Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 updates — Servers in ‘downtime’ as game reveals when pre-downloads will be available
FORTNITE has released yet another new update and while this may mean good news, it came at a small cost as thousands experienced issues accessing the game on Friday.
Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 dropped after a lengthy wait and a spectacular live event - but fans had to wait a while to play.
The new season, dubbed Myths and Mortals, is expected to add fresh material to the game inspired by Greek mythology.
announced on Friday at 4pm that the pre-download for updated version v29.00 would be available to gamers at 9pm EST.
According to a early on Saturday morning, all systems are operational and gamers should be able to access the new Fortnite update.
Follow our Fortnite down updates blog for the latest...
Fans can't wait for Season 2 Battle Pass
Fans have flocked to X following today's leaks, claiming this could be the “best” Battle Pass yet.
“This is gonna be the best Battle Pass in a LONG time if we actually get all these skins,” Fornite leaker @ShiinaBR on X.
Another : “I’m excited for this one lowkey.”
A third player : “This is like easily TOP three Battle Pass of all time.”
Eight hour extension to downtime
Leakers are reporting that the extension to today's downtime is a staggering eight hours!
This means players won't be able to access the new content until much later this afternoon.
Stick with us for moment to moment updates on Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2.
Downtime expected to last longer than usual
It looks like today's downtime is going to last a little bit longer than usual.
The official Fortnite Status account on X confirmed developers have some more work to do before players can gain access to Chapter 5 Season 2.
The post read: "Dear Mortals and Future Myths, we're excited to get you into Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 2!
"We're still working through some updates during downtime and will provide more information once our v29.00 downtime has ended.
"Because of this, downtime will be a few hours longer than usual."
Greek heroes and gods enter the Battle Royal
According to a leak on X/Twitter by Hypex, gamers could see the introduction of these new skins.
- Zeus
- Cerberus
- Hades
- Aphrodite
- Poseidon
- Medusa
- Artemis
- Ares
- Odyssey
When will downtime end?
Epic tends to keep the timings of its updates quite close to its chest.
However, downtime today began at around 8am GMT, or 3am ET.
So we can expect it to be over at around 3pm GMT/10am ET.
Season 2 bosses leaked as update continues
Here's a look at the bosses coming with Fortnite's Chapter 5 Season 2 update.
Each character will be accompanied by their own unique item, from Zeus' thunderbolt to the wings of Icarus.
Credit: EPIC 
Credit: EPIC 
Credit: EPIC 
Credit: EPIC Why Fortnite got banned from mobile app stores
Fortnite was banned by Apple and Google Play in 2020 after using an unapproved payment mechanism in their game.
The that let players buy in-game currency at a reduced rate if they bought directly from Epic Games’ website as opposed to the App Store.
Apple takes a standard 30 percent cut of sales from its compulsory payment system.
Apple said Epic had taken the “unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines.”
Epic mentioned that anyone with the game downloaded on their iPhone will still be available to play until the next update is released, which will delete certain features.
Korra joins the Battle Royale
Reliable Fortnite leaker HYPEX has confirmed Avatar Korra is coming to the popular Battle Royale.
This looks set to coincide with the release of Netflix's adaptation of the original Avatar show.
Korra will be available sometime in April, according to leaks.
What collabs can we expect in Season 2?
Nothing has been announced yet on what skins to expect in Season 2.
However, sticking with its Greek theme, Season 2 could feature a number of collabs connected to the world of myths and legends.
Perhaps we will see gaming icon Cassandra from Assassin's Creed Odyssey join the battle royale or maybe Zagreus from the beloved roguelike Hades.
Elsewhere, data miners have leaked skins from popular anime Jujutsu Kaisen as well as World of Warcraft.
Greek myths descend on Fortnite
With Chapter 5 season 2, Fortnite's already Mediterranean-feeling map will lean further into the world of the Greek pantheon.
Epic has shared some snaps of the mythic locations players can expect to visit following today's update.
Credit: EPIC 
Credit: EPIC 
Credit: EPIC Season two map pictured
Every season Epic makes changes to Fortnite's map.
Below, X user HYPEX has shared a look at what players can expect following today's update.
How to check if your Fortnite is down
If you want to check the status of Fortnite’s servers, you can easily check it out on X.
To find out if Fortnite is up and running simply head over to the Fortnite Status X account.
When will OG Fortnite return?
Fortnite OG launched last year, bringing with it hundreds of millions of first time and returning players.
The Chapter 1 flashback season brought back old players and new to discover what sparked Fortnite’s meteoric rise in popularity.
Epic Games has now formally revealed that the game will return in 2024.
Why is Fortnite down?
Fortnite has gone down for users across the globe as developers implement the new update.
Each Seasons introduces new themes, weapons, map locations and more lore into the game's storyline.
Fortnite outage heatmap
This heat map shows where user-submitted problem reports are concentrated over the past 24 hours.
It is common for some problems to be reported throughout the day.
Downdetector only reports an incident when the number of problem reports is significantly higher than the typical volume for that time of day.
Myths and Mortals lands
Fortnite has released a new trailer ahead of the latest season.
Epic Games has confirmed the following new skins.
- Aphrodite
- Hades
- Medusa
- Cerberus
- Artemis
- Korra
- Poseidon
- Zeus
Will there be a live event for the new season?
A live event for the new season is yet to be confirmed.
We can only hope!
Gamers in the US hit by outage
Gamers in the US have also been affected by the downtime.
Over 200 users have reported issues with server connection on DownDetector.
What can expect to change with the map
Gamers are expecting to see the Ruined Reels landing spot to be replaced.
You can read The Sun's predictions for the map below.
Fans claims this could be the 'best' Battle Pass
Fans have flocked to X following the leaks claiming this could be the "best" Battle Pass yet.
"This is gonna be the best Battle Pass in a LONG time if we actually get all these skins," Fornite leaker @ShiinaBR on X.
Another : "I’m excited for this one lowkey."
A third player : "This is like easily TOP three Battle Pass of all time."
Chapter 5, Season 2 Battle Pass skins leak
According to a leak on X by Hypex, formerly known as Twitter, gamers could see the introduction of these new skins.
- Zeus
- Cerberus
- Hades
- Aphrodite
- Poseidon
- Medusa
- Artemis
- Ares
- Odyssey
Fortnite gamers hit by outage
Gamers have been hit by this morning's planned outage ahead of the new update.
Reports are starting to rise on DownDetector following the start of downtime.
How long will Fortnite be down for?
It is not currently known how long the downtime will last.
Chapter 5 Season 1 official ended at 7am UK Time / 2am ET.
The new season tends to follow shortly after.
Fortnite users hit with downtime
Fortnite downtime has just started bringing an end to the latest chapter.
The new chapter 'Myths and Mortals' looks to be based around the theme of Ancient Greece.