account.

The included Fortnite cosmetics will be exclusive to PlayStation for about a year, with the exclusivity ending on November 26, 2026. As for the bundle itself, its release timing is a bit confusing. The post states it'll launch on November 21, though the accompanying video says otherwise, on November 22. Meanwhile, the YouTube video description states November 20 as the release date.

There could just be some regional timing shenanigans happening here, but expect it around this timeframe. Additionally, Sony has not revealed the price of this PS5 bundle. However, a prior leak (thanks, Notebookcheck) suggests it'll retail for $449.99. If so, that would be significantly cheaper than the current going rate of the PS5 Slim with disc drive, which is $549.99 - a $100 saving in the US.

We're not yet sure if this Fortnite PS5 bundle will reach shores beyond the US for Black Friday. But if it does, you can hopefully expect similarly large savings.

As for the included Fortnite items, they are as follows:

• 1,000 V-Bucks
• Florin Outfit (with Lego Style)
• Blossom Backpack Back Bling
• Floral Finisher Pickaxe
• Blue Blossoms Wrap
• Petal's Edge Guitar
• Blue Bloom Mic
• Petal Steppers Kicks

• Fortnite finally runs on Windows on Arm laptops as the game's anti-cheat tool (EAC) is now compatible with the architecture
• The game runs well on these Snapdragon X chips, too, going by reports
• This move was facilitated by a new Epic Online Services SDK, and other EAC games should work on Arm soon

It's finally happened – you can now play Fortnite on a Windows 11 laptop with an Arm processor.

Windows Latest reports that Epic has made good on its promise to get Fortnite's anti-cheat tool working with Windows on Arm machines, those super-slim Copilot+ laptops with Snapdragon X chips which use a different architecture compared to traditional Windows 11 laptops.

What's the problem with that? Well, the Arm architecture being different to x86 processors (from AMD and Intel) means that emulation (specifically a translation layer called Prism) is required to run apps and games on Snapdragon X laptops, if they aren't natively coded for Arm (and many aren't, of course).

That translation layer exacts a performance overhead, as you might guess, but more problematically certain tech just doesn't work on Arm systems at all, notably anti-cheat tools in the gaming world. Hence online games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, Valorant, Apex Legends and so on won't work on a Snapdragon X device, as they all use some kind of anti-cheat utility.

As of version 38.00 of Fortnite, the shooter now works on Arm PCs as the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system is now natively supported, although the change wasn't documented in the release notes, oddly.

The game has been verified as running fine on Snapdragon X laptops, though, by Windows Latest and also other reports on Reddit. All of which agree that Fortnite runs nice and smoothly, even on the lower-end Snapdragon chips.

Analysis: other online games will hopefully follow soon

It's good to see Fortnite finally up and running on Arm devices, and performing well considering that the game is emulated. (There's native support for EAC now, but not for the game itself, which works via Prism – and the translation layer does a good job here by all accounts).

EAC compatibility was provided in the Epic Online Services SDK released back in August, but it's still up to game developers to implement that support in their respective titles – it took Epic a few months to get this in Fortnite itself, of course. Other EAC games include Apex Legends and Elden Ring, so hopefully we might see those running on Snapdragon X laptops before too long.

Outside of EAC, Arm CPU support will be a thornier issue, and cheating prevention systems such as Riot Vanguard (Valorant) and BattlEye (which is part of PUBG's armory of anti-cheat tech, as well as Rainbow Six Siege and many other shooters) will need their own solutions – which may or may not be forthcoming. Given that Arm isn't exactly a pressing issue for many developers, we could be waiting a long while – maybe forever if you're being pessimistic (and the same is true of getting Linux support for these anti-cheat tools, too, for SteamOS and handheld owners).

It's worth noting that Microsoft also applied improvements to Prism recently to ensure more games run on Snapdragon X chips – resolving a problem tied in with AVX and AVX2 extensions – so gaming with Windows on Arm has come on a long way in the past month.

That's good news because these Copilot+ laptops are highly portable devices with impressive battery chops, so to be able to engage in some meaningful gaming while on the go is a definite boon.

• Fortnite gets a fresh Item Shop update starting today
• Krusty the Clown arrives as part of a bundle
• More Sidekicks are set to be added, including a Velociraptor, a pug in a hoodie, and a tiny Cuddle Team Leader

Fortnite's latest Item Shop update arrives later today (November 6), adding more The Simpsons skins and Sidekicks. This follows the launch of The Simpsons Fortnite, a month-long season that has completely switched things up with a new map called Springfield Island.

So far, we've seen a Bart Simpson bundle hit the Item Shop, but today we'll get the next tie-in skin in the form of Krusty the Clown. In the Tweet embedded below, we get a look at the skin, which appears to feature a clown car emote.

There's more set to be added to the Fortnite Item Shop this week as well, including more Sidekicks. Lil'Raptor, Doggo Jr., Cuddle Team Jr., and Flopsticks will be available on November 7.

Sidekicks were added alongside the new Fortnite season and are essentially pets that follow you around in-game. They can be customized once, and multiple versions of the same Sidekick require separate purchases.

Fortnite The Simpsons is set to end on November 29, the same day there's going to be a live event ushering in whatever comes next.

For more, check out our guide for Fortnite's next season release date and what to expect from Chapter 7, including map changes, new skins, and upcoming updates.

• Disney Parks is arriving in Fortnite for the first time as a 'creative island'
• Disneyland Game Rush arrives on November 6, 2025, and looks a lot like the park
• Rather than ride rides, you'll play mini games inside the famous attractions

While it’s not the persistent, always-connected universe long promised by Disney Experiences and Epic Games, we’re finally getting a taste of Disney Parks in Fortnite. And if you’re a fan of in-real-life immersive experiences and rides, Darth Vader in Fortnite, or the popular Battle Royale, you’re in for a treat.

Disneyland Game Rush, Fortnite’s first-ever Disney Parks experience, arrives tomorrow, November 6, 2025, as a Fortnite Creative island that looks a heck of a lot like the Disneyland Resort – completely decked out with 70th-anniversary colors and logos. You’ll land in the center of the island, surrounded by iconic Disneyland Resort landmarks – Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Pixar Pal-A-Round, the Incredicoaster, and even the bridges you pass under when entering the park – and then discover several minigames inspired by the park's attractions, blending them with classic Fortnite mechanics.

This is arguably the most exciting part: Space Mountain, Rise of the Resistance, and Haunted Mansion are just a few of the attractions being used as backdrops for these minigame-style experiences.

For instance, in Star Wars: Stormtrooper Showdown, you’ll walk through a digital world resembling the iconic ride – complete with two AT-ATs – and battle Stormtroopers of the First Order as you navigate around a Star Destroyer. Fortnite fans missing the Star Wars chapters will be happy to know that some lightsabers are hidden around here as well.

In Haunted Mansion: Scavenger Haunt, you’ll search for items inspired by the ride as you explore a virtual Haunted Mansion. It even starts with the stretching room – albeit with some Fortnite flair – that Disney Parks teased on X (formerly Twitter).

So, no, it’s not a full-out Battle Royale set in Disneyland or Disney California Adventure, but it uses the rides as backdrops for seven minigames that should delight fans of the parks and franchises alike. It’s also pretty family-friendly and broadly appealing.

The other games include WEB-Slingers: Spider-Bot Blasters, Space Mountain: Rocket Race, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Sneak Out!, Indiana Jones: Tomb Runner, and Matterhorn: Slip-and-Climb. As you complete the minigames, you’ll earn keys that can be used to unlock exclusive items – think skins or back blings – that you can use elsewhere in Fortnite.

It’s essentially Fortnite Games with a Disney twist, taking elements of Disney Imagineering and bringing them into Fortnite’s digital world. Disneyland Game Rush is the first taste of Disney Experiences’ connected world and seems to have been crafted with the same care as Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebration, currently taking place at the park in California.

Perhaps the best part is that Disneyland Game Rush launches as a free Fortnite Creative island tomorrow, November 6. You’ll be able to search for it by name or via the island code 4617-4819-8826 on any platform where you can play Fortnite, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Disneyland Game Rush is being billed as a limited-time experience, though no exact timeframe has been given. You can scroll down to see a gallery of the shared in-game screenshots, offering a look at the launcher hub that showcases digital recreations of the main attractions – and a taste of Disneyland within Fortnite. It’ll also help build anticipation for the persistent Disney–Epic Games universe, which is in development and will connect elements from parks, shows, and movies into a unified digital world.

I suspect we’ll start to hear more about that in the coming months – especially since Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (located at Galaxy’s Edge West in Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Galaxy’s Edge East at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida) is set to be updated in May 2026 alongside The Mandalorian & Grogu film. It’s rumored to be part of this connected experience.

Suffice it to say, there’s a lot more on the horizon with this partnership – but along with the excellently filmed ride-throughs on Disney+ and the real-world park experiences, Disneyland Game Rush will be an excellent, fitting way to experience the magic from home.

• Fortnite Chapter 7 is set to launch at the end of November
• Creators have received a cryptic tease from Epic Games featuring a set of co-ordinates
• These point to Hollywood in North America, and fans think there might be a Kill Bill tie-in

Fortnite Chapter 7 has started to be teased, with a handful of creators having received a cryptic teaser containing a set of co-ordinates, as well as the letters "Q&U".

As revealed by @NickEh30 on X, the top Fortnite creator received an official Chapter 7 teaser, which you can view via this unlisted YouTube link. The short transmission mentions Zero Hour, Chapter 7, and Fortnite After Dark With Q&U.

The co-ordinates in the teaser (34.134117 N, 118.321495 W) correspond to Los Angeles and more specifically, Hollywood. I've verified these co-ordinates using a latitude and longitude map, and it does indeed look like Fortnite's next Chapter will be based on the United States, specifically the West Coast. Now onto that "Q&U" mention.

As spotted by Fortnite leaker @ShiinaBR on X, Q&U is what Quentin Tarantino and Uma Thurman credited themselves for Kill Bill. Given that a re-release of Kill Bill Vol 1 and Vol 2, combined as Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, is set to arrive in theaters on December 5, it would all tie in very nicely with the launch of Fortnite Chapter 7, and the teased Hollywood setting. We'll have to wait and see whether these rumors line up with the eventual reveal of Chapter 7.

Fortnite The Simpsons is set to end on November 29, the same day there's going to be a live event ushering in whatever comes next.

For more, check out our guide for Fortnite's next season release date and what to expect from Chapter 7, including map changes, new skins, and upcoming updates.

• Fortnite x The Simpsons has launched
• You can earn in-game items like the Kang and Kodos Glider by linking various accounts
• The Simpsons Discord Avatar and the 'Fuel Rod and Tongs' Pickaxe are up for grabs

Fortnite The Simpsons launched last weekend (November 1), adding Springfield Island, a new Battle Pass, and a totally Simpsons-themed season. By linking your MyDisney and Epic Games accounts, you can unlock the Kang and Kodos Glider in-game. This is available until February 28, 2026.

Elsewhere, there's the 'Fuel Rod and Tongs Pickaxe', which you'll get for logging into Fortnite Battle Royale, Zero Build or Delulu before November 10, 2025 at 9AM ET / 6AM PT / 1PM GMT.

Finally, you can get the Peely Vanish Discord Avatar Decoration on Discord via the Quests tab. Play Fortnite for 15 minutes with your Discord client open to unlock the decoration for 2 months.

Fortnite is now running a The Simpsons mini-season, allowing players to drop into a Springfield-themed map. I've already played a bunch of matches, and found so many Easter Eggs including prank calls, a couch that your whole squad can sit on, and even an event that makes the Power Plant go into meltdown. This is easily my favorite Fortnite update in a long time, making the game climb the ranks in our best free games to play in 2025 list.

To link your MyDisney and Epic Games accounts, you'll need to visit the Epic Games website. For everything officially confirmed for the future of Fortnite, visit our next season of Fortnite guide.

