Fortnite Close Encounters LTM: Everything You Need To Know

Earlier this week, jetpacks were released in Fortnite, after being teased months ago. They can only be found in chests and are hard to come by, but luckily everyone will be able to get to grips with the new backpack item in the upcoming Close Encounters mode. It starts on May 25 - this Friday - and will only contain jetpacks, and all types of shotgun. This includes both the uncommon and rare pump shotgun, the common, uncommon and rare tactical shotgun, and the epic and legendary heavy shotgun.

As is the case in the main modes, the pump and tactical shotguns cannot be found in chests, only as floor loot. Heavy shotguns and jetpacks are in chests though, along with healing item and materials as usual. The storm will also move in quicker in the mid game, meaning games will be over slightly faster - Epic reckons each game will be approximately 15 minutes. Stats will also be enabled for this mode.

The Close Encounters mode will run alongside the Solid Gold one which launched earlier this week, while 50v50 v2 will rotate out, but will no doubt return at some point. Some players have made a valid case on Reddit for 50v50 to stay as a fourth, permanent game mode, but Epic are yet to comment on the idea.

Here’s everything you need to know in bullet point form:

Starts on Friday, May 25

Only jetpacks and shotguns

Storm moves quicker in the mid-game

Stats are enabled

Elsewhere in Fortnite, we’ve got a guide to finding the hidden battle pass tier this week, along with all the details on the Pro-Am tournament announced for E3 2018. You can read Epic's full blog post on the new mode here.