Tag: Fortnite

  • Fortnite x The Simpsons: Explore Springfield Island in New Miniseries

    Fortnite x The Simpsons: Explore Springfield Island in New Miniseries

    Key Takeaways

    1. Springfield Island Map: The Fortnite event features a new map called “Springfield Island” with iconic locations from The Simpsons, including the Nuclear Power Plant and Kamp Krusty.

    2. Nostalgic Content: The event includes throwback jokes, Easter eggs, and a Simpsons-themed Battle Pass with character outfits for Homer, Marge, and others.

    3. Weekly Updates & Storyline: The event has a weekly update schedule with episodic storylines, starting with “Apocalypse D’oh” and culminating in “The Incredible Bulk.”

    4. Victory Cup Tournaments: Players can participate in Springfield-hosted tournaments for cash rewards and earn freebies by linking Disney and Epic accounts.

    5. Engagement through Twitch: Players can earn the “Siiimpsooooons” wrap by watching Fortnite streams on Twitch for a specified time during the event.

    While fans of the GTA-like game, The Simpsons: Hit and Run, have not seen a sequel and have only had a few revivals from modders like the Donut Team, the new Fortnite Simpsons Crossover event, which started on November 1, 2025, seems to fill that gap.

    Springfield Island Takes Center Stage

    This event brings the familiar Fortnite Battle Royale map to life as “Springfield Island,” featuring many well-known spots from the beloved series. Players are dropped into Homer Simpson’s hometown alongside 80 other competitors. Exciting events occur, such as donuts falling from the sky and irate clones roaming the streets. The island is small but has plenty of action, with nine points of interest (POIs) including Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Cletus’ Corn Hole, Kamp Krusty, Burns Manor, Springfield Town Square, Mayor’s Munchies, Donut District, Evergreen Terrace, and Springfield Slurpworks.

    A Nostalgic Experience Awaits

    Each location is packed with throwback jokes and Easter eggs from The Simpsons, like the classic Couch gag featured in the Simpson’s home. In addition, Fortnite has introduced a Simpsons-themed Battle Pass, which includes outfits for characters like Homer, Marge, Flanders, Blinky Fishstick, and Springfieldler Peely for players who work hard to earn XP. Plus, on November 7, Fortnite will release Sidekicks and Peels, which allow players to have customizable companions.

    Weekly Updates and Tournaments

    The Simpsons event will follow a weekly update schedule with episodic entries and tie-in animations. The full lineup includes the currently active “Apocalypse D’oh,” followed by “Sugar High” on November 10, “Multiplidiocy” on November 17, and finally, “The Incredible Bulk” on November 24. The storyline involves Homer discovering the Zero Point Shard, leading to a blend of realities, with Homer using it in a careless manner.

    Moreover, the event features Springfield-hosted Victory Cup tournaments, where players can earn cash rewards for each Victory Royale achieved from Round 2 onward. Players can also snag some freebies, like the Kang and Kodos Glider, by linking their Disney and Epic accounts by November 15.

    Additionally, players can get the “Siiimpsooooons” wrap through Twitch drops by watching Fortnite streams for half an hour on Twitch from November 1 until November 2 at 11:59 PM ET.

    It’s a refreshing twist for Fortnite to roll out a month-long, content-filled update featuring The Simpsons, as previous crossovers have mainly focused on skins, emotes, and cosmetic items, with only slight adjustments to the main Battle Royale map.

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  • Peacemaker Season 2 Twist Leads Fortnite to Remove Emote

    Peacemaker Season 2 Twist Leads Fortnite to Remove Emote

    Key Takeaways

    1. Earth-2 exists in a bleak alternate universe called Earth-X, featuring themes of fascism and white supremacy in Peacemaker Season 2.
    2. Episode 6 reveals a reimagined U.S. flag with a swastika, and the absence of characters of African descent highlights a grim transformation.
    3. Fans have noted subtle hints throughout the season, linking Peacemaker’s dance moves to Nazi imagery and historical propaganda.
    4. Fortnite’s Peaceful Hips emote, inspired by Peacemaker, was removed due to its resemblance to a swastika, leading to significant backlash.
    5. Epic Games is seeking clarification from DC Studios regarding the show’s creative intentions after the controversy surrounding the emote’s removal.