The Fortnite The Simpsons live event is now over, and the game is in downtime. The new major update will launch later on, adding a Springfield map, and a fresh Battle Pass.

There are plenty of new features currently in Fortnite, including the news of Sidekicks finally coming to the game in the next Battle Pass. We're currently at the tail end of Fortnitemares 2025, which will lead into a The Simpsons mini-season. Expect a new map, plenty of Simpsons skins and weapons, as well as a new Battle Pass. It's constant updates like these that make Fortnite one of our recommendations for the best free games to play in 2025.

Here's our Fortnite The Simpsons live event reactions, and our live coverage in the build up to launch of the new season. We'll detail everything we know about the mini-season so far, and give you up to date info on what to expect.

When will Fortnite be back online?

Fortnite will be back online after downtime ends. According to the in-game timer, this matches up to the times below:

• East Coast (US): 4:30PM ET
• West Coast (US): 1:30PM PT
• United Kingdom: 8:30PM GMT
• Central Europe: 9:30PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 7:30AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 5:30AM JST (November 2)

Fortnite The Simpsons live event start time

The Fortnite x The Simpsons live event started on Saturday, November 1 at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 11AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12AM JST (November 2)

With Fortnite live events, I always recommend that you log into the game half an hour before start time. You'll want to get into the event pre-lobby as early as you can, as servers can fill up fast.

How long did the event last?

The Fortnite The Simpsons live event lasted around 15 minutes, and was mostly a cutscene, serving as an introduction to the new season.

Fortnite The Simpsons downtime

Fortnite The Simpsons is expected to launch at 5PM ET / 2PM PT / 9PM GMT (at the latest). Fortnite kicked into downtime at the times listed below (now started):

• East Coast (US): 11:30AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8:30AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3:30PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4:30PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2:30AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12:30AM JST (November 2)

Live coverage as it happened

Welcome, Our Alien Overlords!

Hello Fortnite fans, it's officially time to start my live build up to the Fortnite x The Simpsons live event. I'll give you all of the most up to date info on what to expect, and lead you through the process of how things will work tomorrow.

What time does the next Fortnite live event start

The Fortnite The Simpsons live event begins November 1 at the times listed below:

• East Coast (US): 11AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12AM JST (November 2)

Check out the Fortnite The Simpsons live event countdown

If you head to Creepy Camps in Fortnite Battle Royale, you'll spot Bart's Treehouse, in a distinctly different cel-shaded kind of style. Next to this is a big red countdown clock, ticking down to the event. You can monitor this while in-game, or stay up to date with this live blog. I'll be giving regular updates as to how long is left to go before the live event begins.

A new Tweet advises players to drop in early

The Fortnite X account has posted an update regarding the upcoming live event. It's advised that players drop in early, to avoid missing the festivities. Personally, I'll be jumping into the game half an hour prior to the start time.

Sidekicks arrive next season

On October 30, Epic Games revealed Fortnite Sidekicks. These are essentially pets that players can purchase, with these new companions following around in certain game modes. There's set to be one in the new Battle Pass, and several have been shown off in the reveal trailer.

Jonesy and Hope battle Kang and Kodos

We haven't seen a whole lot of official key art from Epic Games regarding the upcoming The Simpsons tie-in. The image above shows Jonesy and Hope in the style of The Simpsons, facing off with Kang and Kodos. Hopefully we get a look of in-game characters later today.

Fortnite creators will reveal The Simpsons gameplay later today!

Fortnite creators like NickEh30 will reveal early looks at the upcoming The Simpsons tie-in later today. At 3PM ET / 11AM PT / 7PM BST, we'll get our first look at gameplay. You can even see a new key art image in the tweet embedded above, showing off some new skins.

Here's where to find Bart's Treehouse

You can visit Bart's Treehouse in Fortnite Battle Royale mode currently, giving you a sneak peek at the new art-style. I've marked the location on the map below, using a red house icon. It's located in the northwestern corner of Creepy Camps.

Fortnite will head into downtime after the next live event

Epic Games has now confirmed that Fortnite will head into downtime following the conclusion of the Welcome, Our Alien Overlords live event. This will happen at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 11:30AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8:30AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3:30PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4:30PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2:30AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12:30AM JST (November 2)

El Barto wreaks havoc

You may have noticed some updates to the Fortnitemares branding on the main Fortnite channels and website this week. Graffiti from the infamous is scrawled all over, turning Fortnite into 'Fartnite'. If you head in-game, you'll see this too, as well as a small animation of Bart using spray paint. This is the first proper look at the upcoming Bart skin, which puts him in a robotic suit, like Morty.

The Simpsons gets a Rocket League collaboration

The Simpsons has announced a Rocket League collaboration, launching November 1. This likely points to some Rocket Racing tie-ins too, given that this is all owned by Epic Games.

Fortnite live event playlist is now in-game

If you load into Fortnite and scroll down a bit on the Discover menu, you'll find the Fortnite The Simpsons live event playlist. You can't join yet, but this does confirm that it will indeed be a separate playlist.

I'm off for today

We're now just under 22 hours until the start of the next Fortnite live event. I'm heading off for the evening, but I'll be back tomorrow to lead you through the build up to kick off. Until then!

Just three hours until the next Fortnite live event!

Hello again. It's now just a few hours until the start of The Simpsons x Fortnite live event, and a bunch of stuff has been revealed overnight. I'll start by re-iterating the start times below:

• East Coast (US): 11AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12AM JST (November 2)

The Simpsons update preload is live

If you're on PS5 and Xbox, the Fortnite The Simpsons update is available for preload. Just check for the latest update, it's around 35GB. You'll need this to jump into the live event and the new season later on. Credit to @ShiinaBR on X for this news. It's well worth checking out their feed as well, as there's a whole host of new leaks.

Here's when the new season of Fortnite starts

While the live event kicks off at 11AM ET / 8AM PT / 3PM GMT, the Fortnite The Simpsons new season will arrive 6 hours later. This means that you can expect to jump into the new update at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 5PM ET
• West Coast (US): 2PM PT
• United Kingdom: 9PM GMT
• Central Europe: 10PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 8AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 6AM JST (November 2)

New teaser shows off Bart and Homer

Epic Games has posted a YouTube Short showing a teaser for the upcoming The Simpsons update for Fortnite. We see a look at the map, some new Sidekicks, and items like the Maggie shopping cart Glider, and a Krusty balloon gun.

Fortnite The Simpsons live event countdown: 2 hours to go!

It's now just two hours until the Fortnite The Simpsons live event kicks off. Make sure to jump into the game at least 20 minutes early to secure a spot. There's a separate event playlist in the Discover menu.

Watch the Kang and Kodos teaser

A Kang and Kodos-starring event teaser was posted on the Fortnite X account last night. It shows Jonesy and Hope in full The Simpsons style. Are we going to be fighting off an alien invasion later? Time will tell.

Today's downtime for Fortnite The Simpsons

After the live event, Fortnite will head into downtime before the launch of The Simpsons season. This will kick in at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 11:30AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8:30AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3:30PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4:30PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2:30AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12:30AM JST (November 2)

Fortnite The Simpsons live event countdown: One Hour to go!

We'll be dropping into the latest Fortnite live event in just one hour. Make sure your game is updated, and take a look at the 'Welcome, Our Alien Overlords' playlist in the Discover menu.

Super Squishees for all

We now know that the Kwik-E-Mart's signature drink: The Squishee, will be available in Fortnite as part of the new season. It's an item, similar to a Slurp Juice, that appears to increase movement speed. We'll have to wait and see what other effects it has later on today.

Fortnite The Simpsons live event countdown: 30 minutes until kick off!

The Fortnite The Simpsons live event begins in just 30 minutes. I'd recommend loading into the game now, and waiting in a lobby until the playlist opens up.

Other modes are disabled

According to Fortnite Status on X, Battle Royale, Zero Build, and Ranked are temporarily unavailable leading up to and during the live event.

The Fortnite live event starts now

It's time for the live event to begin! Wait for the playlist to unlock and join with your squad. I'll be giving my impressions as it all unfolds.

Servers are absolutely full!

Me and my squad are having trouble starting the event. Looks like servers are extremely busy, but I'm going to keep trying.

Fortnite live event matchmaking error

I'm getting a matchmaking error when trying to start the event. It appears that services are having some difficulties on Epic's end.

Is the Fortnite live event online?

It would appear that everyone is having trouble getting into the live event. This is a Fortnite-side error, so we'll have to wait for updates.

An instability is opening up

The event has started, and a pink instability portal has opened up above Bart's Treehouse.

There's a giant squid enemy in the sky!

Looks like a giant squid has appeared through the portal. It's slammed down a tentacle, and now there's a cutscene showing Kang and Kodos invading the island.

The event is over, and now we wait for the next season

The live event was pretty much just a cutscene, that looked like an episode of The Simpsons. The Island merged with Springfield to become...Springfield Island. We then got a run through of the intro to The Simpsons, showing off the new season.

The Simpsons | Fortnite starts later today

Now, there's just a loading screen with a countdown to the new season. The game is now in downtime, so we'll have to wait to jump into the new update.

Bart arrives in Fortnite

During the live event, we finally got a good look at Bart Simpson in his Fortnite variant. He has a robotic suit similar to Morty's (Rick and Morty). This is to bring him up to the same general proportions as other characters in the game.

You'll be able to visit Springfield Island once Fortnite downtime is over

Now we wait for a few hours of Fortnite downtime. Be sure to check back in at the times specified in the countdown screen, and you'll be able to dive headfirst into the new season.

• Fortnite is getting Sidekick companions on November 1
• The update will arrive with the next season, and players can unlock the first Sidekick in the Battle Pass
• Sidekick Appearances are permanent and can't be duplicated, meaning players will have to purchase Sidekicks multiple times if they want to use a different Appearance

Epic Games has announced Sidekicks for Fortnite, a new pet companion feature that will follow players in-game.

Sidekicks will officially join Fortnite's Battle Royale mode, Lego Fortnite, Fortnite Save the World, and Fortnite Festival on November 1, alongside the release of the next season, which is set to feature The Simpsons.

Players will be able to unlock the game's very first Sidekick, Peels, in the next Battle Pass, with more set to arrive in the Shop on November 7, including Bonesy, Spike, and Lil’ Raptor.

Epic Games has also teased "something for all the cat people out there" that will come later.

Players who already own the Bonesy Back Bling will be granted the Bonesy Sidekick on November 7, too, so they can be on the lookout for that when it hits their Lockers.

It's also confirmed that these adorable pals don't provide any gameplay advantage and don't take damage from enemies, and are simply "friendly cosmetics that stay by your side".

As Epic Games explains in the latest blog post, players can customize the Appearance of most Sidekicks one time only in their Locker after obtaining them.

"Your choices are permanent, so make sure to preview the Appearance before locking it in," the studio said.

This means that players must purchase a Sidekick multiple times if they want to use different Appearances.

In the FAQ section, Epic Games explained, "Yes, you can purchase a Sidekick multiple times and give them different Appearances. However, each Sidekick customization you own in your Locker must be unique. Duplicate Appearances are not allowed."

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 is set to end on November 1, the same day The Simpsons join the game as part of a Fortnite live event.

For more, check out our guide for Fortnite's next season release date and what to expect from Chapter 6 Season 5, including map changes, new skins, and upcoming updates.

• Resident Evil Requiem will be coming to Fortnite next year
• Players who pre-order Requiem on the Epic Games Store will receive a special Fortnite skin based on Grace Ashcroft and more
• The Fortnite goodies will be distributed after Requiem's February 27, 2026 release

Capcom has announced that Resident Evil Requiem will be coming to Fortnite next year.

The publisher shared the collaboration in a social media post today, confirming that players who pre-order Resident Evil Requiem on the Epic Games Store will receive a special Fortnite outfit based on protagonist Grace Ashcroft, along with other as-yet undisclosed items.

