With Fortnite, developer Epic has announced an experiment. With update 6.20, gliders will function differently and can open a second time. This will make the Limited Time Mode “Soaring” the new normal for a week. Fans are concerned: Will there be no fall damage anymore?
This is the experiment: When update 6.20 goes live in Fortnite, players will be able to reopen gliders if they are at least three floors, about 10 meters, high in the air. The glider will open upon pressing a button.
So far, this was only possible in a special mode “Soaring”. With update 6.20, reopening the glider will be possible in all game modes. The special feature of the Limited Time Mode back then will thus become the new norm.
This applies to Solo, Duo, or Squad matches. The experiment will last for a week initially.
This is the old mode: The mode “Soaring 50’s” arrived with patch 5.21 on August 15, 2018. However, this was only a mode for 50 players – the new normal will be open to all. The other features of the mode, such as more jump pads, will not be included.
Does Fortnite eliminate fall damage with this?
The main impact of the experiment: The change will significantly reduce fall damage, because players can just float again when they would otherwise fall to their death.
However, this could also make Fortnite significantly more dynamic. If you wanted to pull off insane air stunts with the glider in the past, you had to get a launch pad in Fortnite.
This is what Epic wants to learn: Epic wants to know how one such mechanic affects the game.
When will update 6.20 come? This is still not entirely clear at the moment. However, the update could be rolled out on Wednesday morning, October 24, between 10:00 and 12:00 noon.
Fans initially skeptical
How players are reacting: The “Glider Deploy Test” is already provoking some reactions in the reddit forum.
- It seems clear that this change removes fall damage from the game unless you fall awkwardly on a slope; otherwise, players would always be able to avoid fall damage.
- There are concerns that it may become unnecessary to destroy enemy buildings, as they will not fall to their death but simply glide away.
- Some find this effect good in special modes but are unsure if they want the glider to reopen in all modes; they fear it could make Fortnite “too cozy.”
- Overall, it seems the change is viewed more critically and fans are initially skeptical.
But if it turns out terrible, Epic will surely reverse the change quickly. In any case, the test is only scheduled for one week.
This is what else is happening in Fortnite right now:
