Skip to main content

‘Fortnite’ Playground Mode adds squad selection in its July 25 return

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fortnite: Battle Royale‘s Playground Mode only appeared for about a week before Epic took it down on July 12 while promising it would return. Well, it turns out that Playground will come back sooner rather than later. Epic announced on Twitter that an improved Playground Mode will enter the fray on July 25 (tomorrow!).

Epic hasn’t said much about what to expect with this second iteration of Playground mode. We do know that you’ll have the freedom to link up in squads this time around. Epic previously stated that it wanted to add 1v1 and 2v2 team options to the mode.

Recommended Videos

The lack of team selection appeared to play a big part in Epic taking down the game mode so quickly earlier this month. Since all players were technically teammates, users had free reign to edit any structure they wanted. As a mode designed for experimentation, you can see how annoying it could be if another player dismantles a structure you spent a lot of time working on.

The return of Playground also brings the new ATK Kart onto the map. This may not sound like a big deal, but for those who like designing elaborate structures, the ATK seems like the perfect vehicle for stunts and racing. Mario Kart in Fortnite, anyone?

Playground mode first arrived as a limited-time game mode. Epic hasn’t directly said how long it will stay this time around, but when it was taken down, it sure sounded like Epic plans to make Playground a full-time feature down the road.

Playground Mode arrives as part of patch 5.10. Epic is celebrating Fortnite‘s first birthday with three limited-time challenges that, if completed, unlock a birthday-themed cosmetic set. It shouldn’t be too hard to complete these challenges. Players who want the birthday set will have to play 14 matches, deal 1,000 damage to opponents, and dance by 10 birthday cakes.

The last big piece of content arriving in the latest Season 5 patch is a new legendary weapon, the Compact SMG, a high capacity, fast-firing firearm that excels in close range combat.

For those select few who venture outside of Fortnite: Battle Royale and into the Save the World campaign, Epic is adding a new set of quests for the game’s one-year anniversary celebration. Players have the chance to unlock a birthday-themed llama with event tickets earned throughout the quests.

Steven Petite
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Steven is a writer from Northeast Ohio currently based in Louisiana. He writes about video games and books, and consumes…
Fortnite’s overhauled battle pass system will make your life easier
The Device event in Fortnite Chapter 2

Fortnite players will see a big change to how they gain experience starting in December. Epic Games announced Monday that it's simplifying progress so that players can earn experience toward all three battle passes at once.

This battle pass for the battle royale portion already works like this: You can earn experience to progress through the battle pass track by playing in any Fortnite section. However, this wasn't the case with the Festival and Lego passes for Fortnite Festival and Lego Fortnite, respectively. That's changing after the current seasons and passes end later this year.

Read more
Fortnite is back on mobile, but there are a few catches
The Epic Games Store app on two phones. You can see Fortnite and Fall Guys ready for download.

Fortnite is one step closer to being fully back on mobile devices. Epic Games revealed Friday that its store app is now available on Android devices and on iOS in the EU.

This isn't the full Epic Games Store, but it's launching with Fall Guys for mobile, Rocket League Sideswipe, and, of course, Fortnite, with more apps to come. The storefront is also now on third-party mobile stores like AltStore PAL, and there are plans to bring it to others in the future.

Read more
The first Fortnite x Disney collaboration features a bunch of skins and Doctor Doom
Wolverine in his blue and yellow suit ready to fight with his claws out, except he's Peely from Fortnite

Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 4 - Absolute Doom | Official Season Trailer

Disney's $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games' Fortnite is starting to take shape. The battle royale game had a special showcase at this weekend's D23 Expo (also streamed in Fortnite, of course) that revealed an upcoming season event and tons of skins.

Read more