UPDATE: Fortnite servers are back online. With server downtime coming to an end, fans can check out the new and improved movement animation system, which should result in a smoother gameplay experience. Epic Games has also updated the locker to better organise items by rarity.
ORIGINAL: Fortnite developer Epic Games is taking the game offline for server maintenance as part of the launch of update 28.01. Coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch, Android and PC, update 28.01 will be available to download on the morning of December 19. It will be accompanied by a period of server downtime, which means you won’t be able to play Fortnite (not to mention LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival) for at least a couple of hours. If you want to know when you can log back into Fortnite, check out the 28.01 server downtime schedule below.
READ MORE: Fortnite update 28.01 patch notes, downtime, NEW movement animations and more
The news was announced by Epic Games on Twitter, alongside details on when servers will be taken offline for maintenance.
“New patch incoming! Tomorrow’s patch hits key areas that we want to address before our next content update.
“Downtime will start at 4:00 AM ET, with matchmaking being disabled shortly beforehand.”
For UK fans, this means that Fortnite will be taken offline in full at 9am GMT, while matchmaking will be disabled at 8.30am.
Epic hasn’t revealed exactly when downtime will come to an end, but maintenance typically lasts for around a couple of hours.
This means Fortnite should be back online by 11am GMT UK time at the latest.
Despite the server downtime, Fortnite update 28.01 won’t add any new content to the game.
Instead, the new update will make a series of bug fixes and gameplay tweaks. That’s on top of the launch of a new movement animation system.
Epic explains more: “Players on all platforms will experience Motion Matching and Procedural Layering in Fortnite Battle Royale.
“These are features that result in improved animations for things like transitioning from walking to running, changing directions, and using a weapon.”