In the five yearsFortnitehas existed, the game has seen thousands of changes, from complete overhauls of the island to small additions broadening the lore. The game has gone through many ups and downs, with fans leaving after a slow season, or returning as new modes are introduced.
RELATED:Fortnite: Relatable Things Every Player Does
Love it or hate it, Fortnite isn’t going anywhere, and it’s still going strong. While the game nowadays feels more like a platform for brands and franchises to come together, at its heart is still a competent shooter that feels fresh almost constantly. Here’s every big update to Fortnite we have received and what it brought to the experience.
Every Fortnite Update: Chapters and Seasons
Slogan
“First Flight”
Chapter 1launched the spectacle that is Fortnite. Although it wasn’t called ‘Chapter 1’ because nobody knew how long the game would last, and certainly nobody knew that Fortnite would blow up and become a household name. Launching with just a few weapons and a very basic map, Fortnite was basic and limited.
The first season was also the shortest; Epic Games realised what a juggernaut the game would become, so they quickly launched Season Two, bringing in a whole host of changes.
“Fort Knights”
Season Twolanded and with it came a new map, something that would become a tradition for the game. The theme for this season wasknights and the medieval age, under the slogan"Fort Knights.“The introduction of theBattle Passnot only revolutionised the game but also the industry, introducing a new standard. Interestingly, this first Battle Pass only had70 tiers, while all others would have 100.
Every season of Fortnite overhauled not only the map, but also many gameplay mechanics, while introducing new items, weapons, and tactics. This season saw the introduction of theSmall Shield Potion, which we now refer to as ‘minis’, also the healingCozy Campfires, Impulse Grenade, and the well-lovedChug Jug. From Season Two onwards, Epic Games would begin vaulting items and weapons - removing them from the game to keep things fresh.
“Meteor Strike”
Season Threesaw the Battle Pass jumpfrom 70 tiers to 100, which has become the standard. This season also saw some new implementations that became regular, most importantly,Content Updates. These were bi-weekly updates that wouldtweak the stats, squash the bugs and begin introducing different items and weapons. This season we saw the introduction of the Loot Llama, along with theHand Cannon, Heavy Shotgun,andVending Machines.
It’s here that theFortnite storyline began. While the story is often pretty light, Epic Games added a few memorable characters and a thin trail of moments that, when stitched together, would deliver a narrative for eager fans. It all started witha comet appearing in the sky above the map, leading fans to believe the comet would strike and destroy the island.
“Brace For Impact”
The comet seen above the map slammed into Dusty Depot, renaming itDusty Divot. At this point, Epic Games began updating Fortnite significantly, not only adding things to the game or tweaking mechanics but changing the POIs in a number of ways, creatinga map that constantly felt alive. As the season progressed, arocket shipwas built on the island, expected to blast into space. The rocket, however, cracked the sky opening aRift in space and time.
The theme of this season brought in a traditionalHeroes Vs Villains battle, with the different groups battling over POIs. This became a precursor to thefirst Marvel Comics collaboration, which saw players fight for Thanos’Infinity Gauntlet. We also saw the iconicShopping Cartintroduced - the first of Fortnite’s vehicles - theJetpackand theThermal Scoped Assault Rifle.
“Worlds Collide”
By the start ofSeason Five, Fortnite was taking over the internet. Twitch streaming figures were through the roof, and it was becoming a phenomenon. It was also the season that shaped what we see as Fortnite today -an ever-changing environment, creating a game that felt fresh every few weeks.
TheRift in the skyhad begun to close, spiking bursts of lightning across the landscape. As the last lightning bolt flew out, it created alarge purple cubethat fell to the ground. This cube, namedKevinby the community, spent much of the season rolling across the map before sinking intoLoot Lakeand turning the water into a bouncy jelly substance.
The first actual vehicle - theATK golf buggy- dropped in Season Five, which gave players much more movement. We also got a range ofSMGs added, the chaoticHeavy Sniper Rifleand the ever-popularRift-To-Go, which also improved movement across the map.