"Resident Evil Requiem is coming to Fortnite," Capcom said. "Order Resident Evil Requiem on the Epic Games Store to get a Grace Ashcroft Fortnite skin & more. Stay tuned for more info."

The studio also noted that these pre-order goodies "will be distributed after Resident Evil Requiem's release", which means players will receive their rewards after the game launches on February 27, 2026.

Fortnite featured a Resident Evil crossover back in 2021 with the addition of Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, and later Leon S. Kennedy and Clair Redfield in 2023.

It's unclear if these characters will make a return alongside the Requiem collab next year.

Resident Evil Requiem is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem have officially gone live. The Standard Edition is available for $69.99 / £64.99, while the Deluxe Edition is $79.99 / £74.99 and also comes with a costume based on Resident Evil Village's Lady Dimitrescu for Grace.

A Fortnite The Simpsons crossover live event airs tomorrow (November 1), and so far we know very little about it. Thankfully, we do know when the event is set to go live, and some info on what to expect. There's also been some teases in-game, including an appearance by Kang and Kodos.

We're nearing the end of Fortnitemares 2025, and thankfully now know what the next season of Fortnite will entail. The Simpsons will be the main collaboration, and it's rumored that it'll be a mini-season like we had with the Fortnite Galactic Battle season in May of 2025.

So far, we know that there will be a live event to kick things off, leading into the new season. It's regular seasonal switchovers like these that have kept Fortnite ranked highly on our list of the best crossplay games to play in 2025.

Here's the Fortnite The Simpsons live event start time, as well as everything confirmed for the seasonal switchover. As new info is revealed, I'll be sure to update this page. Given that we're just a day away from launch, you can now follow along live in the build up to the event as part of our Fortnite The Simpsons event live blog.

Fortnite The Simpsons live event start date and time

The Fortnite x The Simpsons live event starts on November 1 at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 11AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2AM AEDT (November 2)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12AM JST (November 2)

We'll likely hear more about matchmaking later this week, but expect to login around half an hour before the event starts to make sure you get a place.

What do we know about the Fortnite The Simpsons live event?

Epic Games is yet to reveal the full dteails on the upcoming Fortnite The Simpsons mini-event. The company is indeed calling it a "mini-event", which is different phrasing to the usual speak surrounding upcoming seasonal transitions. If you head in-game, you'll see the message below:

"'Welcome Our Alien Overlords' Mini Event - Nov 1. Not even Bart's Treehouse can contain what awaits. Kick back on the couch, grab a donut, and welcome Kang and Kodos on November 1 at 11AM ET! Don't change the channel - more of The Simpsons is coming soon."

It seems then, that the mini event is titled: "Welcome Our Alien Overlords". In the Instagram post embedded above, we see Kang and Kodos battling it out with Jones and Hope, all in the style of The Simpsons.

Over on X, the official Fortnite account revealed another look at Kang and Kodos, confirming the upcoming event. So far, this is really all we have, though there are some in-game teases, which I'll cover below.

The Simpsons in-game Fortnite teasers

If you head into Fortnite Battle Royale and visit Creepy Camps, you'll find a countdown clock, ticking down to the event's start time. It's next to Bart's Treehouse, which is completely cel-shaded, as is the area around it. You can jump up into the treehouse to find a TV.

In addition to the treehouse and countdown, you'll also see Kang and Kodos flying in alongside the battle bus at the beginning of a match. They're in the Fortnite art-style, so it's possible they'll be available as a glider later on.

That's everything that's been officially confirmed for the upcoming Fortnite x The Simpsons live event. As more info is revealed I'll be sure to add it here. There have been some Fortnite The Simpsons leaks, however, revealing some of the Battle Pass characters, and an early version of the new map.

If you're playing Fortnite on mobile, check out our recommendations for the best mobile controllers below:

• The Simpsons is coming to Fortnite on November 1
• The previously leaked mini-season is set to feature The Simpsons' alien invaders, Kang and Kodos
• The mini-season will begin as Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 ends

The rumors were true! Epic Games has confirmed that The Simpsons is officially coming to Fortnite for the very first time as the game's annual Fortnitemares Halloween event draws to a close.

In a post shared to X / Twitter, Epic Games shared new artwork teasing the leaked crossover showing Fortnite's Jonesy and Hope facing off against The Simpsons' alien invaders, Kang and Kodos, in the long-running TV show's iconic art style.

The Fortnite account's header image also appears to have been vandalized with graffiti by Bart Simpson, suggesting the character will also make an appearance in the new mini-season.

But when can players expect to play the new collaboration? Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 is set to end on November 1, the same day The Simpsons mini-season will seemingly kick off.

"Kang and Kodos have arrived in Fortnite with a message for all of you humans, be sure to tune in-game on Nov 1 at 11AM ET," Epic Games said.

The official Instagram account for The Simpsons also shared a video teasing the mini-season, which shows Kang and Kodos turning Fortnite character Fishtick into a plate of fishsticks before abducting Jonesy and Hope.

If you jump into Fortnite Battle Royale currently, you'll notice Kang and Kodos flying in their UFO alongside the battle bus at the beginning of matches. You can see how this looks in the image below:

There are still a few days left before Fortnite Shock 'N Awesome wraps up, as well as its Halloween event, Fortnitemares, which added Scooby Doo and the gang, real-life popstar Doja Cat, and a bunch of horror icons like Ghostface, Jason Voorhees, and more.

For more, check out our guide for Fortnite's next season release date and what to expect from Chapter 6 Season 5, including map changes and upcoming updates.

• Leaks have emerged for a rumored Fortnite x The Simpsons collaboration
• Full promotional art has been shared on X, showing Homer Simpson, a new Peely variant, and other new skins
• So far, Epic Games has yet to reveal anything official, but the current season is set to end on November 1

Fortnite is rumored to be getting a month-long collaboration mini-season with The Simpsons. If these leaks are to be believed, the month-long mini season will run in November, with a Springfield-themed map makeover.

Leaks have been emerging for a couple of weeks now, but on October 24, 2025, a full Fortnite HD key art image was shared by leaker @blortzen on X. This shows off Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, a Blinky Fishstick variant, a Peely variant, Ned Flanders, Bart, and Lisa running rampage through Springfield-themed POIs (points of interest). This leak has been shared by top Fortnite leaker @ShiinaBR on X, adding further weight to the image's authenticity:

Another prominent leaker @HYPEX shared an alleged screenshot of the new map for the rumored mini-season. This originally came from @Jorge_Most on X.

Of course, these images haven't been officially confirmed by Epic Games, so until we can verify their authenticity, treat them as rumors. In general, both @HYPEX and @ShinaaBR have been consistently reliable with pre-season leaks, having recently revealed the Fortnitemares 2025 content before Epic Games did.

I'm extremely excited by the prospect of an entire The Simpsons-themed mini-season. There are just so many skins they could add. Personally, I'm hoping for Hans Moleman. If the leaks are to be believed, we'll see a total map makeover, featuring iconic Springfield locations.

It's been a while since we got a full The Simpsons video game, so I'm hoping this season scratches that Hit 'n' Run itch. I am a bit worried about just how much money I'm prepared to fork over for The Simpsons skins and other cosmetics, but hopefully, there will be some savings to be had via a Battle Pass. For everything officially confirmed for the future of Fortnite, visit our next season of Fortnite guide.

An enormous Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage had a huge impact across the internet yesterday, and gaming did not escape the damage.

Games of all types, from Fortnite to Wordle to Roblox were affected by the AWS outage. Problems started at about 7.30am BST (that's 2.30am ET) yesterday, October 20, when gaming services started having huge spikes on the outage-detecting website Downdetector.

The root of the problems lies with Amazon Web Services, but the Amazon Web Services dashboard only described an "operational issue" in North Virginia as the cause of the problem.

The effect of the outage was massive and impacted millions of people across the internet, and in gaming, folks were just flat-out unable to play huge games like Battlefield 6 and Fortnite .

Thankfully, the problems have largely been resolved - though I wouldn't be surprised if we see some blips still occur in the near future - and normal service has broadly been resumed. You can see here how we covered it and some of the 'highlights' through the event.

Latest news

Gaming services hit by massive AWS outage

A huge Amazon Web Services (AWS) problem started earlier this morning at about 7.30am BST (2.30am ET) and has seen a whole host of gaming services and games hit by interruptions and straight-up failures.

This will be huge today with millions of gamers trying to play online or affect storefronts on the daily. Right now, we can see that the likes of Fortnite, Roblox, Wordle, and the Epic Game Store - and many, many more - have been affected.

Let's do the rounds and see what the state of play is and if there's any fix on the horizon.

Fortnite massively affected

One of the very biggest games in the world has been affected by the AWS outage: Fortnite is currently down for many.

My colleague Rhys just sent me the above screenshot showing that he just flat-out cannot sign in to the game.

The error reads: "Unable to sign in to your account for online services. Please try again later."

Fortnite being down is partnered by Epic's own storefront failing to load or let me log in online.

The above error screen is what I get and have had all morning...

PS Network seems fine...

In slightly better news, the PlayStation Network seems to be fine - at least for me and many others, despite there being some reports of outages.

From my testing however, the store, games, and PS direct, and all my account gumpf is fine - thankfully.

An update from AWS

We have an update from AWS!

Reporting at 2.27aam PT (that's 10.27am BST), AWS said:

"We are seeing significant signs of recovery. Most requests should now be succeeding. We continue to work through a backlog of queued requests. We will continue to provide additional information."

Fingers crossed that means we're now coming oput the end of this...

Cannot go fast right now in Sonic...

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has been affected by the AWS outage too with my colleague Rhys sharing this screenshot showing that the connection to the server is just failing.

Phew! Wordle is back…

Wordle was badly hit by the AWS outage earlier, but appears to be back online now.

Though the page itself – hosted on the New York Times' gaming site – loaded, it wouldn't let users log in, meaning they wouldn't be able to extend their all-important streaks.

The site now seems to be working normally, so you can go ahead and get your daily fix. (And if you need help, make sure you check out our Wordle today page for hints and discussion of the game.)

Thanks for the above update to our Global Editor-in-Chief, and Wordle warlock, Marc McLaren!

If you play Amazon games, you may be hit hard...

Perhaps somewhat predictably, if you're someone who plays Amazon games it looks like you're being hit hard right now.

The above image is from the Throne and Liberty X / Twitter account, and remains the latest update on the game which appears to acknowledge widespread problems for players trying to login and play...

Same goes for Lost Ark...

Unsurprisingly, the same goes for Amazon's other big game, Lost Ark, with the official X / Twitter account offering an almost identical statement acknowledging the problems.

Roblox looks to have recovered

While the official Roblox X / Twitter account didn't post any updates about the state of Roblox today, it looks like users have reported it recovering.

It's also got a huge downward trend on Downdetector which means things are looking good for the immensely popular game platform.

We might be past the worst of it, folks

I think we may well be coming out the otherside of this massive AWS outage that's affected loads of gaming services, everyone.

Downdetector graphs across nearly all major gaming storefronts, platforms, and games are showing downward trends and we here at TechRadar are accessing a number of them fine ourselves now.

Fingers crossed that the worst of it is over...

Fortnite remains down though...

It looks as though the huge battle royale game that is Fortnite is still down, however.

The above screenshot was from a few minutes ago, and taken by a colleague of mine showing that it is still impossible to sign in for some folks.

That last post about Fortnite is still backed up by the latest statement from the official Fortnite Status X / Twitter page, by the way. See that below:

Elsewhere it looks like Reddit is having real trouble...

Adjacent to all the gaming chaos, which looks to be recovering, thankfully, it does look like Reddit is having an outage for the ages too right now.

You can follow that outage and get all the latest information here: Massive AWS outage takes down Reddit, Snapchat, Alexa, Ring and much of the internet – all the latest updates live

Fortnite is still very much down

We're still checking regular and Fortnite is still throwing up "Servers not responding" errors on the login screen.

