The popular shooter Fortnite: Battle Royale has reinvented itself this week with a limited-time mode. In the “Game of Spies,” players can earn advantages that extend beyond the current match for the first time. Update 12.20 has turned out to be surprisingly strong: players can permanently save cosmetic combinations.
This is special in Fortnite: Fortnite began experimenting with the “Battle Royale” mode early on: this is the mode that turned Fortnite into a global phenomenon starting in September 2017. Fortnite has repeatedly introduced limited-time modes that have varied the core concept of “Battle Royale” to varying degrees:
- some modes brought only slight changes, such as limiting weapon choices
- other modes were bolder and turned the game mechanics upside down
In normal Battle Royale, each player has only one life, and the last one standing wins. Although the concept is extremely popular, it has become somewhat stale after more than 2 years.
Therefore, there have been continuous experiments: In December 2018, Epic introduced strong PvE elements in the “Teamschrecken” mode. This was a completely new experience.
The current mode in the “Game of Spies” is perhaps the biggest deviation from the familiar format in some time. For the first time, players can earn specific advantages that extend beyond the current match.
Players level up and unlock new abilities
This is how the new idea works: In the “Game of Spies,” players choose one of two development trees, either Shadow or Ghost. The conflict between these two organizations has shaped Season 2 of Fortnite so far.
In the tech trees, players have a rank. The higher they progress through playing the limited-time mode, the more bonuses and items become available to them.
At the start, players only have the option to choose between a few simple starter perks:
- There are green weapons (shotguns, assault rifles, submachine guns) or a blue proximity mine
- combined with a skill enhancement – such as “regenerate health while swimming” or a faster crawling speed
However, after completing several matches, players gradually gain access to stronger weapons and abilities. Starting from rank 3 in Ghost, players can choose a perk that gradually fills shields – a significant advantage.
Later, fancy perks and items like a jetpack or double jump are added to the pool.
Players who actively play the mode will quickly build a selection of perks that significantly enhance their strength compared to a new spy.
This is a novelty: Normally, Fortnite is characterized by all players starting a match equally. This remains the case in “normal” Fortnite: Battle Royale – only in the limited-time mode do the new rules apply.
New mode is a significant change to Fortnite Battle Royale
This is how matches currently unfold: Right now, a fast-paced 16vs16 mode is active in the “Game of Spies.” Here, 2 teams shoot each other while trying to get tech and survive the storm.
If a team reaches a new tech level through kills or by looting safes, players receive a new weapon and a new advantage to choose from their permanent perks upon the next respawn.
Fortnite finally picks up speed in Season 2
This is the bigger picture: Regardless, Fortnite is currently making some interesting progress, even without large patch notes or much fanfare:
- Epic is granting players the ability to save permanent outfits as loadouts this week.
- Helicopters are new in the game
- the map has changed a bit again
With Season 2, strong PvE elements also came to Fortnite. Minions and bosses now populate 5 spots on the island. Those who clear them at the start of a match can secure powerful mythical weapons and gain an advantage over other players. However, they also risk being eliminated quickly if their plan fails.
After Season 1 felt generic and dragged on, Fortnite seems to be slowly reinventing itself in Season 2.
