Fortnite Chapter 3 Turns The Island Upside Down With Fresh And Exciting New Gameplay Mechanics

The world of Fortnite has been flipped upside down – quite literally – as Chapter 3 of the popular Battle Royale title officially launched on December 5th, 2021 which features a completely redesigned map and fresh gameplay mechanics. It comes after “The End” Finale Event which served as the conclusion of the Chapter 2 storyline that took place on December 4th, 2021 where millions of players came together to prevent the beloved Island from falling into the hands of The Cube Queen alongside her relentless corruption. Participants were unequivocally outmatched by the malevolent forces and subsequently dispatched until three members of The Seven – an elite group integral to the story – rescued all of the players before setting in motion the means to escape to the “Flip Side” of the Island.

One of the biggest surprises – and worst kept secrets in Fortnite history – was the confirmation that Hollywood superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was not only providing the voice for the leader of The Seven – known simply as The Foundation – but Epic Games took things a step further and used his likeness for the character model as well. Eagle eyed players might also have noticed Johnson sneaking in his signature “eyebrow raise” during his unmasking which not only provided players with a moment of humour and fan service but also permanently immortalized himself within the Fortnite universe in what can only be described as one of the most important pieces of the expanding puzzle.

After jumping out of the Battle Bus for the first time, players will notice a strikingly different Island filled with snow covered landscapes throughout the western half of the map and exciting locations such as the suburban Greasy Grove hotspot and the Logjam Lumberyard industrial area. Warmer weather towards the eastern portion of the Fortnite Island contains palm tree lined beaches, gorgeous tropical vistas, and Sanctuary – the compound basecamp of The Seven. Players will also be able to get a clear view of a gigantic rock formation called Mighty Monument which acts as a tribute to The Foundation and is sure to become yet another fan favourite location amongst the Fortnite community.

Rounding out the newest additions to the Chapter 3 Island is the sun scorched desert biome which occupies the southern region and contains an off-road racing track called Chonker’s Speedway with cozy living quarters at Condo Canyon to provide plenty of tactical opportunities. Players will also be delighted to know that the Butter Barn from Chapter 2 – Season 5 has returned with Mancake serving up all kinds of delicious plates! Epic Games has confirmed that the snow which is currently occupying nearly three quarters of the Island will begin to melt over the coming weeks and reveal hidden secrets beneath the frozen precipitation. Fans have already theorized that a potentially rideable creature is resting underneath the snow piles with Tilted Towers rumoured to be making a triumphant and long awaited return as well; this is currently all but confirmed at this point in time.

Besides the obligatory and welcome map changes, Epic Games has also released several gameplay mechanics with Chapter 3 which is giving players an entirely NEW way to play Fortnite with their friends and family. Sliding has officially arrived and allows players to quickly evade enemy fire and provide another layer of strategy during matches. This can be achieved by holding down the CROUCH button whilst running and the action will continue until momentum has been exhausted. Players will also be able to shoot their weapons and build structures while sliding which will undoubtedly lead to some amazing gameplay moments with such clips already making the rounds on social media including YouTube and TikTok on a daily basis. Sliding mechanics have already appeared in other popular titles such as Apex Legends and Call of Duty – it feels right at home within the Fortnite universe.

Players will also be able to set up camp alongside their friends and strategize the daily scrimish thanks to the NEW Tent item that Epic Games has kindly stashed aboard the Battle Bus. Players can assemble a basic camping tent which acts like a permanent storage locker with the space and capabilities of holding up to three separate items that will carry over into future matches. Other party members can benefit from such campsites and reap the benefits by interacting with them and either purchase their own Tent with Bars or replenish lost health by staying cozy inside; does not protect against the Storm and only recovers Health – will not grant or recover lost Shields for players during matches.

Those looking for some extra incentive when jumping out of the Battle Bus are in for a royal surprise as Epic Games is adding another layer to the Battle Royale experience – Victory Crowns are up for grabs and ready to be worn! Players that place within a certain rank (Top 4 in Solo) during a match will earn themselves the coveted award which will subsequently carry over into the next round and demonstrate to opponents that they are in for a tough fight. However, with high prestige comes even higher stakes as Victory Crowns are not simply around to make Peely look good – they will shine and communicate that select players have performed very well during the previous match. Those who managed to defeat their opponents whilst wearing one will walk away with the prestigious Crowning Achievement Emote by which they can display their true prowess to the world; counter will show total victories.

The Battle Pass notes that Season 1 of Chapter 3 will run through March 19th, 2022 and Epic Games has plenty of exciting content scheduled over the next four months including the highly anticipated return of Winterfest – a Fortnite Christmas tradition! The seasonal event features a series of Christmas themed Challenges with players unlocking a variety of FREE Yuletide rewards to celebrate the holiday season. Hollywood superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is also slated to make his official appearance in Fortnite as a playable character – The Foundation – around February 3rd, 2022 with additional Styles and cosmetics to unlock as he is the Secret Skin for Battle Pass owners to enjoy.

Fortnite is available now on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One X, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Windows PC, and Android devices.