    Peacemaker Season 2 has caused quite a stir in the media and gaming world with its latest announcement that Earth-2 actually exists in a bleak fascist alternate universe referred to as Earth-X. This revelation led to the immediate removal of Fortnite’s Peacemaker Peaceful Hips emote from the game, as it bore a slight resemblance to a Swastika.

    Shocking Imagery

    The sixth episode of Season 2, titled “Ignorance is Chris,” premiered on September 26, 2025. In this episode, both Peacemaker and the audience were confronted with a reimagined U.S. flag that featured a swastika in place of the stars. Compounding the shock was the absence of any characters of African descent, indicating a grim transformation of America into a stronghold of white supremacy.

    Fans Connect the Dots

    Throughout the season, fans have been actively discussing the subtle hints on social media, as the symbolism intensified in pivotal episodes. From the very beginning, John Cena’s Peacemaker danced to Foxy Shazam’s “Oh Lord,” with one of his arm movements momentarily forming a shape reminiscent of a Swastika, echoing Donald Duck’s 1943 Nazi propaganda short where he performed a similar action under duress.

    This was not a coincidence; it was a calculated move by showrunner James Gunn, who kept the details of episode 6 secret even from his close collaborators. This secrecy led to the shocking revelation of the Nazi flag, which left both colleagues and viewers astonished.

    Fortnite’s Quick Response

    This is where Fortnite comes into play. The game introduced the Peacemaker bundle along with the Peaceful Hips emote in the Item Shop for 2,000 V-Bucks, with the emote priced at 400 V-Bucks on its own.

    Epic Games unwittingly recreated the very dance moves from the show. What started as a fun partnership with DC Studios quickly spiraled into a controversial situation, with users online now referring to the dance as the “Nazi Emote.” Caught by surprise, Epic Games, despite its close relationship with Warner Bros. and DC, acted swiftly to remove the emote. On September 28, they released a statement on their Fortnite X account, which has since been deleted:

    “We’re disabling the Peaceful Hips Emote in Fortnite as we look into our partner’s creative intentions for this collaboration. Assuming it won’t return, we’ll provide refunds in the coming days. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

    This situation has led Epic to reach out directly to James Gunn’s DC Studios for clarification, given the showrunner’s secrecy that has left even their partners in the dark about the latter half of the season.

    iFireMonkey – X

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  • Fortnite Creators Can Soon Sell In-Game Items on Roblox

    Fortnite Creators Can Soon Sell In-Game Items on Roblox

    Key Takeaways

    1. Starting December 2025, Fortnite creators can sell digital items for real cash, earning 50% of the V-Bucks value from sales on their islands.
    2. A limited-time promotion will allow creators to keep 100% of sales revenue from December 2025 until the end of 2026.
    3. Creators can earn additional income based on player engagement, sharing 40% of net revenue from Fortnite’s Item Shop through an engagement pool.
    4. From November 2025, creators can promote themselves with real money, with half of the earnings going back into the engagement payout pool.
    5. Epic will introduce Fortnite Creator communities for developers to share updates and connect, with visibility across various game sections.

    Content creators in Fortnite will soon have the opportunity to sell “digital durable and consumable items” that they create in the game for real cash. Beginning December 2025, developers can earn 50% of the V-Bucks value from sales made on their Fortnite islands.

    Special Promotion for Creators

    As a limited-time offer, Fortnite creators will be able to retain 100% of the value from sales from December 2025 until the end of 2026. To calculate the payout for creators in US dollars, Epic will take all real-money spent on V-Bucks during a month, deduct platform fees (which can range from 12% to 30% on current consoles), and then divide that number by the total V-Bucks spent by players.

