Epic Games today announced that the long-in-development survival crafting game Fortnite will finally launch with paid early access on July 25, coming to Mac, PC, Xbox One, and PS4. Epic Games creative director Darren Sugg said that Fortnite will eventually "evolve into a free-to-play title during 2018," but for those who want to play the game this summer, a few paid bundles will be up for offer.

There are four tiers that players can choose from to pre-order Fortnite on the game's website, including a Standard Edition ($39.99), Deluxe Edition ($59.99), Super Deluxe Edition ($89.99) and Limited Edition ($149.99). The differences between each tier mainly focus on player-boosting statuses as they get more expensive, including XP boosts, extra inventory slots, and even additional versions of the game for friends.


Anyone who pre-orders will get a four-day head start on everyone else, with access opening up on July 21.

It is our intent that Fortnite will evolve into a free-to-play title during 2018. However, we wanted to give people the opportunity to gain Early Access to the game along with exclusive stuff and in-game events that come with Founder’s Packs.

So if you want to come hang out with some cool folks, get tons of cool loot, and help make Fortnite more awesome … jump on board and help us build the community. Still not sure? That's cool too. You decide when you want to jump onto the train. We mean it. No BS. We will be here when you are ready to build kick-ass forts with your friends!

The game itself is a survival experience where players spend the daytime looting materials to build forts, which will eventually provide some form of protection from enemies as nighttime falls. Players can build any kind of fort they desire with the game's deep editing tools, and defend themselves with a selection of long- and close-range weapons like sniper rifles, rocket launchers, lasers, katanas, and shotguns.

There are four core classes in Fortnite, including Outlanders, Soldiers, Ninjas, and Constructors, which encourage teamwork among players as they try to survive. Sugg said that the Fortnite team plans to add new content "monthly(ish)," to the game across all platforms, with events, new heroes, new creatures, traps, and weapons.

Epic Games revealed Fortnite in December of 2011, and showcased the game onstage during Apple's WWDC keynote in 2015. During the demo, Fortnite was used as an example of the graphics prowess offered by Metal, which Apple had just debuted at the time on Mac. Epic Games also released a trailer for the game that year using footage captured with a Mac Pro.


For more information on Fortnite, check out the game's website, which includes a look into the world of the game as well as its characters.

Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
108 months ago
Just another game that promotes violence and makes weapons "fun". These game companies are ignoring how the constant exposure to this is not good for young people. But yah, I know what you'll say... "not me, so what's the problem?"
Then don’t let your kids play it. Simple. Parental controls.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
108 months ago
Just another game that promotes violence and makes weapons "fun". These game companies are ignoring how the constant exposure to this is not good for young people. But yah, I know what you'll say... "not me, so what's the problem?"
I read something that talked about how previously before video games people blamed violence on movies, and before movies tv, and believe it or not books were blamed for violence before tv.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
linkmaster02 Avatar
108 months ago
It's amazing how much time people seem to have to spend to play games.
I hardly have time to catch up the 6 daily card games in Solitaire.
But nonetheless, very impressive game.
If you look at how much time the average person spends watching TV, there's definitely enough time for games. If it's what you enjoy, you make time for it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stella Avatar
108 months ago
Just another game that promotes violence and makes weapons "fun". These game companies are ignoring how the constant exposure to this is not good for young people. But yah, I know what you'll say... "not me, so what's the problem?"
If you don't like it, don't buy. Simple.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Janichsan Avatar
108 months ago
Oh dear... the game seems rife with microtransactions. No, thanks.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
star-affinity Avatar
108 months ago
I read something that talked about how previously before video games people blamed violence on movies, and before movies tv, and believe it or not books were blamed for violence before tv.
I'm quite certain the vast majority can separate reality from a video game. I do think it might be more difficult when we move into the realm of VR in conjunction with more and more realistic graphics. So we shall of course always try to talk to the kids and teach them the importance of empathy.

I would't complain if we only had guns in video games and none in real life. I think it's quite fun to shoot things in a virtual world, but I don't even like touching a gun in reality.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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