The Epic Games Storefront online is back up for me however, so hopefully that's a good sign for Fortnite!

AWS update

Okay, we've got another update from the horse's mouth.

A new post on the AWS dashboard from 4.08am PDT / 7.08am ET / 12.08pm BST says: "We are continuing to work towards full recovery for EC2 launch errors, which may manifest as an Insufficient Capacity Error.

"Additionally, we continue to work toward mitigation for elevated polling delays for Lambda".

It's all a bit technical, but a big takeaway here is that EC2 is short for Elastic Compute Cloud, which provides virtual servers in the cloud for running apps and hosting data. This likely explains why so many apps, like Snapchat and others, are having ongoing problems.

As a result, we might see the disturbance last a little while longer.

It appears as though Fortnite may be back...

OK, it looks as though Fortnite may be on the return!

The official Fortnite Status account on X / Twitter, has stated that players should be able to log in and matchmake with issue after the service provider outage has been "resolved".

The full statement is above but things could be on the up now...

It's a bit slow for us, but Fortnite is back...

My colleague Rhys has just tried Fortnite again, and we can confirm that the game is back online!

It's definitely a bit slow, but it's definitely here and you can get going on games and matchmaking. Huzzah!

Other major stores and services seem fine

We've been constantly checking the affected games and services that we have access to, and everything broadly looks okay from a gaming perspective.

We'll keep tabs on everything we can but hopefully things are looking much improved and on the up.

We're not out of the woods yet, perhaps

Looks like AWS are suggesting we're not out of the woods yet, and might see conitnued disruption...

In a statement from 7.14am PT / 10.14 ET / 15.14 BST, AWS said: "We can confirm significant API errors and connectivity issues across multiple services in the US-EAST-1 Region. We are investigating and will provide further update in 30 minutes or soon if we have additional information."

Uh oh, looks like Battlefield 6 might be affected...

As per the above screenshot taken from Downdetector it appears that Battlefield 6 may be being affected by today's outage - suddenly, and on a massive scale!

I will try to check this out imminently to confirm either way from what I can experience, but definitely something to be aware of.

Battlefield 6 latest...

OK, it did look bad when we just checked Battlefield 6, and while we were actually able to join a game, it's now hanging again and failing!

Looks like it could be a bad time to be an online Battlefield 6 player...

Battlefield 6 coming and going

OK, it appears that Battlefield 6 is coming and going a bit now. It's occasionally working for us, but still sometimes not letting you on.

Battlefield 6 still being temperamental

Someone else has told me that they still can't get into Battlefield 6 so your problems may continue if you're looking to play the mega online shooter.

And with that, I'm off

I have to leave now, but will leave this blog in the capable hands of my colleague Jacob.

Otherwise, this blog will still be a great resource of information about what happened today.

Hello there – Jacob Krol here, and we're still seeing reports of outages and persistent issues with Battlefield 6, according to Down Detector. Since the last update, at 1:54PM ET, there are still over 1,000 reports for the title on the site.

There are a few comments in the last 15 or so minutes noting that the service is finally starting to become available again.

While hours have passed since the initial start of AWS updates and a few hours since Amazon's most recent update, we'll paste that below. It seems that many issues with both Battlefield, Fortnite, Epic Games, and Roblox have improved – though it's not a complete fix.

Reported outages for these games and storefronts have recovered a bit, and I was able to load into a Fortnite match as well. Even so, though, Twitch and the PlayStation Network still seem to be encountering issues.

"We have continued to reduce throttles for EC2 instance launches in the US-EAST-1 Region and we continue to make progress toward pre-event levels in all Availability Zones (AZs). AWS services such as ECS and Glue, which rely on EC2 instance launches will recover as the successful instance launch rate improves. We see full recovery for Lambda invocations and are working through the backlog of queued events, which we expect to be fully processed in approximately in the next two hours. We will provide another update by 2:30 PM PDT."

Well, that was exciting, wasn't it? I mean, in a largely awful way, of course.

Thankfully, it looks like much of the problems affecting games and gaming stores and services have passed! Huzzah!

• Fortnite's annual Halloween event, Fortnitemares, has returned
• The seasonal event adds Doja Cat, Scooby Doo and the gang, and several horror movie and video game skins
• A new Nitemare Island map is being added on October 10

Epic Games has released the details and first trailer for Fortnitemares, Fortnite's annual Halloween event, revealing the crossover characters who will be added to the game.

Fortnitemares officially returns today, October 9, and like last year, the seasonal event arrives with an exciting new collaboration to celebrate, this time starring Scooby Doo and the gang.

The trailer confirmed that Scooby Doo, Shaggy, Daphne, Fred, and Velma will all be featured in this year's Halloween event, and likely be available as skins in the Item Shop.

They'll also be joined by this year's main event boss, Mother of Thorns, and real-life popstar Doja Cat.

"Fear gets a new face. Meet the Mother of Thorns, Doja Cat, who’s twisting Battle Royale into her haunted kingdom and unleashing chaos with a wild cast of characters," Epic Games teased.

Those characters include horror icons like Scream's Ghostface, Jason Vorhees from Friday the 13th, Wednesday Addams, the Grabber from Black Phone, and Art the Clown from Terrifier.

There will also be some skins inspired by some video games, including those from R.E.P.O. and Huggy Wuggy from the survival horror game, Poppy Playtime.

Players can also look forward to the all-new Nitemare Island that will debut in Fortnite Reload on October 10, which transforms the map into a Halloween-inspired spectacle.

The new event arrives amid Chapter 6 Season 4, which recently added a K-pop Demon Hunters collaboration.

For more, be sure to check out our full Fortnitemares 2025 article and our guide for Fortnite's next season release date and what to expect from Chapter 6 Season 5, including map changes and upcoming updates.

You might also like...

• Assassin's Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory DLC arrives in November as a free story DLC featuring a new region, quests, and additional improvements
• Despite its major changes to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft insists that the rumors surrounding canceled hardware plans are false
• PlayStation and Walmart have combined for the new Icon Blue DualSense PS5 controller, and it looks fantastic – here's how to buy it when it launches

Fortnitemares 2025 has now begun, adding in a whole host of new spooky skins and more. Now that Epic Games has revealed the full details on this year's Halloween event, we know that it'll involve pop megastar Doja Cat and Ghost Face from Scream. Other reveals include a Scooby Doo collaboration, as well as some other neat tie-ins.

Fortnite is currently well into Chapter 6 Season 4, and there has recently been a K-pop Demon Hunters collaboration that made a few changes to the map. As the year winds down, it's clear that Fortnite isn't slowing down any time soon. It is regular updates and changes, like Fortnitemares that have kept Fortnite ranked highly in our best free games list.

Here's everything we know about Fortnitemares 2025, including a look at the Doja Cat skins, and the new Reload map. As new details drop, this page will be updated.

Fortnitemares 2025 end date

Fortnitemares 2025 started on October 9, 2025. This was revealed by an in-game pop-up that teased the event. You can see this image below:

We now know that Fortnitemares 2025 will run right up until November 1, 2025. Plenty of time to get your hands on the new Halloween-themed skins.

Fortnitemares 2025 confirmed collaborations

Thanks to the official Fortnite user account on Reddit (u/TheFortniteTeam), we know that Scooby Doo, Scream, and R.E.P.O. are a part of Fortnitemares 2025. The team posted images to a bunch of different subreddits, and you can see two of them in the image above. The Scream teaser is embedded below, showing a very terrified Peely reflected onto Ghostface's knife.

Thanks to an official blog post on the Fortnite website, you can view all of the upcoming skins, including Jason from Friday the 13th, Wednesday Addams, and Ghost Face. Here's the release dates for the remaining skins:

• Terrifier - October 22
• Poppy PlayTime - October 23
• Wednesday Addams - October 24
• REPO - October 25

Fortnitemares Doja Cat

Finally, we have Doja Cat, who's been revealed as the main baddie for this year's Fortnitemares. The clip embedded above was shared on the official Fortnite Twitter account on October 8, and was a small part of a trailer that followed. You can view the full trailer below:

Fortnitemares map

There's a new Reload Map called Nitemare Island in Fortnitemares as of October 10. You can see the POIs (points of interest) in the image embedded above. It's entirely Halloween themed, perfect for the spooky season.

You might also like...

• Fortnite next season release date
• The best crossplay games to play in 2025
• Best multiplayer PC games

• KPop Demon Hunters is the latest Fortnite collaboration to join the game
• Skins and accessories inspired by the HUNTR/X members, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, are now available
• Players can also take part in Demon Rush, a new version of Horde Rush, until November 1

KPop Demon Hunters, one of the biggest animated films of the year, has officially arrived in Fortnite as the game's latest collaboration.

Starting today, players can get their hands on skins inspired by the HUNTR/X members, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, in the Fortnite Item Shop, along with a selection of accessories and emotes from the Netflix hit that will also be available in the HUNTR/X Bundle.

The limited-time Horde Rush also makes a return as the revised Demon Rush, which will be available as a month-long game mode from October 2 to November 1.

"Recruit Rumi, Mira, or Zoey as you fight endless waves of faceless demons, while also loading up on Kpop Demon Hunters inspired perks between each Survival Phase," Epic Games said.

In addition, players will be able to complete quests from Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, and earn new items in Battle Royale, Reload, and Blitz, including Rumi’s Empowered Sword, Mira’s X-tra Spicy Ramyeon, Zoey's Golden Bubble Shield, and the Derpy Teleporter Mask.

Alongside these new additions to Battle Royale and Blitz, creators will also have access to KPop Demon Hunter-inspired assets, signature gameplay items, demon enemies, and the members of HUNTR/X.

"Whether it’s slashing through foes with Rumi’s Empowered Sword or orchestrating KPop street showdowns, developers can build melee-focused islands or remix their existing islands," Epic Games said.

After building their own experiences, creators can publish them right away with the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) and Fortnite Creative.

Unfortunately, the KPop Demon Hunters collaboration doesn't feature any Jam tracks for Fortnite Festival, so there won't be any jamming sessions to the film's popular 'Golden' or 'Soda Pop' songs. Here's hoping another update will arrive in the future to add these features, along with the Saja Boys!

Fortnite is currently in the middle of Chapter 6 Season 4. For more, check out our guide for Fortnite's next season release date and what to expect from Chapter 6 Season 5, including map changes and upcoming updates.

You might also like...

• A new Halo announcement seems imminent as Halo Studios teases 'deep dive' panel next month
• Fear not, newcomers to Resident Evil Requiem, as the producer shines light on how much prior knowledge you'll need to enjoy the game
• Marvel's Wolverine finally has a release window as its first official trailer confirms Insomniac's next superhero game will be a bloody spectacle

• A new Fortnite collaboration with Daft Punk has been announced
• The Daft Punk Experience will be an immersive "fully interactive playground" experience
• A new Daft Punk Bundle will be available on September 25

Epic Games has announced a special Fortnite collaboration event with the electronic music duo Daft Punk, set to take place this weekend.

The Daft Punk Experience is described as a new immersive tribute to the iconic Grammy-winning duo, which will take players on a cosmic voyage from the world of Battle Royale to the world of Daft Punk.

Unlike previous musical collaborations, this crossover will also feature a "fully interactive playground" that includes multiple rooms with different ways to experience the band’s music.

The grand opening is scheduled for September 27 at 2 PM ET / 7 PM BST / 11 AM PT, but doors open for the pre-event lobby 30 minutes early at 1:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM BST / 10:30 AM PT.

"The Daft Punk Experience gives fans and players a chance to enter into this retro-futuristic realm celebrating the band’s legacy, reimagined for the virtual world," Epic Games said.

