[Update: Patch 5.30 is here, along with a points-based Score Royale LTM and a new item for teleporting on the go. We'll be updating the page when patch 5.40 launches in the next few days, though we're already excited by the new High Stakes mode we've detailed below.]
Fortnite Battle Royale is a certified gaming phenomenon. Pitting 100 players against each other on a single map, it melds fun, cartoonish gameplay with a fierce competitive streak, and has attracted millions of players across the globe.
When starting up, you're thrown onto an island with no weapons or armor and you must scavenge for supplies and fight for your life to be the last man or squad standing at the end of the game – with the added pressure of a shrinking map that closes in as the match progresses, forcing players into tighter skirmishes.
The game is available for free on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and iOS, with in-game purchases limited to purely cosmetic options. But with Epic Games actively updating the game throughout the year, we're keeping track of all the most important patches and changes to come to the game: read on for all the details.
What's the latest Fortnite update? Patch 5.30
Fortnite Season 5 brought with it a number of new, varied locations, all-terrain golf carts to cruise around in, a dynamically shifting storm, and even shimmering portals that let you teleport back into the sky before gliding down to new areas. Nintendo Switch players, meanwhile, found they could now play the game with motion controls, too.
The patches since have played with a number of LTM (limited time modes, lasting around a week) for even more varied gameplay, albeit for mournfully short periods – like the short-lived Steady Storm mode, which saw a constantly moving storm close in on the map over 15 minutes.
Then Patch 5.30 hit in mid-August, bringing with it a Score Royale LTM that crowns the winner based on your highscore. Players rack up points by finding coins, opening supply drops and, naturally, shooting other players until they reach the score limit.
Other changes include a new Bundlebuss Assault Rifle in the Save The World campaign, a 'Rift-to-Go' item for player-controlled teleporting, and – perhaps most crucially – the ability to use emoticons when knocked down.
You can pore through the smaller bullet points and stat changes at Epic’s full patch notes here.
What's coming up in Fortnite?
Fortnite is a game that undergoes frequent updates. Week-by-week you can expect to see patches which either squash bugs or make small changes to gameplay that improve the overall game experience.
One thing certainly on the cards is more Limited Time Modes, which offer a new twist on the classic Battle Royale experience. Epic Games has already detailed the upcoming High Stakes event, which an LTM based around a jewel heist called The Getaway.
Players will be looking to retrieve the jewels from Supply Drops, before transporting them safely (read: dangerously) to a getaway vehicle placed somewhere on the map. High Stakes will also bring in a number of classy new outfits, masks, and cosmetic items to suit the heist-movie aesthetic.
We're expecting continued support for the popular Playground Mode too, which lets up to four players hone their skills together in a less pressured environment. It relaunched in July with an aim assist feature for new players, increased ammo and supply drops, and the ability to swap teams in game for fluid play.
We can also expect to see more interesting Limited Time items like the recently introduced jetpacks in the future.
Can I play Fortnite on mobile?
Yes you can! Well, maybe. After months of waiting, Fortnite is finally on both iOS and Android, though you'll need a phone that can actually run the game.
iOS users can download straight from the App Store. As long as you're using iOS 11 on iPhone 6S/SE, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2, iPad 2017, iPad Pro devices or later you'll be fine. Oh, and you'll need an internet connection, naturally.
Fortnite also hit Android phones this summer, but it'll likely stay in beta until some point in September. You can see the full list of phones – and how to get an invite to the beta – on our Fortnite on Android page.
Is it the full game?
It is the full Fortnite game. There are some small differences: it’s not quite as visually impressive as it is on more powerful devices, the controls are touchscreen, and a lot of audio cues have been made visual so you can play comfortably in public without the need for headphones. But you won’t be missing out on any key features.
What's the deal with cross-play?
Though Xbox One and PS4 owners can't play the game together, these consoles can play with PC and mobile devices. And Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PC and mobile players can all play together. So if you've got friends that prefer PC, others that prefer console and you're off on holiday with your mobile, that's no reason for the fun to stop.
There's also cross-progression. So, if you're logged into your Fortnite account on mobile and you later log into your console to play there, everything you did on mobile later that day is carried over.
Sounds great, how do I get it?
We have a guide on how to get Fortnite on mobile on TechRadar and we're constantly updating it with the latest rollout news. If your device isn't there yet, keep checking back and one day it probably will be.
What's a Battle Pass?
The Battle Pass is a purchasable item in Fortnite that gives you access to exclusive in-game rewards.
As players complete daily challenges and level up their rank, they earn Battle Stars which can then be used to unlock Tiers in their Battle Pass. Each new Tier you unlock will bring both Free and Premium rewards. The Tiers vary from season to season but in season three you get around 100 items in each Battle Pass which can take anywhere between 75 and 150 hours of play to unlock.
Everyone that has a Battle Pass will get the Free reward they unlock, but only Premium Pass holders will get the Premium reward. Battle Pass Premium can only be purchased with in-game V bucks and not with real money.
You can purchase a Battle Pass for around £7/$10 in the Battle Pass tab of the game’s menu.
Twitch Prime benefits
Those who use Twitch Prime and play Fortnite will be glad to know that they have access to free loot right now. Those with a Prime account can claim the Fortnite Twitch Prime Pack and the Fortnite Twitch Prime Pack 2 which include a host of cosmetic items and are available across all platforms.
The first pack includes two exclusive gliders and outfits: the Havoc Outfit and Back Bling, plus the Sub Commander Outfit and Slipstream Glider. The second pack contains three exclusive items for Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode including the camouflage-heavy Trailblazer Outfit, the True North Back Bling, and the Tenderizer Pickaxe. There’s also a brand new dance emote for those that like the dance floor as much as the battleground.
The packs can only be claimed on a single platform, but they can be shared across PC/console and mobile as long as you use the same Epic account across these platforms. You can’t however, share your loot across PS4 and Xbox One even if you are using the same Epic account.
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