    On average, this means creators receive about 37% of total revenue at a 50% rate and 74% when at a 100% rate. Developers will need to use Verse-based API and UEFN tools to make their items. Epic pointed out that the payout rate is more favorable than Roblox, which is only 25%.

    Earnings from Player Engagement

    In addition to selling items, Fortnite creators can also earn money based on how players engage with their islands. The current formula for engagement takes 40% of the net revenue from Fortnite’s Item Shop and related real-money purchases and puts it into an engagement pool, which is then shared among creators’ and Epic’s islands.

    Epic announced plans to enhance this system starting November 1, 2025, by rewarding creators for “reengaging inactive players” in Fortnite. These creators will receive 75% of the contributions from those players in the payout pool for the initial six months.

    Promotion and Community Features

    Starting in November, creators will have the option to use real money to promote themselves in a special sponsored area on Discover. Fifty percent of the earnings from these promotions will be added back into the engagement payout pool for all creators. As a part of the special promotion, this rate will temporarily increase to 100% from December 2025 until the end of 2026.

    Epic is also planning to introduce Fortnite Creator communities soon, allowing developers to share updates both on the web and in-game. Creators will have access to community forums, and their posts will be visible across “Island Lobbies, Island Pages, Creator Pages, and a new section in Discover.”

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  • New Fortnite Skin Leak: Peacemaker Season 2 with John Cena

    New Fortnite Skin Leak: Peacemaker Season 2 with John Cena

    Key Takeaways

    1. Peacemaker, played by John Cena, is confirmed to be added to Fortnite, as revealed by data miners HYPEX and Shiina.
    2. The Peacemaker bundle includes his outfit, three helmets, a helmetless version, a back bling featuring Eagly, and emotes like Peaceful Hips and Eat Peace.
    3. Pricing for the bundle is speculated to be between 1,800 and 2,200 V-Bucks, with individual items priced separately.
    4. The Peacemaker skin is expected to be released after the current Power Rangers event and Beavis and Butt-Head crossover, potentially around September 16.
    5. Fan reactions are mixed, with some praising the design while others criticize it, but the addition is anticipated to boost sales in the Item Shop.

    James Gunn’s version of DC’s antihero, played by John Cena, is set to make his way into Fortnite. This was disclosed through a recent data mine that found the character skin in the game’s files. Fortnite leakers HYPEX and Shiina were the ones who decrypted the Peacemaker skin earlier this week, showing that Peacemaker is now on Epic’s game servers.

    New Bundle Details

    The reveal of the Fortnite Peacemaker skin comes at a time when Peacemaker Season 2 is currently airing, which started on HBO Max on August 21, 2025, and has eight episodes in total.

    As per the leaks, the Peacemaker bundle has his outfit along with three different helmets and a version of the skin without a helmet. The bundle also features a back bling showcasing Peacemaker’s sidekick, Eagly, as a cute plush toy. Furthermore, the skin is likely to include emotes such as the Peaceful Hips, inspired by the intro dance from Peacemaker Season 2, as well as the track ‘Oh Lord’ by Foxy Shazam, plus the Eat Peace Emote.

    Pricing Speculations

    Additional items in this bundle are Peacemaker’s shield as a melee weapon and the Clearly Peaceful Weapon skin. Even though Epic Games hasn’t officially announced the Peacemaker skin yet, leaks suggest that the bundle might be priced between 1,800 and 2,200 V-Bucks, while single items could be priced separately: the skin for 1,800, the back bling for 300, and the emotes and weapon wrap for 500 V-Bucks each.

    Fortnite has a long history of collaborations with DC, including skins for Superman, Batman, Harley Quinn, and even John Cena in his WWE character. The Peacemaker skin might be released sometime after the conclusion of Fortnite’s Power Rangers event and the ongoing Beavis and Butt-Head crossover, leading fans to anticipate Peacemaker’s arrival in Fortnite during Chapter 6 Season 4.

    Fan Reactions

    Dataminers think that the skin could appear in the Item Shop as soon as next week, around September 16. However, Epic Games has not made a formal announcement yet.