"Remix Daft Punk’s previously released music and create mashups of Daft Punk’s songs within Fortnite at Dream Chamber Studios, blast hordes of robots with a soundwave laser in the Robot Rock Arena, make a LEGO music video at Around the World, or hit the Daft Club to dance ‘til dawn. You’ll also find furniture from longtime Daft Punk collaborators Hervet Manufacturier throughout the experience."

In addition to the main event, a new Daft Punk Bundle will also be available in the Fortnite Shop on September 25, which features Daft Punk's GM08 helmet, outfit, and accessories, the TB3 helmet, outfit, and accessories, as well as instruments and a "Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers)" Jam Track. All outfits and accessories will be available in Fortnite and LEGO styles.

Epic Games has also teased an "afterparty," but more details will be revealed later. More details about the upcoming event can be found on the official blog here.

You might also like...

• Best free games 2025: gaming fun at no extra cost
• Kojima Productions shares a freaky new teaser trailer for its Xbox Game Studios title OD
• Hideo Kojima's espionage action game Physint gets a new poster showing its obscured protagonist, but fans think they've already figured out who's playing them

• Fortnite creators will be able to sell items and cosmetics from December 2025
• Until the end of 2026, they'll keep all of the profits, at which point Epic will take a 50% to help fund the game's ecosystem
• Creators can pay to feature their island on Sponsored Row

If there’s one thing you can say about Fortnite, it’s that Epic Games’ massive hit doesn’t stand still for long.

As we wait for the new Power Rangers Megazord to arrive, the developer has confirmed that Fortnite creators and developers who build their own experiences will be able to sell in-game items.

Revealed as part of a Creator Ecosystem Update blog post, Epic announced that as of December, developers will be able to sell items from their own in-game Fortnite islands, skipping the game’s own storefront entirely.

While creators will eventually earn 50% of the value of V-Bucks for items sold, Epic says from December 2025 to the end of 2026, they’ll earn the entirety of that value.

As for how it’ll calculate that value, Epic says “to determine the V-Bucks value in US dollars in a given month, we take all customer real-money spending to purchase V-Bucks (converted to US Dollars), subtract platform and store fees (ranging from 12% on Epic Games Store to 30% on current consoles), and divide it by the total V-Bucks spent by players.”

“Fortnite's average platform and store fees are currently 26% (with specific fees ranging from 12% on the Epic Games Store to 30% on console platforms). So, 50% of V-Bucks value translates to ~37% of retail spending, and 100% of V-Bucks value translates to ~74%.”

Items that can be sold will fit into ‘consumable’ and ‘durable’ categories, with the former including single or limited-use items, and the latter including skins and other cosmetics.

If a creator wants to highlight an item for sale, they can purchase space on Sponsored Row to highlight their island to other users, and Epic says creators will also earn additional revenue from an ‘engagement pool’ which takes into account how long players spend on a creator’s island, how much money is spent there, and how many users stick around.

You might also like...

• After seeing Logitech’s AI-powered game streaming assistant in action, I think it’s one of the best uses of the tech yet
• Battlefield 6 will let console players avoid PC crossplay to prevent cheaters ruining everyone's good time
• Fortnite Dino Megazord release date and what to expect from the new Power Rangers skin

Renowned Fortnite streamer Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins is set to host a 24-hour gaming fundraiser event for melanoma awareness later this week on September 19. Gaming For Cause aims to leverage Ninja’s global audience to help inform on the importance of early detection in skin cancers, primarily through mole checks.

Skincare brand La Roche-Posay will be working on the initiative, culminating in a charity livestream that’ll see top content creators jump into Fortnite and Marvel Rivals, all the while educating audiences on melanomas, a type of cancer that’s notable for its prevalence across a wider age group than some other cancers.

Melanomas and early detection

Recently, I had the chance to speak to Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins. Speaking on the wider age group prevalence of melanomas, Blevins highlighted the core message that he and La Roche-Posay are trying to get across during the upcoming event.

“There’s a lot of, unfortunately, to say this: cancers that are rising in all groups, at a much younger age. I’m not an expert by any means with this stuff, but it’s happening. Since we don’t completely understand the cause yet, and we can’t completely cure it yet as well, early prevention and detection is the one-hundred percent best method.”

Ninja’s cancer battle

During my time with him, it became clear that the issue of melanoma detection is a cause that’s personal to the 34-year-old gaming content creator. He received a melanoma diagnosis in March of 2024, which then led to another mole being checked and diagnosed as a second instance of skin cancer.

“If I’m someone that’s not spending every single day out in the sun, though, mind you, my wife and I live in Florida, so we are getting significantly more sun exposure. The first Melanoma was on the bottom of my foot, and the second one was on my thigh,” said Blevins. “I’ve always stared at this mole on my right thigh, it obviously always got blasted with sun exposure, and I was always like, you know… I gotta keep an eye on this one.”

Why Fortnite?

Gaming seems to be a uniquely positioned space to reach age groups that may otherwise be left out of public health messaging. Gaming For Cause focuses on Fortnite and Marvel Rivals, and I asked Blevins why he thinks Fortnite is the right place for the fundraiser.

“Fortnite is just because it's a, you know, people call it a children's game, but I meet fans every single day that are in their mid-20s that tell me that they used to watch all the time for the last, you know, six years, seven years, because that's how long the game has been out. These kids have grown up. They're adults now.” He continued, “Some of them have families who were watching me back in 2018, and I think that escapes a lot of people. You know, it's it, for some reason, it always has the stigma of a children's game, and it's just not, it's for everyone, and it affects all ages.”

He continued to explain how Fortnite’s focus on skins, especially in how inherently synonymous character skins are with the blockbuster Epic Games franchise, ties in perfectly with some of the key messaging around the event.

“There's the skin aspect of it, right? Like the hashtag, Save Your Skin. That is one of La Roche’s (La Roche-Posay) hashtags and mottos. There are a bunch of skins in Fortnite. There's a bunch of skins and more. Skins in Marvel Rivals, too, so we're tying that together. It's going to be a little playful, you know, play along with that, it should be good.”

It’s clear that Fortnite’s ever-growing suite of creative tools and bespoke player-created experiences is an area that’s primed to be used to spread awareness on a whole range of important issues. Epic Games’ creation tools are offered up via the Unreal Engine website, and there are tips on how these can be implemented and folded into a teaching curriculum.

Is there a responsibility on publishers to raise awareness?

I wondered whether there’s also a responsibility on the publisher side (e.g., Epic Games) to create experiences that partner with charities to raise awareness and funds for various public health causes. When posed the question of whether there’s space for publishers to consider this, and whether there’s a responsibility for them to do so, Blevins expressed optimism.

“Dude, I wish. It’s such a deeper question. It's a great question, right? Like, should Fortnite, should Call of Duty? Should these companies be raising awareness for anything?”

He went on to describe the issue as much more complicated than one might first think. Blevins can see the way companies could, in theory, embark on partnerships similar to his own with La Roche-Posay, but acknowledged the logistical realities surrounding companies as big as Epic Games.

“I think, in a perfect world, Fortnite could, and all their game companies could work alongside companies like La Roche and raise awareness and do these amazing things for this charity, you know, for this awareness. But is it an obligation for them? I don't know. I think that maybe, if it speaks to the owners and the CEOs, etc, if there's something that they want to be a part of. But I think it's a balance for them, for sure. I think it's very much not black and white. And that's really all I can speak to on that. I imagine it's much more complicated than that, unfortunately.”

Despite using his own platform as a space to push the issue of melanoma awareness, Blevins does acknowledge that every streamer’s approach is likely to be different. He remarked on the importance of personal choice regarding how a creator wants to use their space, noting the many different reasons people might be tuning into a particular streamer in the first place.

“It's one of those things where you want these games to kind of be an escape in some way, right? Especially with streamers too, which is why I do think it's important for streamers to have good causes that they care about and they support. But also, I do understand that every streamer has a right for their stream and their place to be, like a safe space from all that stuff as well. I totally get both sides.”

Fortnite and Marvel Rivals modes being played

Gaming For Cause focuses mostly on Fortnite and Marvel Rivals. And Blevins explains that there’s set to be a mix of competitive and other modes being streamed on the day.

“I think I’ll have a little bit of custom stuff in it, because it's always, it's always nice to have, like, a relaxing, fun moment where, you know, you're not sweating the entire time. But Marvel Rivals will more than likely be in competitive ranked mode. I'll find a way, you know, I'll find I'll play it down, I'll make it funny, and I'll change my skins constantly as well to and every single time I do that, I'll reference the hashtag. So it'll be, it'll be really authentic and natural. I know that that's gonna be great. But if I only do competitive for 12 hours, that's gonna be bad. For me, yeah.”

Striking that balance between having fun, raising awareness while also leveraging the competitive style of play that Ninja is known for, is going to be a key focus for Blevins. He tells me that, while taking part in similar events as Gaming For Cause, he’s had that balance front and center in his mind.

“I gotta find the balance of having fun and remembering what I'm doing it for, which is one of the things I always struggle with. Whenever I'm doing a charity stream, I want to have so much fun. But I remember doing sponsor streams with Lupo (DrLupo on Twitch). He would always do St Jude charity streams, and like, when you would donate, it’d be like, ‘drop your weapon or don't use a shotgun the entire time’, and it's like, well, I can't win these games! and I want to! I want to win, but I also want to raise money so I get it, I'll find the balance for sure.”

How viewers can get involved

On the day of the Gaming For Cause event, there will be moments where dermatologist Dr Daniel Sugai drops in to offer his expert advice on melanoma detection. Ninja and other streamers will be reinforcing these messages throughout the 24-hour livestream as well, with 100% of donations going to support the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC). This will fund free health checks via local NGOs, with the aim of early detection for melanoma prevention.

Ninja highlighted the ways in which viewers can help support the stream.

“Word of mouth is so important, sharing the stream is so important, being there and just, you know, hyping it up and telling people about it can be just as effective, if not more effective than donating to the charity. But of course, we would always appreciate even $1 going to help us hit our goal.”

One message to take away

According to a study referenced by La Roche-Posay in the promotional info sent to the press, melanoma rates are predicted to continue rising globally each year. The gaming space emerges as a key avenue for leveraging public service messaging, and hopefully, Gaming For Cause will be more proof of this. I asked Ninja to choose one core message that he’d like to relay, one takeaway that he hopes the audience leaves with once the 24-hour livestream ends.

“An hour-long appointment could save your life. And it's definitely worth it.” He continued, “I have stories of my viewers that would be like ‘I saw them all on my friend or on my significant other, and suggested we get it checked out’, just simply from talking about it. That's all it takes. Word of mouth, and just having it in the front of your mind, so that you're aware.”

Gaming For Cause takes place on September 19 at 10AM EST / 7AM PST / 3PM BST, streaming on Ninja’s YouTube and Twitch channels. You can head to the Gaming For Cause website for more details on how to donate and to check out a countdown to the start time.

You Might Also Like...

• Here's when to expect the next season of Fortnite
• The next season of Marvel Rivals arrives in October
• The very best Steam Deck games to play in 2025

The Fortnite Megazord skin arrived September 18, having been delayed out of its initial planned release date (September 16).

Now that a brand new season of Fortnite has launched. There's a completely fresh map to try out, and the addition of a bug-fighting ranking system. There are ranks to rise through in each match, giving you access to progressively more powerful gear.

We've got a while until the next season of Fortnite arrives, but there's plenty to keep us busy until then. It's regular updates like these that continue to keep Fortnite ranked highly in our best free games list.

Here's everything you need to know about the Fortnite Dino Megazord skin, including when it's coming to the game and details on how to unlock it once it's here. As new info is revealed closer to launch, we'll be sure to update this page.

Fortnite Megazord release date

Fortnite's Megazord skin was planned for release on September 16, 2025, but ended up releasing September 18 instead.

The best place to keep up on specific updates closer to the launch of the new season is the Fortnite Status Twitter account. We'll be sure to keep this page up to date as well.

