The latest 'Fortnite' patch brings big changes to Battle Royale matchmaking and new styles for fan favorite skins

Kevin WebbMar 13, 2019, 03:30 IST

&quotFortnite"/Epic Games

"Fortnite" got its second patch of Season 8 earlier today, bringing gameplay updates and big changes to Battle Royale matchmaking.
Players on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will share a crossplay matchmaking pool when playing in battle royale matches; those who opt-out of crossplay will only be able to play in "Fortnite's" Creative and Playgrounds modes.
Players on the Nintendo Switch will be matched with people playing on mobile devices for Battle Royale. Switch players were previously grouped with Xbox and PlayStation 4 players.

Last year "Fortnite: Battle Royale" became the first video game to feature crossplay on all major video game platforms. Crossplay means that regardless of what platform players prefer - Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, or Android- they can always play "Fortnite" together.

Now, "Fortnite" will make crossplay mandatory for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players who want to join Battle Royale matches. When "Fortnite" patch 8.10 went live earlier this morning it mixed the player pool of the two consoles together. In the past players could opt-in for crossplay, but were otherwise grouped with players on the same platform. Now if players want to join Battle Royale, the most popular mode, they'll need to accept crossplay as the new standard.

Fortnite developer Epic Games said the change is designed to help optimize the game's server load, and could help them run more types of game modes alongside Battle Royale. Like before, Xbox and PS4 players will still have to opt-in for crossplay from "Fortnite's" settings, but if they don't, they'll only be allowed to play in Creative and Playgrounds mode matches.

Epic Games

Also starting today, players on the Nintendo Switch will be matched with players on iOS and Android devices. Switch player were previously grouped with PS4 and Xbox players, but Epic Games said that matching Switch owners with mobile players should provide for a more consistent experience for both parties.

Because "Fortnite" already had optional crossplay, the change probably won't have much of an effect how the game plays. Players on Switch may have an easier time competing against primarily mobile players than they did facing players on PS4 and Xbox, but in the past Epic has said they are confident that "Fortnite" has skilled players across all platforms.

Here are the other important changes coming to "Fortnite" with the 8.10 patch.

See The latest 'Fortnite' patch brings big changes to Battle Royale matchmaking and new styles for fan favorite skins >>

Patch 8.01 adds style updates for six skins, and some new animations.

Fans told Epic Games they'd like to see the faces behind some of the game's popular costumes, so "Fortnite" patch 8.01 added style updates to six costumes to do just that. The following costumes have been adjusted in the latest update: Scarlet Defender, Elite Agent, Renegade Raider, Waypoint, Overtaker, and Whiteout.

The patch also introduces new animations for using consumables like first-aid supplies and food. Epic says they're working to add even more polish to "Fortnite's" visuals in the coming months.

The Getaway, a fan-favorite Limited Time Mode returned with Patch 8.01.

The Getaway was a special limited time mode (LTM) introduced by "Fortnite" last September. Teams rush to locate one of four jewels on the map and successfully carry it to a getaway van. Problem is, the getaway vans are all floating in midair, and players will have to build a tower to reach them.

Of course enemies will be waiting to ambush the teams carrying the gem up to the top, but that's part of the fun.

There's a new vehicle called The Baller. It's a small rolling capsule with a grappling... plunger that can be used to swing between buildings.

Vending machines have been around in "Fortnite" for about a year, but now they'll give out one free item with no materials required.

Damage from the heavy assault rifle has been nerfed a bit.

The heavy assault rifle will now do less damage overall, regardless of rarity. The base damage scaling for the Common/Uncommon/Rare variations is now 36/38/40, down from 40/44/48.

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