With the v40.20 update coming up for Reload, an all-new map called Elite Stronghold has arrived.
The island is a competitive playground packed with new POIs, weapons, an updated map rotation, quests, and a brand-new Ranked season. Below is the full rundown on what you can expect and some of the design inspiration behind this update.
THE ELITE STRONGHOLD
The Elite Stronghold (Elite Amory concept art above) has a Nordic-inspired look: snowy and rocky in the center, mossy fields dotted with pines on the outer edges, and a boggy area where the melt leaves behind that muddy vibe.
During development, we had many discussions about the specific shades of green used for the grass, how the snow might make mud appear in certain areas, and even how various shades of grey (rocks and mud) could influence how players might maneuver around the stronghold. These sorts of decisions, alongside play patterns, map flow, memory, and more, are all vital to the creation of a new Reload map level design.
MAJOR POIs
For Elite Stronghold, we’ve introduced a new ‘building kit’ for Reload. In development terms, a building kit means we’ve created new material types and props to piece together wholly unique structures that make up an entire POI. This started with some initial concepts, like the one of the Elite Armory up above, and then translated into prop creation.
We wanted the kit to have its own flavor, and we often described the direction as ‘industrial’ leaning, but the kit was designed with a modular feel. This helped establish a clear lens of how we approached structural design and art feedback rounds during its creation.
Elite Armory: One of the key focal points on the island. The Armory houses some of the Elites' biggest, baddest weapons and other valuable, exotic finds. It has a sprawling layout, with a centrally located building serving as the hub.
Top Tier Training: A serious training ground with a dynamically alternating ‘combat room’ from match-to-match; you may notice the similarities to another mode (Arenas). You’ll also find shooting ranges, workout areas, and hovering platforms fit for training the best of the best.
Hostile Hold: A fortified prison setup complete with watchtowers, a prison yard, security checkpoints, cell blocks, and loading bays. The gameplay design focus here is more intimate and isolated, borrowing from familiarity from BR seasons past.
Elite Experiments: We took inspiration from Supernova Academy when we initially sought out to develop this POI. The more industrialized look provides a rather stark visual contrast to that vision, but some layout similarities carry over within the interiors.
Chiseled Cubes: A former mining operation that’s half above ground and half inside a cave network, complete with shaft buildings, scaffolding, catwalks, and big rigs.
And More… Explore the island well - let us know what you find!
NEW WEAPONS, NEW LOOT POOL
We try to approach every loot pool refresh with a mix of classics, fan-favorites, and, more recently, we’re taking a crack at new weapons like the ones above.
Cube Rifle (available Elite Stronghold launch): Dual-mode beast inspired by an iconic Epic Games weapon – the Shock Rifle. Primary fire is a hitscan rail beam. The secondary fire launches a slower-moving, mini-cube that you can detonate using the primary beam for big damage, build destruction, and knockback.
Cube Splitter (landing in v40.30): Fast-firing SMG that attaches growing miniature cubes to opponents on hit. They build up and explode after a short time. You may notice that the Reload animation for this feels different from other weapons in Fortnite. This was such a prominent discussion amongst the dev team because we wanted to stay true to the idea of ‘splitting’ the ammo. Rather extensive process with quite a bit of iteration! Can’t wait for you all to check it out in action!
Several New Unvaults: The Holo Twister appears in Reload for the first time ever; meanwhile, the Wrecker Revolver, Combat SMG, and Gatekeeper make their way to the field. Slapperoni Pizza and the Seven Power Gloves are among a few other items being added when the Cube Splitter arrives in 40.30.
And yes, there are a few new “dev” chests if you’re lucky enough to find them.
QUESTS & MAP MASTERY PART II
With the release of Elite Stronghold, we’ve refreshed the Map Mastery Quests, now featuring a full set of Elite-themed rewards. You’ll be able to earn:
Sprays: Jules the Fixer and Determined Daigo
Emoticons: Stay Elite and Gud
Wrap: Elite Issues
Emote: Re-Loading
Map Mastery quests are designed with extra challenge in mind, specific to Reload. Consistently perform well both in placement and in eliminating opponents to earn a reward. These quests can be completed in any Unranked or Ranked Reload playlist. After Elite Stronghold exits its solo rotation period, you’ll be able to complete the other Map Mastery quests.
We’ve also added a set of “Elite Stronghold” quests where you can unlock the Elite Stronghold Key Art as a Loading Screen.
NEW RANKED SEASON
Ranks have been reset with updated tiers in Elite and Champion (plus some new color tweaks). Also, just like in BR, Reload now has merged Ranked progression for Build and Zero Build.
New Reload Ranked Rewards include:
Gold: Tough Triggerfish Spray
Platinum: Banner Icon
Diamond: Triggerfish Alert Emoticon
Elite: Reloaded Seven Axe Pickaxe
Champion: Daigo’s Tech Wrap
Unreal: Reloaded Seven Axe (Charged)
NEW RELOAD MAP ROTATION
Elite Stronghold will enter the Map Rotation in v40.30, and it will be joining the following rotation for Ranked and Unranked:
Elite Stronghold
Venture
Slurp Rush
We’ll see you on Elite Stronghold!