How to unlock the Fortnite Megazord skin

You'll be able to start completing Quests when the update arrives that progress towards the Fortnite Dino Megazord skin. As with previous special skins like Superman, earning XP will slowly unlock more and more rewards.

You Might Also Like...

• Our picks for the best free games to play right now
• Fortnite Chapter 4 review
• Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 review

• A new Fortnite Festival season starts today
• Its themed around the virtual band Gorillaz
• It introduces a new Music Pass, plus a new bundle, and more

A new Fortnite Festival season drops today and it introduces a collab with the popular virtual band Gorillaz.

The update brings a fresh main stage that features an atmospheric backdrop of city buildings and graffiti.

There will also be a range of Gorillaz items added to the shop, available separately or as part the new Noodle and 2D Bundle based on members of the virtual group.

This includes:

• Noodle Outfit
• Noodle’s Case Back Bling
• DARE Emote
• Noodle’s Axe Guitar
• 2D Outfit
• 2D’s Megaphone Back Bling
• Gorillaz Camo Wrap
• 2D’s Mic
• “DARE” Jam Track
• Bonesy Balloons Contrail

In addition to the bundle, you will also be able to purchase the 'Clint Eastwood' Jam Track.

Of course, it wouldn't be a new Fortnite Festival season without a new Music Pass. The Season 10 Music Pass offers two outfits based on Gorillaz members: the Russel Outfit and Murdoc Outfit.

This is on top of a range of themed cosmetics on the 'On Melancholy Hill' Jam Track.

Some general improvements are also coming as part of the update, such as the addition of a 'Good' note when you're timing is just slightly off from 'Perfect'. You will be able to finally sort your music library by duration or intensity too, which is a very practical change.

You can read the full list of tweaks and learn more about this new season on the official Fortnite website.

You might also like...

• The six biggest announcements of Gamescom 2025 so far – from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally release date to a new Lego Batman game
• Fortnite OG Season 6 release date - here's when the next season comes out
• JBL launches new Quantum 950, 650, and 250 gaming headsets featuring pro-grade audio

• Epic has made its Easy Anti-Cheat tool compatible with Windows on Arm
• This means online games that use the tool work with Arm-based laptops
• That includes Fortnite, which is going to be one of the first games to implement this support for Snapdragon X (Arm) chips

If you've got a Copilot+ laptop with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X (Arm) processor that you also use for gaming duties, here's some great news: one of the biggest stumbling blocks for gamers on Arm has now been banished.

As Thurrott.com reports, Epic has made good on its promise to make its Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) tool compatible with Windows on Arm (the version of Microsoft's OS that's installed on Copilot+ PCs with Arm chips, as opposed to AMD or Intel silicon).

The move comes with the new version of the Epic Online Services SDK (for game developers) which now boasts EAC compatibility to offer "secure multiplayer experiences on Arm-based Windows 11 devices", as Epic notes.

EAC is used by some big-name online games to weed out problem players who are using various shady tricks or exploits, and the lack of compatibility with the anti-cheat system meant that those games didn't work at all on Arm-based laptops.

Said games include Epic's Fortnite among other online shooters (Apex Legends, PUBG, and more), as well as the likes of Elden Ring.

Analysis: the ball is now in the developers' court

Epic previously promised that it was going to make EAC work with Windows on Arm back in March 2025, and what we see here is the necessary work being implemented in the mentioned SDK (software development kit).

However, that isn't the end of this story – not quite. It's now up to game developers to incorporate the support in their titles, and Epic is going to be on the ball itself in that respect when it comes to bringing support to Fortnite.

A Qualcomm spokesperson told Thurrott.com: "Fortnite will be among the first titles to take advantage of this compatibility, bringing one of the world's most popular games to Snapdragon-powered laptops."

At any rate, support is going to filter through gradually to a number of games – hopefully quite swiftly – and this will remove one of the black marks in the 'against' column for Arm-based laptops.

Those devices running Snapdragon X chips can make a good enough effort at running even more demanding games – recall the early days of being impressed at these notebooks running Baldur's Gate 3 in 4K.

Being unable to play Easy Anti-Cheat games on these machines was a notable weakness, and particularly with Fortnite, given that this is a popular choice for laptop gamers (and not a demanding title), it was a shame to see it out of the grasp of those with Arm-based Copilot+ PCs – but that won't be the case for much longer.

You might also like...

• Microsoft promises to crack one of the biggest problems with Windows 11: slow performance
• No, Windows 11 PCs aren't 'up to 2.3x faster' than Windows 10 devices, as Microsoft suggests – here's why that's an outlandish claim
• Microsoft has all but given up on Windows 11 SE – and it looks like the war against Chromebooks has been lost

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 is out now, having launched earlier today (August 7, 2025). It features a Power Rangers collaboration and has new points of interest for players to explore. It's all now been fully released, so here's all of the details on what's changed, and my early impressions of the new update.

Epic Games has been busy teasing the next season of Fortnite over the last week or so, following a Superman-themed live event that completely wrecked Demon's Domain.

Personally, I've really enjoyed Fortnite Super, with a whole heap of super-powered weapons feeling great to use. Things have now switched over, however, with Halo skins instantly unlock able once you get the Battle Pass. In my opinion, the recent changes have absolutely been good enough to keep Fortnite in TechRadar's best free games list.

Here's TechRadar's coverage of the launch of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4, including info on the start time and what's changed in the Power Rangers update. Follow along live as I give my impressions of the new map.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 - cut to the chase

Only have time for the basics? Here are the most important things to know about Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4:

• Start date: August 7
• Theme: Shock 'N Awesome (Power Rangers vs Bad Bugs)
• Battle Pass: Halo Spartans, Bug-themed skins, Power Rangers
• Special Skin: Dino Megazord (September 16)

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 downtime

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 downtime triggered at the times below:

• East Coast (US): August 7 at 1:30AM ET
• West Coast (US): August 6 at 10:30AM PT
• United Kingdom: August 7 at 6:30AM BST
• Central Europe: August 7 at 7:30AM CEST
• Australia (Sydney): August 7 at 3:30PM AEST
• Japan (Tokyo): August 7 at 2:30PM JST

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 start time

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 launched at the times listed below:

• East Coast (US): 7:45AM ET
• West Coast (US): 4:45AM PT
• United Kingdom: 12:45PM BST
• Central Europe: 1:45PM CEST
• Australia (Sydney): 9:45PM AEST
• Japan (Tokyo): 8:45PM JST

What to expect from Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4

Epic Games has now fully revealed the next season of Fortnite. We know that Halo and Power Rangers-themed skins will be part of the new 'Shock 'N Awesome' Battle Pass, and I expect the story to follow on from the recent Fortnite Super Showdown live event. This saw a giant tentacled monster spawn in at Demon's Domain. Players took it down with the help of Superman, and now there are severed tentacles around the map.

Another tease appears on the Fortnite X account, showing a new unit called the OXR. This ties into the Bad Bug Invasion theme that's been teased elsewhere. New weapons and bug-themed skins are inbound, and it looks like Demon's Domain will be getting a makeover. Below, you can see the reveal of the Swarmstrike weapon.

Teaser images have featured the phrase "Shock 'N Awesome", which is now confirmed to be the series' main tagline. This points to bug-extermination weapons, and skins based on OXR units, as well as insectoid creatures. Power Rangers are a big part of the update, too, with a Megazord featured in the main promotional material. Here's the Fortnite blog post revealing everything for the new season.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 trailer

The cinematic trailer for Fortnite Shock 'N Awe is now here. It's a live-action showcase in the style of the Power Rangers TV show. We see the Rangers fighting alongside new characters (and Peely) against bug enemies. Below, you'll also find the full reveal trailer:

Fortnite new map

The new Fortnite map can be seen in the image above. There's four new POIs to enjoy: The Hive, Rangers Ruin, OXR HQ, and Swarmy Stash.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 live coverage as it happened

Hello and welcome

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 launches in less than a day, bringing bug battling action to the battle royale mode. I’ll be telling you everything you need to know in the build up to downtime, including a look at timings, Battle Pass skins, and more.

Bad bugs

The rumors were true! Fortnite’s next season sees a bug invasion coming to the island. Luckily, the Power Rangers are on the team to help, and they’re powered up with new weapons and the mighty Dino Megazord. There’s a new faction called the OXR on their way, with awesome grey and orange armor, and explosive weapons perfect for taking down bugs.

When does downtime start?

According to the Battle Pass, Fortnite Super downtime is expected at the following times:

• East Coast (US): August 7 at 1:30AM ET
• West Coast (US): August 6 at 10:30AM PT
• United Kingdom: August 7 at 6:30AM BST
• Central Europe: August 7 at 7:30AM CEST
• Australia (Sydney): August 7 at 3:30PM AEST
• Japan (Tokyo): August 7 at 2:30PM JST

New weapons inbound

We now know of three new weapons coming in the next season of Fortnite. The first is an OXR minigun, and then there’s the assault rifle pictured in the image above. In addition, there’s the Swarmstrike: a multi-rocket launcher that has laser targeting. Expect these to be part of the new loot pool when Shock ‘N Awesome arrives.

Power Rangers in all their live action glory

Epic Games has released a live action trailer for the Power Rangers collaboration coming next season. It’s filmed just like the TV show, with loads of backflips and sparking explosions as the Rangers join the fight. I absolutely love the care that’s been put into this, and as a ‘90s kid, it all really takes me back to toy commercials and cartoons I watched as a kid.

Full reveal trailer just dropped

We now have the full reveal trailer for Fortnite Shock 'N Awesome. We see Halo vehicles and skins, all new weapons, and a huge battle between a giant bug and the Dino Megazord. Check it out above.

Make the most of Fortnite Super

There’s a new quest following the events of the Fortnite Super Showdown live event that aired over the weekend (August 2). You’ll need to visit the tentacle outside Demon’s Domain. It’s bouncy too! You’ll want to make the most of the final hours of the current season, so focus on quests if you’re set on unlocking some of the later Battle Pass skins.

Unlock the Superman Outfit while you still can

There’s still time to unlock the Superman Outfit in Fortnite. It has a separate Battle Pass track, though it’s included with purchase of the main pass. You just need to earn levels while playing, and eventually you’ll get the Superman skin pictured above.

Supernova Academy Quests are easy to complete

If you’re looking for a way to earn a bunch of XP before the next season, consider working through the Supernova Academy quests. They mostly involve visiting different locations, speaking to NPCs, and using superhero weapons. You can also visit Midas around the map for some easy XP.

New Battle Pass skins

The new Battle Pass skins can be viewed in the image above. There's the White Ranger, a Spartan, a Panda with a katana made from Bamboo, and an OXR officer. Looks like the White/Green Ranger will be the highest tier unlock, and then we'll see a Dino Megazord skin in September.

New map fully revealed

Looks like we're getting four new POIs with the new map: Swarmy Stash, OXR HQ, Rangers Ruin, and The Hive. You'll be able to head to The Hive if you want to battle swarms of bugs, or land at OXR HQ to purchase weapons in exchange for Gold.

An Iconic Power Rangers weapon

The Blade Blaster will arrive mid-season, giving players a new sidearm that fires lasers, and can be charged for more powerful damage blasts. This one will likely launch alongside the Megazord in mid-September, but we'll have to wait for an official release date announcement.

That's all for today

Goodbye for now. I'll be back on just before downtime kicks in, covering Epic Games taking Fortnite offline, and updating once it's all ready to play. Once Chapter 6 Season 4 is here, you'll be able to follow along live as I give early impressions of the new season.

Welcome back

I'm here to cover the launch of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4. The game is now in downtime, so we'll need to wait a bit until things are switched back on. Once they are, you can follow along live as I give my early impressions of the new season.

Downtime has just started

Fortnite just went into downtime, with matchmaking now disabled for all players. I'd expect it to last 2-3 hours, though in the past this has varied a bit. Stay tuned for updates on when the game is back online.

