Fortnite New Season Showdown Launches Today With New Map and Skins

According to Mirror, Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2 “Showdown” launches today, March 19, bringing a fresh update across all platforms. The new season introduces map changes, a revamped Battle Pass, and several gameplay additions.

New Fortnite season brings map changes and Battle Pass content

The “Showdown” season refreshes the island with new points of interest, including the Ice King’s Palace. This new location ties directly into the return of the Ice King, who joins the latest Battle Pass lineup.

The Battle Pass also features new skins and rewards, including the return of Dwayne Johnson as The Foundation. A new version of Jules is also part of the unlockable content, giving players more customization options throughout the season.

New weapon and Rivalry system teased

Season 2 adds new gameplay elements, including the Super Shredder, a hybrid weapon that combines shotgun and sniper mechanics. This weapon aims to offer versatility in both close-range and long-distance encounters.

Epic Games also teased a new Rivalry system in the official trailer. While full details remain unclear, the system appears to introduce competitive dynamics between players during matches.

Release timing and platform availability

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Players on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S were able to pre-load the update ahead of launch.

Servers went offline at 6am GMT (11pm PDT / 2am EDT / 7am CET), with maintenance expected to last around five hours. The estimated launch time for the new season is 11am GMT (4am PDT / 7am EDT / 12pm CET).

In other gaming updates, Highguard developers have begun issuing refunds as the game shuts down. Meanwhile, Crimson Desert reportedly reached 400,000 pre-orders on Steam.

Additionally, reports suggest that the PC version of Death Stranding 2 has leaked online ahead of release.