Less than two weeks after its launch, Fortnite's Chapter 6 Season 1 update has already made some major changes to the game. The update brought a new map, improved movement mechanics, and a revamped loot pool for Battle Royale. Outside of Fortnite's tent pole mode, Chapter 6 Season 1 is adding some notable modes to the game.
At the start of Chapter 5, Fortnite attempted to expand its appeal by adding three new modes to the game: LEGO Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, and Rocket Racing. Though an ambitious move on Epic Games' part, none of the modes managed to capture players' attention in the way that the competitive shooting of Battle Royale does. Therefore, while Fortnite is still gaining new modes at the start of this chapter, Epic has ensured that these experiences will shift the focus back to Fortnite's core gameplay. The first mode added was Fortnite OG — now here for a permanent stay — on December 6. The next mode set to arrive this month is sure to grab players' attention, as it will be Fortnite's first foray in first-person.
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Fortnite Ballistic is a New Take on a Popular Format
Fan demand for first-person gameplay in Fortnite has been constant over the years, and Epic is finally granting that wish with this upcoming mode. Epic gave players their first look at Fortnite's new Ballistic mode with a trailer last week. Ballistic is described by Epic as "an adrenaline-filled, round-based 5v5 competitive game mode where strategy, tactical teamwork, and individual prowess are essential for victory."
Ballistic does not have building enabled and will be playable entirely in first-person. It is an objective-based mode that pits two teams of five players against each other on a brand-new map called Skyline 10. Based on the initial reveal, Ballistic has been heavily compared to shooters like Valorant and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
How Fortnite's Ballistic Mode Works
In the new 5v5 Ballistic mode, one team plays offense while the other plays defense. The offense's goal is "to plant a reality-tearing Rift Point Device" at one of two specified locations on the map. The defense's goal is to eliminate the enemy team or diffuse the Rift Point Device before its 45-second-long detonation timer runs out. A round ends if the device detonates or — since there are no respawns — if one of the teams is completely wiped out. The first team to win seven rounds wins the game.
Ballistic will feature three types of assault rifles, two shotguns, two SMGs, one sniper, and two pistols. Every player starts out with a Ranger Pistol. They can use credits earned by eliminating enemies and planting the Rift Point Device to unlock new weapons at the start of each round. If a player survives a round, their unlocked weapons will carry over into the next round. Players will also be able to unlock gadgets like Smoke Grenades, Flashbangs, Proximity Mines, Recon Grenades, Frag Grenades, and Impulse Grenades. However, the gadgets available to each team will differ from game to game according to an official post by Fortnite.
Ballistic's Release Date
Ballistic will be released with both ranked and unranked variants on December 11. However, Ballistic differs from every other new mode Epic has released in the past year in one big way. While Ballistic will be playable on December 11, it will only be an early access build of the mode. Epic has seemingly learned a lesson from the lackluster releases of modes like Rocket Racing and is taking the opportunity to gauge player feedback and enthusiasm before officially releasing Ballistic. Ballistic will likely have more staying power than an LTM would, but it's unknown if it will eventually become a permanent mode. Regardless, Epic has also confirmed that it will soon be adding first-person support to Fortnite's Creative mode.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- September 26, 2017
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Play Fortnite your way.
Be the last player standing in Battle Royale, Zero Build, Reload, and Fortnite OG, explore LEGO Fortnite experiences, blast to the finish with Rocket Racing or headline a concert with Fortnite Festival. Play thousands of free creator made islands with friends including deathruns, tycoons, racing, zombie survival and more! Join the creator community and build your own island with Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) or Fortnite Creative tools.
Each Fortnite island has an individual age rating so you can find the one that's right for you and your friends. Find it all in Fortnite!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms (except iOS/Mac)
- Cross Save
- Via Epic Account
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS
- X|S Optimized
- YES
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-4 players (certain modes)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