You won't need the Battle Pass to unlock the Halo skin

Players who reach Level 100 will be able to unlock the UNSC Spartan skin for free, without needing to purchase the Battle Pass. This can be done from August 26.

You can pre-load the new season

Fortnite can be updated while you wait for downtime to end. You'll want to do so, given that it's a pretty big download, especially on PC. On PS5, my update file size was 27.413GB, so make sure to check on your chosen platform, so you can be ready for when servers re-open.

First look at the Green Ranger

Epic Games has shared an image of the Green Ranger skin that's included in the Fortnite Battle Pass. Other Power Rangers will be added as skins via the Store, and the White Ranger is in the Pass also.

New bug medallions

There's three new medallions to track down in Fortnite Battle Royale:

• Defeat the Queen at The Hive to receive the Mythic Enhanced Wrecker Revolver and Surge Medallion, which increases movement speed and gives a burst of speed when sliding.
• Defeat the Queen at Ranger’s Ruin to receive the Mythic Tactical Shotgun and Springleg Medallion, which gives you the ability to double jump, with fall damage immunity.
• Defeat the Queen at Demon’s Domain to receive the Mythic O.X.R. Assault Rifle and Carapace Medallion which gives 50 Health when you eliminate an opponent, and passively gives 3 Shield per second up to 50 Shield.

Queen bugs are taller than buildings

Queen bugs are the largest Fortnite enemy we've seen for a while, some taller than buildings. They'll spawn after you've taken down a bug nest, and will continuously summon smaller bugs to fight you until you take down the Queen.

Fortnite is still down

We're now a little over an hour into Fortnite downtime. I'd expect another hour at least, so stay tuned for updates.

Fortnite "servers not responding" error

Once you've downloaded the latest Fortnite update, you'll be able to load up the game. Unfortunately, you'll be greeted with the "servers not responding" error message. This is totally normal, and just a sign that the game is now in downtime. It started 90 minutes ago, so hopefully we don't have too long to wait now.

Brand new Exotic weapons to try out

There's a bunch of new exotic weapons to find on the new Fortnite map. Here's what's available:

• Eradicator O.X.R. Rifle: After successfully hitting an enemy, its damage ramps up with subsequent successful hits.
• Double Trouble: Two shotguns that can be double-pumped (swapped between with no delay).
• Shock n’ Slow Shockwave Launcher: Lobs Shockwave Grenades that cause a slowdown effect mid-air to both enemies and allies.
• Marksman Wrecker Revolver: Wrecker Revolver but with a higher hip fire rate and headshot multiplier.
• Exotic Slap Berry Fizz: Flowberry Fizz that also grants Slap.

Two hours into downtime. When is Fortnite coming back online?

We're now two hours into downtime. In the last couple of seasons, downtime has lasted 2-3 hours. This means that the game could go live any minute. I'll update once it does.

Roly Poly movement

The Roly Poly item will be added midseason, allowing players to roll and bounce around the map. This will be a major upgrade to movement, especially useful in Zero Build modes.

Welcome to the O.X.R

Every player will have an OXR rank this season. It can be increased during a match to grant access to better and better gear, much like the Supernova ranking from last season. Once you rank up, a drop pod will be sent to your location.

Game services are still "under maintenance"

I'm keeping an eye on the Fortnite server status, and things are very much still under maintenance. You can see this in the screenshot above. It shouldn't be too long until things are back online, however.

Head to OXR HQ to purchase weapons

OXR HQ is a new map POI in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4. It's where you'll find the new faction, who will sell you weapons in exchange for Gold bars. Could be a good drop spot.

That's three hours of downtime

Fortnite has now been in downtime for three hours. It's looking like maintenance may take a little longer than we expected. Keep this page handy, as I'll update as soon as the game is back online.

Fortnite OG map revealed

Fortnite OG is also getting a new Season this week. Tomorrow, players will be able to jump into Season 5 tomorrow, and we've now seen the new map.

Dino Megazord skin releases next month

The Dino Megazord skin won't be available once Fortnite Shock 'N Awesome launches later today. Instead, it'll arrive on September 16, and can be earned by completing Quests.

That's four hours of downtime!

We just reached four hours of downtime, it's looking like it'll be a long one. On the server status page, downtime is now estimated at five hours on the longer end. So hopefully not too long to go.

All Power Rangers skins

As you can see in the image above, the Red Ranger, Blue Ranger, Pink Ranger, Yellow Ranger and the Black Ranger will be available as skins in Fortnite. These will be added to the store, while the Green Ranger and the White Ranger can be earned via the Battle Pass.

Free Back Bling with any store purchase

Make any purchase in the Fortnite web Item Shop during Chapter 6 Season 4 and you’ll instantly receive the Goldskull Peel Pack Back Bling! You can check it out in the image above.

Has downtime ended?

Fortnite is still under maintenance, and has been for the last five hours. By my estimates, we should be minutes away from the game going back online. This is based on the estimate currently shown on the Fortnite server status webpage. Hopefully we'll be able to jump into the new season sooner rather than later.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 servers are still offline

The new season of Fortnite is still under maintenance. I'm keeping my eyes locked to the Fortnite Status X account for updates, as we've now blown past the estimated time for the new season.

Fortnite severs are back online!

The new season of Fortnite is now live. You can jump in to check out the Battle Pass, and then visit the new map locations. I'll be heading to The Hive to see how the new bug enemies are.

The Battle Pass is live

You can now purchase the Battle Pass and get to work unlocking skins and other items. There's a bunch of new Quests to help you get some XP early as well.

Ranger's Ruin is a great drop spot

My first landing was at Ranger's Ruin. There were bug nests to destroy, and then a Queen boss fight. I had to clear out a few players, but at the end of it all I had a very good loadout indeed. This included a Legendary Sweeper Shotgun.

That's all from me!

I've now played a few games of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4. I'm really enjoying the new weapons, especially the giant minigun, which is great for shredding vehicles. Hopefully, the new Roly Poly item arrives soon, as more movement options would be great. Bye for now!

Super Showdown was the Fortnite live event happening in the main battle royale mode. It aired earlier today (August 2), and involved Superman leading players in a climactic fight against a gigantic foe.

The next Season of Fortnite arrives next week, so hopefully today's event will give us some idea as to what'll be involved in the next major update. It's regular changes like these that consistently keep Fortnite ranked highly in our best PC games list.

I've now played hundreds of hours of Fortnite Chapter 6, from the month-long Star Wars mini-season, and into the superhero shenanigans of Fortnite Super. I'm excited to be covering the Fortnite Super Showdown event live, and will be now giving my impressions following the show's epic conclusion.

Here's everything you need to know about Fortnite Super Showdown. Now that it's over, I'll be giving my thoughts on what worked, and what could have been better. Let's get started.

Fortnite Super Showdown live event start time

The Fortnite Super Showdown live event started August 2 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT / 7:30pm BST. Players could load in once doors opened at the times below:

• East Coast (US): 2PM ET
• West Coast (US): 11AM PT
• United Kingdom: 7PM BST
• Central Europe: 8PM CEST
• Sydney (Australia): 4AM AEST, August 3
• Tokyo (Japan): 3AM JST, August 3

How to join the Fortnite live event

You'll need to jump into the main Fortnite playlist at the times specified above if you'd like to join Super Showdown live. Alternatively, you could follow along with your streamer of choice, as many will no doubt be covering the event.

I'll be jumping into the event to live blog it as it unfolds, so be sure to check back in with this page if you can't jump into the game when the event is actually happening. Unfortunately, Epic Games doesn't stream Fortnite events on its official channels.

What to expect from Fortnite Super Showdown

Epic Games has only released one short teaser trailer for Super Showdown. It shows Demon's Domain being destroyed by pink and red electricity, and red energy fields that look suspiciously like those we saw at the end of the recent Fortnite OG rocket launch event. Then, we see a huge eye attached to what looks to be a giant tentacle.

We do know that Superman will return to fight whatever this huge tentacled foe is, and that players will head to Demon's Domain to provide support. To me, that certainly looks to be a kraken-like creature, so it could be that Superman is set for quite the battle during the event.

Live coverage as it happened

Hello and welcome

We’re now just two hours away from the start of Fortnite Super Showdown. I’ll be covering the build up live, providing all of the info you need on the upcoming superpowered event. Once doors open, I’ll be jumping in, and then you can follow along as the main show plays out.

When does the Super Showdown start?

Fortnite Super Showdown kicks off at 2:30PM ET / 11:30AM PT / 7:30PM BST. It’s recommended that you jump online and into Fortnite when doors open 15 minutes prior. Servers will fill up fast, so be sure to secure your spot.

Where we dropping?

You’ll want to drop into Demon’s Domain to witness Fortnite Super Showdown. It’s likely that there will be a safe zone in effect, meaning damage will be switched off. This means you’ll be able to stay safe, secure your view, and get ready for the action to start.

Look up!

Superman will be the main star of Super Showdown, though we don’t have the full details just yet. Seeing as there’s a gigantic tentacled enemy to take down, I’m definitely happy to have Supes on the team.

Just 90 minutes until doors open

Doors for Fortnite Super Showdown open at 2PM ET / 11AM PT / 7PM BST. Make sure to load in, make sure your game is updated, and secure your spot in the matchmaking queue. It’s likely to be a busy one.

Is that a kraken?

Epic Games released a short teaser trailer for Fortnite Super Showdown earlier this week. It ends with a look at a gigantic enemy with eyes fixed to big purple tentacles. Could this be a kraken? We’ll have to wait and see.

Demon’s Domain will be taking a hit

You can check out the Super Showdown teaser trailer embedded above. Looks like a big purple laser is going to hit Demon’s Domain, destroying one of the main buildings. This is likely related to the arrival of the giant enemy we’ll be fighting, and could give a hint as to what’s to follow next season.

Just one hour until Fortnite Super Showdown

There’s just one hour to go before Fortnite Super Showdown begins! You’ll be able to jump in fifteen minutes prior, when servers go live. We don’t yet know how long the event will be, but generally they’re around ten minutes.

My hopes and predictions

It’s clear to me that Super Showdown is primarily going to be a Superman story event. We’ll likely see Superman fighting a large enemy, as players battle smaller creatures, and shoot weak points on the large tentacles shown in the teaser. I’m hoping to see Demon’s Domain change in some way after the battle, perhaps setting the scene for the arrival of Chapter 6 Season 4.

You’ll be able to load into the Fortnite live event in 15 minutes

We’re just 15 minutes away from the Fortnite Super Showdown doors opening. Make sure you’ve downloaded the latest update, and keep an eye on the main Battle Royale channels for when things switch over.

Doors are open!

You can now join the Fortnite live event. Just head to the main homepage and look for your main battle royale mode of choice. Jump into the lobby and load in. You’ll be aiming for Demon’s Domain to enjoy the show.

Respawns are active around Demon's Domain

Head to the pink barriers around Demon's Domain, and you'll find floating red orbs that drop loot. There's a safe zone of sorts, though I've found that I can damage some players. Don't worry though, respawns are in effect, so you won't get eliminated if you're killed.

Five minutes until Super Showdown

It's just five minutes until the start of the event. Make sure to load in now and get to Demon's Domain if you want to join live.

And we're off!

Super Showdown has started, and it's all kicking off at Demon's Domain. There's a ton of loot to pick up, so make sure to get yourself well stocked for the battle ahead. Daigo has arrived, and has triggered a huge portal.

A comic book strip

A comic book strip is now playing out in a cutscene, as we all fight a huge tentacle.

It's gonna take everyone working together to take down the monster

The enemy has a huge life bar, even with everyone shooting at it, it's gonna be tough to take down.

That's the first tentacle down

We've taken down the first tentacle, and all is now quiet in Demon's Domain. Looks like the rest of the monster is about to appear any second.

Superman joins the fight

Superman has swooped in to cut away more tentacles. Looks like the monster will be defeated in no time.