    The gaming community’s reactions have varied, with some fans commending the skin’s attention to detail, while others criticized it as a “budget John Cena superhero.” Epic Games continues to take advantage of pop culture and comic book collaborations more than any other live service game, and it’s clear that Peacemaker’s addition will likely boost sales in the Item Shop and increase the number of players when the bundle finally drops.

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  • Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney Challenges WSJ on Fortnite Disney Rumors

    Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney Challenges WSJ on Fortnite Disney Rumors

    Key Takeaways

    1. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, disputed a Wall Street Journal report claiming delays in the Fortnite and Disney project “Project Bulldog” due to slow decision-making at Disney.

    2. Sweeney emphasized that collaborations between Disney and Epic Games have been efficient, stating the speed of their partnership is significantly faster than typical media company dealings.

    3. Project Bulldog, revealed in February 2024, aims to create a mode in Fortnite that resembles Disneyland, with a planned launch in fall 2026.

    4. Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Josh D’Amaro is actively leading the project, having recently visited Epic’s headquarters to oversee developments.

    5. Fortnite continues to thrive as a popular battle royale game, achieving a peak of 1,598,655 concurrent players and an all-time high of 14,343,880 players across all platforms.

    Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, has responded to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal, which claimed that Fortnite’s new Disney project, known as “Project Bulldog,” is facing delays due to slow decision-making at Disney.

    Report Details

    The Wall Street Journal, in an article published on August 3, 2025, cited unnamed sources who suggested that the collaboration between Disney and Fortnite had been postponed until 2026. The delay was attributed to the sluggish pace of approvals needed from various Disney departments.

    Sweeney’s Reaction

    Sweeney quickly took to X on August 4 to counter the WSJ’s claims. He stated, “The anonymous quote is BS. The speed of Disney and Epic collaborations like Darth Vader has been awesome and is around 10x the ordinary speed of media company dealings in the business. We even provided a statement to the writer of this article saying so, but they chose not to print it.”

    In February 2024, Fortnite x Disney, or Project Bulldog, was revealed as a joint venture between Epic Games and Disney, supported by Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic. The project aims to introduce a mode reminiscent of Disneyland, although specific details about the upcoming content remain vague.

    Project Leadership

    Led by Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Josh D’Amaro, the project is expected to launch in fall 2026, a timeline that Sweeney did not dispute in his X statement. Disney is known for being protective of its characters and intellectual properties, as seen in past collaborations like the one with Square Enix for Kingdom Hearts.

    D’Amaro is reportedly taking an active role in the project, having visited Epic’s headquarters in North Carolina about a month ago.

    Character Integrations

    Sweeney’s remarks seem credible given the impressive number of character skins, emotes, and items that have made their way into Fortnite from franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar.

    For instance, after the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps Premiere on July 25, 2025, Epic quickly rolled out characters such as Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and The Thing, along with related items like a glider and emotes on the same day.

    Currently, Fortnite stands out as one of the most engaged battle royale games, recording a peak of 1,598,655 concurrent players within a 24-hour period and an all-time high of 14,343,880 players across all platforms as of now.

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  • Dead by Daylight Partners with Popular Franchise for New Content

    Dead by Daylight Partners with Popular Franchise for New Content

    Key Takeaways

    1. Dead By Daylight officially announced a collaboration with The Walking Dead, confirming previous rumors.
    2. Iconic moments from The Walking Dead, like Rick’s hospital scene, are highlighted as part of the crossover.
    3. Players will soon have the chance to play as Rick Grimes and Michonne, though Michonne’s character is temporarily unavailable due to technical issues.
    4. Update 9.1.0 is set to be released on July 29, bringing new gameplay features and bug fixes.
    5. Dead By Daylight has a history of collaborations with major franchises, including Resident Evil and Scream, making this partnership expected.

    Crossovers are quite popular in the gaming industry. A great example is Fortnite, which keeps adding different franchises into its gameplay, making fans very happy. Recently, Dead By Daylight surprised everyone with a significant announcement.

