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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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