Fortnite, the popular battle royale game developed by Epic Games, has introduced a highly anticipated new feature in its latest update. Starting with version 24.40, players can now participate in Ranked play in both Fortnite Battle Royale and Zero Build modes. This addition aims to provide a more competitive experience for players who are looking to test their skills and climb the ranks.
The introduction of Ranked play in Fortnite begins with the launch of Ranked Season Zero. Season Zero will last until the end of Battle Royale Chapter 4 Season 3 and serves as a testing phase to address any issues and gather player feedback. During this period, Epic Games will also work on additional features and improvements that will enhance the overall Ranked experience when it follows the regular Fortnite Battle Royale Season schedule.
To ensure fairness and competitiveness, Ranked play in Fortnite is divided into various ranks. These ranks include Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Elite, Champion, and Unreal. Bronze through Diamond consist of three ranks each, while Elite, Champion, and Unreal have one rank each. Players will have the opportunity to progress through the ranks, starting from Silver and aiming for higher ranks such as Gold, Platinum, and beyond.
Both Battle Royale and Zero Build modes support Ranked play. Players will have separate ranks for each mode, allowing them to showcase their skills in different game variations. The gameplay mechanics and loot available in Ranked matches will be identical to those in traditional Battle Royale and Zero Build modes, ensuring a consistent experience for all players.
When players participate in Ranked matches, they will have the opportunity to complete Ranked Urgent Quests, which will unlock exclusive seasonal cosmetic rewards. These rewards serve as incentives for players to engage in Ranked play and showcase their dedication and skill. In Season Zero, the final cosmetic reward is the Burn Bright Emote, which players can activate to display their current rank color, whether it’s Bronze, Silver, Gold, or beyond.
Ranking up in Fortnite’s Ranked play is a reflection of a player’s performance and progress. In the game’s lobby, players will see their current rank displayed on the left side of the screen, along with a progress bar indicating their advancement towards the next rank or the possibility of moving down to a lower rank. The progress bar’s movement is determined by factors such as match placement, eliminations, and the ranks of the eliminated players. Teams will be treated as a single unit, and progress will be calculated based on team performance.
Ranked play in Fortnite supports various modes to cater to different player preferences. In version 24.40, Battle Royale Solo, Duos, and Squads are available for Ranked play, along with Zero Build Duos. Each mode has its own separate ranking system, allowing players to specialize in their preferred game mode and showcase their skills accordingly.
Matchmaking in Ranked play is designed to ensure fair and balanced matches. In Solo mode, players will be matched against opponents of similar rank. For Duos and Squads, the team will have a “party rank” equivalent to the highest-ranked teammate. Matchmaking will then pair the team against opponents of similar party rank. Individual rank progression will still be considered, and the progress bar movement will be based on both individual and team performance.
Ranked matches in Fortnite have no gameplay differences compared to non-ranked matches. All loot and other gameplay features available in traditional Battle Royale and Zero Build modes will also be enabled in Ranked Season Zero. Epic Games will closely monitor and evaluate the Ranked player experience to ensure a balanced and fair competitive environment. However, a few balance changes have been made in version 24.40, including a decrease in material caps from 999 to 500, slightly increased harvesting rates, and players dropping 50 of each material when eliminated.
Fortnite’s Ranked play is not exclusive to experienced Fortnite players. It is designed to accommodate both new and veteran players alike. However, new players will need to complete a specific quest, which involves outlasting 500 opponents, before they can enable the Ranked option. This requirement ensures that new players have a basic understanding of the game mechanics before diving into the competitive ranked matches.
Playing in Ranked matches not only provides a competitive environment but also offers in-game rewards. Each time players enter a Ranked match, they receive a Ranked Urgent Quest. By completing these quests, players can unlock seasonal cosmetic rewards. A new Ranked Urgent Quest is provided in every match, allowing players to continuously progress and earn rewards. The final cosmetic reward for Season Zero is the Burn Bright Emote, which allows players to showcase their rank color.
With the introduction of Ranked play, there will be some changes to the competitive landscape in Fortnite. Arena mode, which was previously available for competitive play, will be discontinued in version 24.40. Moving forward, a player’s rank will become an eligibility requirement for Epic-hosted tournaments, including Icon Series Cups and FNCS competitions. Specific rank requirements for each tournament will be outlined in the official rules.
In addition to the Ranked play update, version 24.40 brings some significant balance changes to Fortnite. Material caps have been reduced from 999 to 500, encouraging players to make strategic decisions regarding resource management. Harvesting rates have also been slightly increased to improve the overall gameplay experience. Furthermore, players will drop 50 of each material when eliminated, adding a new dynamic to the game’s resource economy.
Epic Games has been actively working to address various bugs and issues in Fortnite. Version 24.40 includes bug fixes for problems such as rocks on the Battle Royale Island not providing enough materials, healing issues with Slurp Juice, and visual glitches with certain outfits. These bug fixes contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable gameplay experience for all players.
In an update on May 16th, Epic Games announced that the Trios mode will be vaulted in both Battle Royale and Zero Build modes. This change is aimed at streamlining and optimizing the available game modes, providing a more focused and balanced gameplay experience.
Furthermore, starting from May 17th, cosmetic streaming has been introduced for mobile and PC players. By default, cosmetic items will be streamed as players encounter them, reducing the initial download size and allowing players to access the game faster. However, players still have control over the installation of high-resolution textures, with PC players having the option to download all high-resolution textures at once or disable cosmetic streaming through the game’s settings.
Overall, the introduction of Ranked play in Fortnite Battle Royale and Zero Build modes brings a new level of competitiveness and rewards to the game. With a range of ranks to climb and exclusive cosmetic rewards to unlock, players can showcase their skills and strive to become some of the best players in the world. As Epic Games continues to refine the Ranked experience and make adjustments based on player feedback, Fortnite’s competitive scene is set to evolve and provide an engaging and rewarding experience for players of all skill levels.
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