    A Shocking Revelation

    While some might find this news unexpected, others saw it coming. There had been plenty of rumors about a possible collaboration between The Walking Dead and Dead By Daylight. However, this became official just yesterday when Behaviour Interactive shared an image from the show on X, a platform well recognized by fans.

    Iconic Moments

    If you’ve seen the first episode of The Walking Dead, you probably remember Rick standing by a hospital door that says, “Don’t open, dead inside.” The post also included the message: “Together, we endure. Alone, we fall.”

    Gameplay Updates

    This afternoon, further details were shared on Dead By Daylight’s account on X. At first, players will have the chance to take on the roles of Rick Grimes and Michonne during the PTB phase. However, players can’t use Michonne yet because of some technical problems, although her skills are already there. You will need to wait for the arrival of update 9.1.0, which is scheduled for July 29.

    Waiting Games

    More delays might come as fans await update 9.1.0. Currently, players won’t find Rick Grimes and Michonne’s lines available in the PTB, and progress made during this phase won’t be saved. On a positive note, numerous bug fixes and significant gameplay changes have been introduced by the developers.

    Expected Collaborations

    This collaboration isn’t that shocking, as many anticipated it would eventually happen. Since its debut in 2016, Dead By Daylight has teamed up with major gaming franchises like Resident Evil and Tomb Raider, along with horror film icons such as Scream and Halloween.

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  • GNCA Tip Line: Microsoft Recall Bypass & Battery Safety Tips

    GNCA Tip Line: Microsoft Recall Bypass & Battery Safety Tips

    Key Takeaways

    1. Baseus is recalling 55,380 portable battery chargers due to safety issues, including battery swelling and fires.
    2. The Internet Archive faces a lawsuit from major music companies over its digitization project, claiming it’s a threat to fair use and historical access.
    3. The U.S. PIRG Education Fund launched the “Electronic Waste Graveyard” database, highlighting over 100 discontinued tech products contributing to e-waste.
    4. Signal’s new desktop update disables Microsoft’s Recall feature by default, addressing privacy and security concerns for users.
    5. Washington state passed bill HB 1483 to improve consumer access to repair information and tools, marking progress in right to repair legislation across the U.S.

    Shenzhen-based electronics company Baseus is pulling back around 55,380 of its 30,000 mAh 65-watt portable battery chargers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported 76 issues linked to these devices, with 72 cases of battery swelling and four fires—three of which caused damage to property. The affected models have the identification number BS-30KP365 and serial numbers that end with 0–9 or the letter D. Customers can obtain a replacement by providing proof of purchase and photographs of the serial number. This isn’t the first time Baseus faced such problems; in 2024, it recalled 132,000 wireless chargers due to similar fire hazards.

    Legal Challenges for the Internet Archive

    The Internet Archive, well-known for its Wayback Machine and efforts in preserving public records, is currently facing another lawsuit. A group that includes Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Capitol Records is taking action against the non-profit due to its “Great 78 Project,” which digitizes 78 RPM records from the early 20th century. The Archive has described the lawsuit as a significant threat, defending that the project is fair use and provides crucial access to historical materials. This platform is essential for journalists, educators, and engineers. More than 850 musicians and close to 90,000 people who signed a petition are urging for the lawsuit to be dismissed.

    New Database for Electronic Waste

    The U.S. PIRG Education Fund has rolled out an interactive database called “Electronic Waste Graveyard,” which lists over 100 tech products that are no longer in production. This includes PCs, smartphones, wearable tech, and car accessories that have been left behind because of software expiration or the end of cloud services. One notable example is Amazon’s Halo Rise sleep tracker, which was discontinued less than a year after it was launched. According to PIRG, more than 130 million pounds of electronic waste have arisen from such product discontinuations since 2014, with an estimated 1.66 billion pounds expected from Windows 10 PCs after support ends in October 2025.

