UPDATE: Fortnite developer Epic Games has released update 30.20 on PC and consoles. The new update introduces a crossover with Pirates of the Caribbean, adding Jack Sparrow and a selection of items to the item shop. Update 30.20 also adds Fortnite Reload, which will be available from 7pm BST in the UK later today. The mode sees ten teams of four each attempt to become the last team standing. Epic explains more: “When eliminated, a player’s individual cooldown timer starts. The player restarts at the end of the timer! Cooldown timers start at 30 seconds and increase up to 40 seconds later in the match. Remaining teammates can reduce cooldown timers by 2 seconds by knocking down an opponent, 4 seconds by eliminating one, and 10 seconds by wiping out an opposing team stop, meaning lost teammates won’t return.” In addition to the aforementioned additions, Epic has made a balance adjustment to reduce the amount of damage Nitro Shoulder Bash does to structures while Sprinting.
ORIGINAL: Fortnite fans are counting down to the release of the biggest update of the season. In a pleasant and unexpected surprise, Epic Games has announced plans to release a new weekend update. Fortnite update 30.20 has a release date of June 22 on PS5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Android. With the next update adding a new game mode called Fortnite OG Reload, Epic is planning to release the update along with an extended server downtime period. The Fortnite servers will be taken offline for maintenance at 6am UK BST on Saturday morning. Matchmaking will go down around 5:30am, with servers expected to come back online around 10:00am BST.
The news was announced by Epic Games at X, along with information about new tournament schedules.
“The blackout time for v30.20 begins at 1:00am ET with matchmaking ending shortly before,” an Epic Games post said.
“Due to the downtime, we have made the following tournament schedule changes: Earlier start times for the OCE Ranked Cups and Asia & Solo Zero Ranked Cup Build. OCE FNCS Major 3 Open Start Time Qualifier 2 with one hour.”
As for Fortnite OG Reload, the upcoming game mode brings back a ton of classic locations from Chapter 1.
As you can see from the trailer below, this includes Tilted Towers, Pleasant Park, Retail Row, Lil’ Loot Lake, Sandy Sheets and Lazy Laps.
Judging from the teaser, the OG Reload battlefield is smaller than the current map, which should result in faster-paced games, perhaps with fewer participants.
In addition to the launch of Fortnite Reload, the new update is expected to contain files for the upcoming summer event.
The annual summer event usually kicks off in time for the 4th of July celebrations in the US.
It adds limited-time items like fireworks, firearms, and ice cream cones, while adding new POIs to explore.
There is usually a set of exclusive challenges, complete with a number of special bonus rewards from the Battle Pass.
Speaking of the Battle Pass, Fortnite update 30.20 is expected to add Magneto to the Battle Pass, complete with a new set of challenges.
New items are supposed to include the Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle, while new skins will likely include characters from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Needless to say, update 30.20 will also make a selection of bug fixes and gameplay changes, which you can see below.
Fortnite Update 30.20 Early Patch Notes…
GENERAL
• Videos in the Lobby are played with every release on Amazon Luna.
– We are investigating an issue where on every start-up Lobby intro videos will play for Amazon Luna players. We are working to resolve this in a future update.
ROYAL BATTLE
• The ‘Block login method as mouse’ setting does not work properly
– Lock Mouse Input setting may not work as intended
• Back Bling Beacon Glass incorrectly appears in the Closet
– When players select Back Bling Beacon Glass from their Cabinet, pieces of Back Bling are dropping.
LEGO FORTNITE
• Closet Vehicles – The SUV/Truck and Sports Car sections change to a different background color when navigating through the cosmetic options
• While the SUV / Box Truck category is set as the primary vehicle, players Sports Car appears instead of the Behemoth Car Body when entering a Rake Racing Island
• Behemoth Dune Hunter Behemoth Decal skull texture is applied to clothing when the video setting in the view distance is set to “Epic” or “Far”, but is not present when using lower settings
• Werewolf and Diestro skins are currently not sharing from Fortnite to Rocket League for owners of these skins
• McLaren 765LT painted wheel variants are currently not being shared from Fortnite to Rocket League for owners of this Car Body