“Darkness Rises”
The Battle Pass began to evolve and offer new items for players, namelymusic discswhich would alter the lobby music, andpet Back Blings. These pets could be petted and would react to what was happening in the game as you played. Another vehicle appeared on the island, which would cause carnage. TheQuadcrasherhad a plow on the front to destroy buildings, but it could alsoboost around the island, catching air, and performing stunts.
The storyline in Season Six developed slowly as the power from theCubebegan tearing apart pieces of the map, creating largefloating islands. Along with this, the power of the Cube brought us thefirst AI enemies - Cube Monsters. These purple creatures would rampage aroundhunting Loopers (players). Thankfully, players could use the newShadow Stoneto become a shadow for 45 seconds and avoid damage, while gaining speed.
“You Better Watch Out”
Season Sevenkicked off after the’Butterfly event’which brought a close to the Rift and Cube storyline. The theme for this season encompassedChristmas and winter. Ice and Snow would envelop the island, slowly melting away to reveal a lair for a new evil,The Ice King. At this point, Fortnite seemed to be constantly updating, adding new details to the island constantly. Perhaps the biggest addition to Fortnite in Season Seven was theX-4 Stormwingvehicle; a plane. This was the first time players could move across the island rapidly, while still raining down damage on everyone else.
Away from Battle Royale updates, Epic Games launchedCreative Modewhich allowed players to create their own maps and gamemodes. Creative Mode utilised easy placing of pre-built objects to allow anyone the opportunity to create a new corner of Fortnite. We also saw the first14 Days of Fortnite Christmas eventand the island saw the inclusion ofzip linesand theInfinity Bladewhich linked to an Epic Games mobile game.
“X Marks The Spot”
The event ending Season Seven sawThe Ice King become The Fire Kingand the creation of alarge volcanoon the Fortnite island. During this season, the volcano would erupt after a mini-event unvaulted items and weapons. The eruption would destroy several areas of the map, changing their geography. Several mechanics would overhaul the feel of the game inSeason Eight;The Balleris a hamster ball vehicle that featured mountedgrappling hooksallowing travel across different surfaces andFoodwas introduced which would heal.
Perhaps the biggest addition was theReboot Van. Epic Games had been watching the Battle Royale competition closely and was influenced by Apex Legends. Epic Games introduced the Reboot system whichallowed eliminated players to be ‘rebooted’ back into the game.
“The Future Is Yours”
Season Ninewas all about rebirth as the island was being rebuilt after the volcano eruption. As the seasons progressed, a creature was revealed to be living within the ice,The Devourer, a powerful monster locked away by The Ice King. This season would take on a futuristic feel, with Tilted Towers being revamped intoNeo Tilted.
This was felt after The Devourer broke free of the ice and began swimming around the island. This new threat needed to be destroyed, so players would witness the creation ofMecha Team Leader, a huge mech that would fight the monster in the season-ending event.
Well-loved items and weapons were introduced for Season Nine; theChug SplashandCombat Shotgunbeing two of them.Loot Droneswere also created to hover above POIs dropping rare items when shot down.
“Out Of Time”
Fortnite was already a household name, butSeason Xwould end and break the internet. In-game events were a common sight by now, but Season X would end, bringing a close to many storylines. As the season-ending event played out, it ended with aBlack Hole swallowing the island. This started aperiod of downtimewhich meant nobody could play. Players would only see the Black Hole and the world was wondering where Fortnite had gone.
Before this kicked off, Season X brought a collaboration withDC Comics, transforming Tilted intoGotham City. We also saw the addition ofMissions, which revamped the challenge system. Most notable was the addition ofB.R.U.T.E Mechswhich players could pilot and use to fight each other. This vehicle was extremely contentious and divided the player base due to the overpowered nature of the mech. This season saw the firstGaming Legendsskin, thePsycho Bandit from Borderlands. Fortnite would go on to collaborate with countless other games.
