UPDATE: Fortnite developer Epic Games has taken Battle Royale, Creative, LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival offline for server maintenance. The Fortnite server downtime has nothing to do with the recent PlayStation Network issues, which appear to have been fixed after going offline overnight. Instead, this is scheduled maintenance for all Fortnite game modes on all platforms. The game is expected to remain offline until around 11am BST. In the meantime, you can check out the update 31.30 patch notes.
ORIGINAL: Fortnite fans are looking forward to the release of update 31.30, which is only the third big update of the season so far. Available on PS5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Android and PC, update 31.30 will be available to download and install on the morning of October 1. As a numbered update, the download will be accompanied by an extended period of server downtime, which means you won’t be able to play Fortnite, 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 31.30 server maintenance schedule below.
According to Epic Games, Fortnite Battle Royale and all of its companion game modes will be taken offline at 9am BST.
However, as Epic points out in a tweet announcing the downtime, matchmaking will be disabled at around 8.30am UK time.
“Downtime for v31.30 begins at 4 AM ET with matchmaking ending shortly beforehand,” Epic explains.
Epic hasn’t revealed exactly when downtime will come to an end, but maintenance typically lasts for 2-3 hours.
This means Fortnite and all of its game modes should be back online from around 11am BST UK time.
In terms of what fans can expect from the new update, Epic has officially confirmed plans to add a Sleep Mode to Fortnite.
“Starting in v31.30, Fortnite will go into Sleep Mode after a player is inactive for 15 minutes, letting your squad know you stepped away,” Epic continues.
“When in Sleep Mode, Voice Chat is paused & matchmaking is canceled. This timer can be adjusted under Game > Sleep Mode & Energy Saving.”
Epic Games has also announced plans to bring TMNT to Creative, while Fortnite insider Shiina claims former NBA player Shaq will also join the game this week.
There’s also speculation about a mini event, as well as rumours of additional Marvel crossovers.