Fortnite players are experiencing downtime as developer Epic Games takes the popular battle royale game offline to prepare for the highly anticipated launch of its next season. The servers went dark following the "Zero Hour" live event on Saturday, November 29th, marking the end of the current season and the beginning of a significant update.
Key Takeaways
- Fortnite servers are currently offline for maintenance.
- The downtime is in preparation for the launch of Chapter 7 Season 1.
- The new season is rumored to have a Hollywood theme, "Pacific Break."
- Potential crossovers include "Kill Bill," "Back to the Future," and "James Bond."
The Downtime Explained
The popular Battle Royale game officially went offline after the 2 p.m. Eastern season-ending "Zero Hour" live event on Saturday, November 29th. This downtime is standard procedure for Epic Games as they deploy updates and prepare the game for a new chapter. The "Fortnite Status" account on X confirmed the servers would be offline following the live event to release update v39.00, with downtime expected to last several hours.
When Will Fortnite Be Back Online?
Based on the countdown clock that concluded the live event, Fortnite is anticipated to return online around 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. However, it’s worth noting that new seasons typically drop a few hours after the current one ends, though past seasons have experienced delays.
What to Expect in Chapter 7 Season 1
Whispers from online gaming insiders suggest that the new season, Chapter 7 Season 1, will embrace a Hollywood theme titled "Pacific Break." The in-game island map is expected to be inspired by Los Angeles, potentially featuring exciting crossovers with iconic franchises such as "Kill Bill," "Back to the Future," and possibly the "James Bond" series.
Adding to the Hollywood buzz, players who logged in between November 27th and December 1st have already received the Yuki Yubari skin from the "Kill Bill" films. This promotion was highlighted by Fortnite on X, emphasizing the significance of the character’s arrival. The anticipation for the new season was further fueled by the presence of Quentin Tarantino and Uma Thurman at a recent Fortnite event.
Sources
- Is Fortnite down? When will Epic Games launch Chapter 7?, Bergen Record.
