Fortnite
The latest Fortnite news and reviews on the online game developed by Epic Games.
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Epic uses a free 'Fortnite' dance to encourage two-factor authentication
As Fortnite's popularity has grown, player's accounts have become targets for attackers who want to steal access and run up fake charges. One way to combat this is by enabling two-factor authentication that requires a generated code or emailed link for login in addition to the user's password, but as we've seen on other services, not everyone turns it on. Epic Games has a solution though, by offering a free emote to players who enable two-factor on their accounts.
‘Fortnite’ update adds Rifts-To-Go item
After some short downtime for server maintenance, Fortnite is back online and its v5.30 patch is live, bringing with it some cool new features and a bunch of bug fixes that'll make gameplay smoother and (possibly) less rage inducing. First up is Rifts-To-Go. Rifts were introduced last month as quick sky-bound escape routes from enemy squads -- now you can use them yourself as and when you need them, without having to find one.
'Fortnite' Android beta invitations open to non-Samsung devices
Samsung's Fortnite mini exclusive didn't last quite as long as expected. The 9to5Google team has noticed that, as promised, you can both sign up for an invitation and pre-install the beta directly through Epic's website. You'll still have to wait for Epic to let you in, but you'll be ready to play the battle royale shooter as soon as that golden message reaches your inbox.
'Fortnite' is now available on Samsung Galaxy phones
The wildly popular game Fortnite came out for iOS back in April, leaving Android users eagerly awaiting its eventual release on the other mobile operating system. But rumors in the past couple weeks hinted that the game might debut on Samsung phones, and its app store, first. Those whispers were true: At today's Unpacked event, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney himself announced that the popular battle royale title is available in beta right now on its Galaxy phones. But that exclusive only lasts until the wider Android release coming August 12th, according to Android Central.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 is bigger and more powerful than ever
After more than a few leaks (including from Samsung itself), the Galaxy Note 9 is finally official. Samsung's new flagship is an evolution of the Note 8 that promises to "never slow you down or let you down," according to the company. It touts a slightly larger 6.4-inch end-to-end 2,960 x 1,440 screen, a 4,000mAh battery that promises "all-day" use and a minimum 128GB of storage -- there's also a 512GB version that, with 512GB microSD cards, can give you a full terabyte of space. Samsung is also bringing over welcome improvements from the Galaxy S9 family, including stereo speakers and the variable aperture f/1.5-2.4 12-megapixel primary camera (there's a second 12-megapixel camera on the back, of course). This year, though, the most conspicuous change revolves around the S Pen.
'Fortnite' for Android may launch on Samsung's app store
Global gaming phenomenon Fortnite is coming to the Android platform sometime this summer, but Epic said it wouldn't show up in the Google Play store. Now, there's evidence of how it will be distributed: Newly leaked code seems to show that 'Fortnite' will be available on Samsung's app store. This lends more credence to reports that the game will be a Samsung exclusive. In addition, the just-released Galaxy Tab S4 may be able to run the game along with upcoming Galaxy Note 9.
‘Fortnite’ streamer Ninja is the first to 10 million Twitch followers
As Fortnite has taken over the zeitgeist, its high tide gave rise to someone else: Tyler "Ninja" Blevins. The streamer has more or less become the unofficial face for the game, appearing in tournaments, racking up sponsorship deals, playing Epic Games' free-to-play cultural phenomenon alongside celebrities. He makes $500,000 a month from streaming. Blevins also crossed a major threshold: He's the first to tally 10 million followers on Twitch, as spotted by Dexerto. This didn't happen overnight, though.
'Fortnite' will skip the Play Store for its Android release
After Fortnite came out for iOS in April and Switch in June, there was only one leading platform it hadn't come out on. Soon, that will be rectified: The wildly successful battle royale game will be available on Android sometime this summer. But you won't find it in the Play Store -- instead, you'll have to visit the Fortnite website to grab the launcher, which will download the game.
Video games and ASMR: The science of pop-culture tingles
She speaks in a low, patient whisper punctuated by a wide smile, her face inches away from the camera. Her voice is soothing and her eyes are warm. "Let me give you this shield potion," she says, reaching out of frame. "I only have one of them, all right, so you can have it." She pulls out a squat mason jar filled with baby-blue liquid, a blue ribbon tied around the top. She taps the sides of the glass with her fingernails and continues whispering, talking about all the items she found after gliding onto the battlefield a few minutes ago. She doesn't have any guns, but she picked up a lot of healing items. She hands the mason jar to the viewer behind the camera and the scene changes -- she looks excited, eyes wide, but she's still whispering.
'Fortnite' update adds explosives-only mode, revives guided missiles
As promised, Fortnite has its guided missile back... plus something extra. Epic has released a 5.10 update that reintroduces the missile in a toned-down version (that is, slower and less powerful), but also introduces a limited time Fly Explosives mode to spice things up. You can only find explosive weapons in this mode -- the key to survival is finding jetpacks, which have been tweaked to keep you in the air for longer. If you're not raining death from above, you probably won't last long.
