Epic's put together a rundown of the new next-gen features coming to Fortnite on PS5 and Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S at launch, and your battles are about to look a lot prettier.
The next-gen versions of Fortnite for both console families run on "new native" builds rather than updated versions of their last-gen counterparts, according to Epic, allowing them to better use the power of the new consoles. You'll get to enjoy some improvements no matter which console you play on, but they don't all get access to the same benefits. Here's a quick breakdown of what is available where.
New Fortnite features for PS5 and Xbox Series X
- 4K resolution at 60 FPS
- Dynamic visuals and physics
- Faster match loading
- Split screen multiplayer now supports 60 FPS
New Fortnite features exclusively for PS5
- DualSense controller immersion
- Choose your favorite mode from the home screen
New Fortnite features for Xbox Series S
- 1080p resolution at 60 FPS
- Faster match loading
- Split screen multiplayer now supports 60 FPS
Those are mostly self explanatory, but "dynamic visuals and physics" means a more responsive world: trees and grass will sway and blow around in response to explosions, smoke and liquid will be simulated more realistically, and the Storm will look more impressively oppressive.
On PS5, Fortnite will use the DualSense controller's haptic trigger feedback to make ranged weapons feel more distinct. It will also use the new PS5 UI's Activities feature to help you queue up for Solos, Duos, or Squads straight from the dashboard.
That's what will be available at launch day. Epic Games has much bigger changes in store for next year.
The second Fortnite PS5 and Xbox Series upgrade
Fortnite currently runs on Epic’s industry-standard game engine, Unreal Engine 4. Yet in a blog post on the company’s site, the company confirmed that it will be bringing Unreal Engine 5 support to Fortnite in 2021.
“Epic will release Fortnite, built with UE4, on next-gen consoles at launch and, in keeping with the team’s commitment to prove out industry-leading features through internal production, migrate the game to UE5 in mid-2021,” the company stated in a blog post.
The developer was keen to stress that this would not be an entirely new version of the game, however: “This is not a new version of Fortnite. It’s Fortnite optimized to take advantage of the new hardware and features on next-gen consoles,” Epic explained. “How will Fortnite take advantage of next-gen console hardware? While we can’t share specifics at the moment, more powerful hardware will allow us to improve performance and visuals.”
Just like with Fortnite on existing platforms, the 2021 next-gen update will continue to be free to play. With Unreal Engine 5 being Epic’s big new bet for video games, and Fortnite being its flagship franchise, you can bet that the colorful multiplayer game will take full advantage of the engine’s bells and whistles.
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