Fortnite Update 19.00: Release Date, Time, Server Downtime, Chapter 3 & More


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The end of Chapter 2 has just happened and the beginning of Fortnite Chapter 3 is likely just days away, with Update 19.00 bringing us all the incredible content. A landmark occasion will need a huge, groundbreaking update to trigger the chain of events that take us into a new phase in Fortnite's existence.

This update will bring us all sorts of exciting content such as a new map, weapons, NPCs and much, much more.

We've got all the details you need to know ahead of the update including dates, times and expected server downtime.

Latest - Winterfest Files Coming?

As we hit December and Fortnite Update 19.00 approaches, we're expecting to learn a little more about the Winterfest 2021 event.

Files could be uploaded during this update with it set to start shortly after Chapter 3, Season 1 goes live.

Loading Screen Leaked?

Have we seen the first leak of the CHapter 3 loading screen courtesy of @TweaBR? Its much darker colour pallete suggests that this could be the loading screen we are greeted with when the Black Hole returns.

Chapter 3 Confirmed!

We got the official confirmation that Fortnite Chapter 3 is coming next and Season 8 will end on Saturday, 4 December. If you have the Season 8 Battle Pass, you should receive some additional XP due to the Season-ending one day early.

We do not expect Chapter 3 to officially begin until Tuesday, 7 December.

Fortnite Update 19.00 Release Date & Time

We're expecting Fortnite Update 19.00 to take place once the end of Season 8 event finishes on Sunday, 5 December. We do not have an exact time for this yet, but based on previous examples, servers can be expected to go down around 22:30 GMT / 17:30 ET / 15:30 PT.

Fortnite update 19.00 loading screen
click to enlarge

Servers are expected to stay down for close to 48 hours with the game being unplayable in the meantime. The Black Hole is also expected to return during this time. Fortnite is expected to be live and playable again on Tuesday, 7 December.

End of Season Event

While no official details are surrounding the end of Season 8 event just yet, one little detail has slipped out thanks to @TweaBR who claims that the event will be, once again, interactive.

This means that the player will have a role to play as opposed to being just a bystander as events unfold. Just like in Operation Sky Fire, we'll be an active participant in the event which is expected to end with a Black Hole sucking in the island to take us into Chapter 3.

We're yet to see how the community truly feels about this but if the last event is anything to go by, they would much prefer being part of the show rather than just watching what essentially turns into one long cutscene.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Fortnite and More page.