'Fortnite' will bring back guided missiles in a softer, gentler form
Fortnite's guided missile certainly had its moments, but Epic dropped it with an April patch for a reason -- it was so powerful (and ammo so plentiful) that you could make life a living hell for anyone who wasn't an immediate threat. Flash forward a few months and Epic is ready to bring the weapon back... albeit not as you knew it. Epic has revealed in a developer update,that the guided missile will come back to battle royale mode, but that it's now meant as more of a "scouting tool" than a game-deciding weapon.
Galaxy Note 9 might be the first place you play ‘Fortnite’ on Android
The world's biggest game could be exclusive to Samsung's Galaxy Note 9. Both 9to5Google and XDA Developers have independent sources claiming that Fortnite will be a 30-day exclusive to Samsung's upcoming phablet, with other Android devices getting it later. XDA Developers even goes so far as to say the phone's launch video will be based around developer Epic Games' free-to-play shooter, and that the game will come pre-installed on the handset. There are rumors that the new Bluetooth Smart S Pen will be integrated into play somehow. A certain blue-haired streamer might even be involved. Oh, and if you're a Samsung DeX fan, this will apparently work with that too.
Epic quickly nerfs the new 'Fortnite' SMG after complaints
The v5.10 Fortnite update that brought back our beloved Playground mode also added something else -- this new gun. Unfortunately, the "high capacity, fast firing Compact SMG" was just a little too overpowered, and many high-profile players quickly complained that it made the game a race to get the SMG so one could chew through their enemies (and their buildings, as the starting and max health of many materials dropped at the same time). While Epic has been up front about wanting to make the endgame more exciting and less focused on build-offs as it pushes for esports viability, this particular tweak may have gone too far. As a result, the company quickly lowered the accuracy, range and damage done by the new gun and existing SMGs. Check below for the (now-live) adjusted SMG values, and a few clips of the gun at work as it existed prior to the nerf.
'Fortnite' Playground mode returns on July 25th
Don't worry if you're still suffering from withdrawal symptoms while Epic retools Fortnite's Playground mode -- its return is just around the corner. The developer has confirmed that its sandbox-like option is coming back on July 25th, complete with the promised team selection options. You'll find more details in the notes for the upcoming 5.10 update.
‘Fortnite’ Funko Pop! toys will be here for the holidays
Fans of Funko's squat, wide-eyed Pop! figurines have a surprise headed their way: A line is incoming based on the popular game Fortnite. Epic Games has partnered with the toy company to release a smattering of figures, collectibles and apparel that should end up on store shelves by the holiday 2018 season.
Even the World Cup couldn't escape the 'Fortnite' fever
Now that England is out of the 2018 World Cup, there's one thing we're really going to miss about its team: The goal celebrations from midfielders Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard. While professional athletes creatively expressing themselves after scoring is nothing new, these guys stood out because their quirky moves were inspired by none other than Fortnite. Best of all, they did it at the world's biggest sporting event. Fortnite's mark on the World Cup in Russia is just the latest example of how inescapable the Epic Games' survival title is.
'Fortnite' season five adds a desert locale, golf carts and rifts
Fortnite players, the event you've been waiting for is finally here. Epic Games has officially kicked off the battle royale shooter's fifth season, offering a whole host of new locations, weapons, vehicles and mechanics. After teasing a historical theme at the end of Season 4, today's update delivers viking ships, sandy outposts (goodbye Moisty Mire), ancient statues and plenty of skins to do them justice.
The next big 'Fortnite' eSports event is an $8 million, 8-week tourney
Epic's Fortnite eSports initiatives are continuing beyond the recent Pro-Am charity tournament. The studio has unveiled a Summer Skirmish series that will hand out $8 million in prizes across eight weeks' worth of competitions, starting with a $250,000 Duos bout this weekend. Just don't expect to jump in -- Epic is choosing players who are either "community creators" (read: streamers) and skilled players, and it has already invited competitors for the first rounds of play. If there are open events, you'll have to wait.
'Fortnite’s' Playground mode could be a cash cow
The wildly popular title Fortnite introduced its practice Playground mode at the beginning of last week, and despite being a big hit, Epic announced that it will be shut down on July 12th. But don't fret. The game's developers confirmed that they're working on an improved version with added functionality. In their words, this was a "first step into what a full creative mode looks like in Fortnite." That could end up being a simple free-form tutorial. But Epic Games would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to turn it into a full third mode in the game's universe, alongside its co-op Save the World and solo Battle Royale. Players are making lots of cool stuff, so why not establish a marketplace where they can sell their creations to one another?
'Fortnite' Playground mode has one more week to live
It's no secret that we love Fortnite's 4-player "Playground" mode. Whether you just need a bit of training or want to experiment with the game's features in creative ways, after a delayed launch, it's there for you -- at least for another week. Epic posted on Reddit today that the Limited Time Mode will shut down on July 12th "as we take it back under construction for the next version."
