Fortnite has gone offline following an epic—if slightly too-long—live-event that saw the destruction of the Chapter 3 map and the piecing together of the new Chapter 4 map, courtesy of the Paradigm.
The event itself was pretty cool. You’re in space, basically, with several small floating islands hovering around the Zero Point—that giant glowing orb in the picture above.
Fractured
Screenshot: Erik Kain
Your goal here was to gather energy orbs to funnel power into the Zero Point so that Paradigm could use it to power her Map construction. To do this you had to find orbs around the map and complete mini-games and challenges such as:
Matching props around the floating islands, like flamingos.
Watching flashbacks of previous live-events like the rocket and the Mech vs Monster battle.
Running NPC quests like building a snowman, throwing a chicken into the Zero Point and so forth.
As the Paradigm roped in more and more islands, new areas to explore became available, along with more places to find orbs.
Fractured Event Flashback
Screenshot: Erik Kain
I think I got to 44 points by the end of the event. I recorded the whole thing but the video footage is corrupted or I’d share it with you here. I’m actually pretty frustrated about this!
A giant metal head of Cuddle Team Leader.
Screenshot: Erik Kain
As the final cinematic played out we glimpsed a few familiar faces—the same skins I wrote about leaking ahead of the event: Geralt Of Rivia, Mr. Beast, The Hulk, DOOM Guy and what looks to be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and characters from Toy Story.
Chapter 4 Map
Screenshot: Erik Kain
The new map looks pretty sweet! I’m excited to dive back in as I really haven’t played much of lately and didn’t play very much of Chapter 3 this past year. Maybe this can breathe some new life into the game.
While the prop-hunting and whatnot was fun, it might have been more fun if we’d also gotten a massive co-op battle against The Herald first instead of just a cinematic. Oh well! I still had fun.
The event ended with the below cinematic:
When Does Fortnite Come Back Online?
We don’t have an exact time right now, but according to the Xbox in-game message Chapter 4 starts on December 4th. That means the earliest servers could come back online would be midnight ET / 9pm PT. I think it’s more likely that servers will go live in the middle of the night, around 3am ET / midnight PT. In other words: Servers will be live when you wake up tomorrow morning and download the new update.
Epic Games rarely announce the exact time for servers to come back online, and in the past they’ve made players wait for days between seasons. That doesn’t look to be the case here. If we get more solid times, I’ll update this post. If for some reason the game doesn’t come back online tomorrow, I’ll update this post. For now, your best bet is either staying up later or—if you’re wise—getting a good night’s sleep and jumping in tomorrow morning.
The end-screen of the live-event.
Screenshot: Erik Kain
Right now I can’t even login to Fortnite and I’m apparently logged out of my Epic Game Store on my PC despite just playing the game! I’m getting login errors which I assume are related to the game update. Very weird. Anyways, more to come . . . .
Stay tuned!
Update: Servers Are Back Online!
Fortnite
Credit: Epic Games
Fortnite: Battle Royale is back online after a long period of downtime. While the game was offline for half the day yesterday and much of the night, this is still a short downtime compared to the end of Chapter 1 and beginning of Chapter 2, when Fortnite disappeared into a black hole and servers didn’t fire back up for several days.
That’s a stunt Epic Games may not want to risk a second time. Going offline for 12 or 15 hours builds hype and anticipation; going offline for four days could drive gamers into the arms of another title.
In any case, lots is new in Fortnite today as we have Chapter 4, Season 1 to explore. This includes:
A brand new map with all-new Points Of Interest to explore (plus some new ones).
A new Battle Pass with a bunch of new skins including The Witcher’s Geralt of Rivia and the Doom Slayer from DOOM. Check out all those skins right here.
In-season, Epic will be releasing Creative 2.0 which allows Fortnite players to mess around with the power of Unreal Engine 5 to create . . . we’ll see! Marvelous things, no doubt! Creative should really come into its own next month when this launches.
Motorcycles! At last! You can now drive around on two wheels for the first time. I can’t believe it’s taken Epic Games this long, to be honest. Better late than never . . . .
New weapons like the Twin Mag SMG, Tactical Pistol, Thunder Shotgun, Maven Auto Shotgun and Red-Eye Assault Rifle. Also a Shock Hammer and a sword-rifle combo called the Ex-Caliber Rifle (which is clever Arthurian punning, I must admit).
Unvaulted weapons like the SCAR. The Tactical AR is returning soon also, this time with a Red-Dot Sight with an orange tint.
Loot Drones
A new Slap Juice consumable that gives you faster stamina regeneration.
New Default Skins
A new victory umbrella.
And lots more! I’m diving into the map today to get a better sense of everything that’s new in the game and will round it up in a separate post later here on this blog. Stay tuned! We also have all the Christmas festivities to look forward to soon enough, so even more changes are on the way.
What do you think of the new Chapter and Season so far? Let me know on Twitter or Facebook.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
