Fortnite goes first-person with Ballistic, a 5v5 tactical shooter

Epic Games announced that Fortnite goes first-person with Fortnite Ballistic, a 5v5 multiplayer tactical shooter.

The title will launch into early access on December 11 with both ranked and unrated play. Ballistic is intended to be an adrenaline-filled 5v5 competitive game mode, where strategy, tactical teamwork and individual prowess are essential for victory.

Ballistic launches with the Skyline 10 map, a starting set of weapons, and a limited number of items. Adjustments will be made post-launch based on player feedback, in addition to major updates such as new maps, weapons and features.

All saved presets from your locker will carry over into Ballistic, which supports existing Fortnite Outfits, Back Blings, Kicks, Wraps, Sprays, and Emotes. Pickaxes, contrails, instruments, vehicles and jamming trails are not used/supported.

At launch, Ballistic will be available on all platforms and regions where Fortnite is supported, with the exception of South Korea and Russia. Epic Games is working to make Ballistic available in both regions and will provide an update when we have news to share.

Turn by turn

In Ballistic, players are divided into two teams at the start of the match: attackers and defenders. Attackers aim to install a reality-ripping Rift Point device at one of two locations on the map, while defenders do their best to prevent the device from being installed and detonated.

There are no respawns in Ballistic – a round is over if the Rift Point Device explodes or one of the teams is completely eliminated. After six rounds, players will switch sides, giving defenders a chance to become attackers and vice versa. The game is over when one of the teams has won seven rounds in total.

Ballistic is launching in Early Access with the Skyline 10 map, with more maps coming in the future.

Go ballistic

On the purchase screen, you will select your weapon loadout for each round.

You will start the game with a Ranger pistol and 800 credits. In Ballistic, credits can be earned by scoring kills and planting the Rift Point Device, and spent during a match at the start of each round to purchase additional items and weapons to increase your chances of success.

Survive one round and you'll keep all your gear and shields for the next one, minus any consumable items you used. You can drop weapons, smoke grenades and flashbangs for your teammates at any time, and collect them from eliminated players.

The Rift Point Device takes 45 seconds to explode after being planted. If successfully defended, you will need to move a good distance away or risk being eliminated within the device's blast radius. Being eliminated by the explosion means losing any equipment you may have.

You can check the scoreboard at any time during a ballistic match to see how you and your teammates are doing, and know what weapons and items your teammates are working with.