Fortnite Ballistic is launching in early access this week.
From its roots as a humble tower defense game, Fortnite has grown into a free-to-play multiplayer juggernaut that emulates or straight-up incorporates other games.
Nostalgic for the days of Rock Band? You can jam to songs on Fortnite Festival. Addicted to Rocket League? You can race those hyperspeed RC cars on Rocket Racing. Can’t get enough of Minecraft? You’ll love Lego Fortnite.
Forget Fortnite: Save the World, ‘Fortnite eats the world’ is more fitting.
With seasonal updates and fresh game modes, including user-generated experiences that veer closer to Roblox, Epic Games has kept Fortnite in a state of constant flux - an all-in-one multiplayer game built for our hyperactive era.
And, just when you thought Epic was running out of ideas, it’s mixing things up again with the release of Fortnite Ballistic.
What is Fortnite Ballistic?
The Skyline 10 map on Fortnite Ballistic
Epic Games
The brand-new mode pits two five-player teams against each other on a condensed map that looks like downtown Tokyo (in keeping with the Japan-inspired current season).
Attackers must plant a reality-scrambling Rift Point Device at one of two sites, while defenders must prevent them from setting it off. Teams swap over after six rounds, and the first to seven wins is crowned the victor.
A zero build-only mode with no respawns, Ballistic should appeal to players who thrive on tactical teamwork, strategising and close-quarters shootouts.
Along the way, you’ll earn coin for eliminations and Rift plants to be spent on increasing your paltry starting loadout, which consists of a Ranger pistol, 800 credits, and a special Flex Gadget. The latter includes game-changing weapons like the Proximity Mine, Bubble Shield, Recon Grenade and more.
Survival ensures you keep your gear with you, some of which you can supply to your teammates (like tactical and lethal grenades), giving you a boost in the next round.
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Although it supports the game’s vast range of outfits, the lack of some features (among them Pickaxes, Contrails and Vehicles) lends to its back-to-basics theme.
Fortnite goes first-person
Despite the Counter-Strike-style setup, the first thing players will notice about Ballistic is its viewpoint.
Whereas Fortnite has traditionally been a third-person game, giving players an over-the-shoulder view of the action, Ballistic features a first-person camera mode.
The layout of the Skyline 10 map, which is available at launch.
Epic Games
Creators have been able to use the new viewpoint for a little while, but now Epic is here to show them how it should be done.
As such, players will be restricted to a smaller field of view, making the action more immersive and intense. First-person is also generally considered better for shooters, allowing for more precise accuracy.
Why has it taken Epic so long to release first person mode? Well, Fortnite was doing gangbusters without it and, for the more cynical-minded, it doesn’t really meld with the game’s focus on monetisation.
After all, you can’t see those skins you spent all those V-Bucks on in first-person mode.
The Flex Gadgets available in Fortnite Ballistic
Epic Games
Fortnite Ballistic release date
So, when can you play it? Epic Games has announced that Fortnite Ballistic will launch in early access on Wednesday, December 11.
Ranked play will be available from the offing, but it will function slightly differently than Battle Royale. On Ballistic, matchmaking will be based on the average rank of your party, not your party’s highest-ranking member.
The amount of rank you gain or lose will be influenced by things like current rank, rounds won, rounds lost, eliminations, assists - with more rank loss for AFK players or those who leave mid-match. Your rank won’t be affected if you lose your first match of the day.