Epic Games clearly wants Fortnite to be anything and everything, and its latest game mode appears to be a step into the competitive FPS space.
I know Fortnite is competitive by nature, given the whole number one victory royale thing, yes Fortnite we’re going to call it a day, but Epic just announced a novel mode that goes back to basics when it comes to shooting games: Ballistic. This novel “Fortnite experience,” as Epic likes to call it, puts you in a “round-based 5v5 competitive mode where strategy, tactical teamwork, and individual skill are essential to victory.” The most essential thing is that unlike Battle Royale, this one is played entirely from a first-person perspective, which is obviously a gigantic change for a ridiculously popular shooter.
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“In Ballistic, players are divided into two teams at the beginning of the match: attackers and defenders,” explains Epic. “Attackers want to plant a reality-disrupting Rift Point device in one of two locations on the map, while defenders do everything in their power to thwart the device’s planting and detonation. There are no respawns in Ballistic – the round ends if the Rift Point Device explodes or either team is completely eliminated. After 6 rounds, players switch sides, giving the defenders a chance to be attackers and vice versa. The game ends when either team wins 7 total rounds!
Speed appears to be the game’s goal, with players starting each game with a Ranger pistol and 800 credits. “In Ballistic, you can earn Credits by scoring eliminations and planting a Rift Point Device, and then spend them throughout the match at the start of each round on additional items and weapons to increase your chances of success.” Basically think of Valorant or Counter-Strike. Ranked and unranked options are also available, but this mode is an early access experience, so don’t expect everything to go smoothly right away.
If this suits you, you don’t have to wait long, as the premiere is scheduled to take place in just a few days, on December 11. I’m just wondering what genre of Fortnite will be next – I’m betting on fighting games.