The event is now over

Looks like Super Showdown is over. There's now a tentacle that you can visit on the map, just outside Demon's Domain. It's bouncy too.

So, what did you think?

Super Showdown ended up being pretty much what I expected from a midseason Fortnite event. The pre-event lobby could have been better, as the only thing to do while waiting was shoot at red orbs. Still, it's always cool to face off against a giant monster with the rest of the players, and the comic book effects looked great in the cutscenes.

That's all folks!

That concludes my live coverage of Fortnite Super Showdown. It was a fun time, and probably the last we'll see of Superman for a while. We don't have long until the launch of the next Season, so until then, have fun with the rest of Fortnite Super!

• Fortnite's Super Showdown event officially kicks off on August 2, 2025
• The Chapter 6 Season 3 finale event will star Superman against a mysterious foe
• The live event takes place a few days before the current season ends on August 8, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 is almost at an end, but players can still look forward to the Super Showdown finale event that will take place just a few days before the season officially comes to a close.

Epic Games has confirmed that Super Showdown will begin on August 2, 2025, at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT (August 1) / 7:30pm BST. However, doors officially open 2pm ET / 11:00am PT (August 1) / 7pm BST, giving players enough time to jump in early before the finale kicks off.

We don't know the specifics of the event yet, but the teaser trailer reveals an upcoming battle that will star Superman against a mysterious kraken-like monster that has tentacles and multiple eyes. We also know that it will take place at Demon's Domain.

Super Showdown will be a live event, which means it will be a one-time, exclusive Fortnite experience. You won't want to miss it.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 officially ends on August 8, though Chapter 6 Season 4 has yet to receive a release date.

Recently, Fortnite kicked off the Fantastic Four Cup, a Battle Royale Squads competition, featuring earnable skins and other goodies inspired by the MCU's latest superhero film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The event began on July 23, giving players the chance to climb the leaderboards and get their hands on limited-time Outfits based on Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing.

The same skins later became available in the game's Item Shop on July 25.

• Best free games 2025: gaming fun at no extra cost
• The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomical
• Battlefield 6 gets an action-packed first look along with a promise of a multiplayer showcase next week, as new leaks claim the game will launch in October

Fortnite is running the Super Showdown event later this week (August 2), and so far we know that it'll involve Superman in a big way. This is the latest in a string of live events that've been airing in Fortnite this year, and I'm expecting it to lead nicely into Season 4.

We're currently in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, a superhero-themed affair that adds super-powered items and a completely new ranking system. The next season of Fortnite is just around the corner, however, so the game will be getting a big refresh very soon indeed. It's regular updates like these that have kept Fortnite firmly ranked in our best free games to play in 2025 list.

Here's what you need to know about Fortnite Super Showdown, including the start time and how to watch it on the day. It's a live Story Event, and it's set to be a Superman-led battle against a gigantic foe. Let's dive in.

Fortnite Super Showdown - cut to the chase

• Start time: August 2 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT (August 1) / 7:30pm BST
• Doors open: August 2 at 2pm ET / 11:00am PT (August 1) / 7pm BST
• Summary: Superman Story Event in Battle Royale

Fortnite Super Showdown event start time

Fortnite Super Showdown will start on August 2 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT (August 1) / 7:30m BST. Doors will open half an hour prior, and it's recommended that you jump in at the following times to secure your place:

• East Coast US: 2pm ET (August 2)
• West Coast US: 11am PT (August 1)
• UK time: 7pm BST (August 2)

Fortnite Super Showdown - how to watch it live

Fortnite Super Showdown is a live event that'll begin at the times specified earlier in this article. If you want to watch it live, you can jump in yourself, and there will likely be a safe zone around Demon's Domain where players won't be able to eliminate each other.

If you can't log in yourself, TechRadar Gaming will be covering the event as part of a live blog (as we did recently with the Fortnite OG rocket launch). I'll be giving my impressions as they happen, and providing up-to-date info on how the event is unfolding. You can also join your Twitch or YouTube streamer of choice, as there'll no doubt be many streaming the event. Note that Epic Games doesn't broadcast these events live on its official channels.

Fortnite Super Showdown teaser trailer

The Fortnite X channel tweeted out a teaser trailer for the upcoming Super Showdown event (embedded above). In it, we see the eye of a giant creature, which many believe to be a kraken. Then, the current map is shown with Demon's Domain highlighted as the main location for the event.

Fortnite Super Showdown Story Event - what to expect

Fortnite Super Showdown will feature a giant battle between Superman and an as-yet unrevealed foe. We know that it's a huge enemy with a big white eye, and many fans are predicting it to be a kraken. Other than that, we know that it'll all take place in Demon's Domain and will likely give some teases as to what's coming next in Chapter 6.

Epic Games will probably reveal more closer to launch, and once it does, I'll be sure to update this page.

You Might Also Like...

• Our picks for the best PC games to play in 2025
• Fortnite Chapter 4 review
• Best crossplay games

Fortnite OG ran its first ever live event earlier today (July 26, 2025). It was a recreation of the rocket launch that happened all the way back in 2018, which culminated in the first appearance of the crack in the sky that has now become a mainstay of the game.

Now that Fortnite OG is a permanent mode, we can look forward to a new Fortnite OG season launching in early August. Before then, there's regular updates that add new weapons into the loot pool. So far, this season has really switched things up, and it's been a real treat to revisit Risky Reels and Dusty Divot. It's changes like these that have kept Fortnite well and truly cemented as one of the best free games to play in 2025.

Here's TechRadar Gaming's coverage of the Fortnite OG rocket launch live event as it happened. Now that the rocket launch is over, I'll be giving my impressions of what to expect from the end of Season 4.

Fortnite OG Blast Off live event start time

Fortnite OG's Blast Off live event took place on July 26 at 2pm ET / 11am PT / 7pm BST. Players could load into a match twenty minutes prior to the event, and wait with damage and storm circles deactivated.

Fortnite OG Blast Off event duration

The original rocket launch event in Fortnite only lasted a few minutes, and the redo was no different. This was par for the course in older seasons of Fortnite.

How to watch the Fortnite OG rocket launch event

To watch the Fortnite OG rocket launch event, make sure to load into the game 30 minutes before the specified start time. Select Fortnite OG and wait for the event to start.

It's possible that there may be a separate playlist, which will go live prior to the event. Then, you just need to sit back and find a place to watch.

With the rocket launch, you'll be able to look up into the skies to see the rocket get intercepted. Last time, you were given a sort of floating drone view of things, so shouldn't have to worry about missing anything.

Live coverage as it happened

Let's launch a rocket!

Hello and welcome to my live coverage of Fortnite OG's Blast Off event. I'll be giving my impressions as the event happens, detailing the event that starts in just over an hour.

Here's the key info

Fortnite OG will air its first ever live event at 2pm ET / 11am PT / 7pm BST. It's a recreation of the rocket launch that happened back in 2018, and we should see the spacefaring craft get intercepted and thrown through multiple rifts.

How to watch the rocket launch

You'll be able to jump into Fortnite OG and watch the rocket launch live. Make sure you get in a little early, I'd recommend half an hour, just to make sure you get your place in the queue.

Blast Off event - Live Soon

If you head into Fortnite OG now, you'll see a pop up message indicating that the Blast Off event will soon go live. We'll have to wait and see whether there's a separate playlist, or if the event will just naturally trigger during matches.

You can still play Fortnite OG while you wait

Fortnite OG won't be experiencing any downtime around the rocket launch, so you can still hop in and play. We're currently on Season 4

Just 45 minutes to go!

The Fortnite OG Blast Off event will begin in just 45 minutes. Make sure your game is updated to the latest version, and select a Fortnite OG playlist to get entry into a match once the show starts.

Fortnite original rocket launch

The original rocket launch happened in Fortnite during Season 4. This was the season that ran in 2018, so it's been a while since players were able to witness the now iconic event.

Last time, the rocket launched, and players could watch it climb up high into the skies above the island. Then, a transmission from The Visitor played out, and the rocket was intercepted. The rocket travelled through multiple rift portals before leaving a huge crack in the sky.

20 minutes to go!

Fortnite OG's Blast Off rocket launch will start in 20 minutes. I'll be jumping into a match 15 minutes beforehand to see if there's a safe zone of any kind. Stay tuned!

Matchmaking Error (#1)

It seems Fortnite OG servers are currently overloaded, as players are being greeted with a Matchmaking Error (#1) message. Keep trying to load in, hopefully servers will be opened up closer to the event. I had the error previously, but got in eventually, so keep trying!

Damage has been turned off

It seems as if the storm circle and player damage have been turned off for the event. You won't have to worry about surviving long enough to see the rocket launch then.

Just 1 minute to go!

Get yourself a good view of the rocket launch. Sit back, and enjoy the show!

We have liftoff!

The rocket has launched, and is now soaring up towards space. We'll have to see whether The Visitor interferes this time around.

The final rift is red this time around!

It appears that the Blast Off event played out precisely as before, except for one key detail. The crack that appeared in the sky at the end is red this time, rather than blue. We'll have to see what this means, but it's clear that Epic Games has some tricks up its sleeves.

A red butterfly

Just before the rocket launch, I saw a red butterfly appear and circle around my character. This matches the color of the rift crack that appeared at the end of the event.

So, what's next?

Fortnite OG Season 4 still lasts until August 8, 2025. If things follow the pattern of the original run, we'll start to see rifts appearing around the island, in the aftermath of the Blast Off event. These rifts will pull objects out of the island and replace them with objects from other worlds. This all leads into Season 5, which will have the theme of "Worlds Collide".

Looks like the crack in the sky is here to stay

In my matches following the Blast Off event, I've seen the red crack permanently in the sky. This will stick around til Season 5 at the very least. Hopefully we'll find out why it's red sooner rather than later.

That's all for now

That concludes TechRadar Gaming's live coverage of the Fortnite OG rocket launch event. I'm now setting my sights on August 8, 2025, which will see Fortnite OG Season 5 launch. The main battle royale mode will be switching seasons too, and I'm excited to see what's next for Fortnite. Bye for now!

• The next Fortnite collaboration adds a collection inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps
• New outfits will be added to the Item Shop on July 25, but can be obtained by competing in the Fantastic Four Cup on July 23
• Outfits, emotes, and sprays inspired by Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing will be available

Epic Games has announced that the next Fortnite crossover will be in collaboration with the MCU's The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

A collection of goodies inspired by The Fantastic Four will arrive in the game's Item Shop just in time for the movie's release on July 25, 2025, including limited-time Outfits based on Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing.

Players will also have the opportunity to unlock all four in the Fantastic Four Cup, a Battle Royale Squads Cup, which is taking place on July 23.

"Show off your superhuman skills by being among the top points-earning squads in your region. If you do, you'll unlock the Outfits for the Human Torch, The Thing, Mister Fantastic, and Invisible Woman," Epic Games said.

During the Fantastic Four Cup, you can also unlock the 'It's Clobberin' Time Spray' by surviving 60 minutes in the match, and the 'Flame On!' emoticon by surviving 120 minutes.

In addition, the top points-earning squads will unlock all four Outfits, including Johnny Storm, which comes with his built-in 'Flame On!' emote, allowing him to transform into his alternative Style, the Human Torch. Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, will also have an alt style.

The Johnny Storm Outfit also comes with the Torch's Flame Pickaxe, Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, comes with the Fantastic Fists Pickaxe, and comes with the 'Fantastic Calculations' emote, while Sue Storm, aka Invisible Woman, will have a built-in Psionic Orbs Pickaxe.

During the Fantastic Four Cup on July 23, competitors can play up to ten matches within their region's three-hour time window. The specific event timing for each region can be found in the 'Compete' tab in-game.

For scoring and match placement details, you can check out the official Fantastic Four Cup rules.

You might also like...

• Best free games 2025: gaming fun at no extra cost
• The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomical
• I’ve spent 150 hours with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Switch 2 Edition is an incredible upgrade