    Signal Blocks Recall Feature

    The encrypted messaging app Signal has released an update for its desktop application that disables Microsoft’s Recall feature by default. Recall, which is only available on Copilot+ PCs equipped with NPUs, saves continuous screenshots of users’ activities to facilitate AI-driven data retrieval. Critics argue that this feature, although local, creates significant privacy and security risks. Signal’s developers have added a screen security feature that stops Windows 11 from recording chat windows, highlighting Microsoft’s inadequate protection measures as their reason.

    Fortnite Returns to the iOS App Store

    After a prolonged legal dispute regarding in-app purchase limitations, Fortnite is now back on the iOS App Store. The legal issues began in 2020 when Epic Games bypassed Apple’s payment system, leading to its removal from the platform. Courts later decided that Apple must permit developers to inform users of alternative payment methods. Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney views this reinstatement as a win for fairness on platforms, though he acknowledges that further progress is needed on a global scale.

    New Repair Access Legislation in Washington

    Washington state has enacted bill HB 1483, which broadens consumer access to repair information, tools, and parts. Certain exclusions apply to video game consoles, motor vehicles, medical devices, and low Earth orbit broadband equipment manufactured before 2044. This law will come into effect in 2026. Advocacy organizations like iFixit have welcomed the new law, noting that Apple has decided to add iPads to its self-repair program as a result. Now, all 50 states have presented some type of right to repair legislation.

    The first episode of GNCA’s Tipline highlights ongoing trends across various industries—like early product obsolescence, the decline of digital ownership, or regulatory loopholes that big corporations take advantage of. More episodes are on the way. This sort of reporting is what many people need—something that cuts through corporate noise and illustrates how everyday technology problems link to real-world impacts. It’s a means to feel less helpless and more informed, especially in times when it seems like large companies hold all the power.

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  • Fortnite Returns to Apple’s App Store After Five-Year Absence

    Fortnite Returns to Apple’s App Store After Five-Year Absence

    Key Takeaways

    1. Fortnite has returned to the US App Store after a lengthy legal battle between Apple and Epic.
    2. The game was removed in August 2020 for breaching App Store rules related to payment processing.
    3. Epic achieved a partial victory, with Fortnite reinstated in the EU App Store due to new regulations.
    4. Epic plans to launch an official Epic Store app in the EU Play Store by 2025.
    5. Currently, Fortnite is available in the US App Store and EU via the Epic Store, with global availability still uncertain.

    After a long legal fight that lasted several years between Apple and Epic, Fortnite has made its comeback on the US App Store. This follows its return to the EU App Store last year due to new regulations that compelled Apple to change its approach.

    The Reason for Removal

    The well-known battle royale game was taken off the App Store in August 2020 after Apple alleged that Epic had breached store rules by allowing players to buy in-game currency directly through them. The main issue was Apple’s 30% cut on transactions made via the App Store, which Epic argued was not fair. Google also reacted negatively when Epic circumvented their 30% charge, leading to the game’s removal from the Android Play Store.

    A Step Forward

    In a partial win for Epic, the game was reinstated in the EU App Store last year, thanks to changes in the EU Digital Markets Act. This legislation required Apple to accept third-party app stores and different payment methods. Epic has declared plans to launch an official Epic Store app in the EU Play Store by 2025. In the meantime, players can download the game on Android by sideloading the Epic Store app.

    Global Availability of Fortnite

    Currently, the game is only accessible in the US App Store and can be found in the EU region via the Epic Store. Likewise, Google permits sideloading the app through the Epic Store. Fortnite’s official account on X stated that the game will be available in the US App Store and the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the EU. However, it remains uncertain when the game will be available to players across the globe.

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  • Unreal Engine 6: The Future of Game Development Awaits

    Unreal Engine 6: The Future of Game Development Awaits

    Key Takeaways

    1. Multithreading Adoption: Unreal Engine 6 will fully utilize multithreading, improving performance and scalability for games by leveraging modern multi-core processors.

    2. Verse Programming Language: The introduction of Verse, a new programming language, aims to unify development tools for both professionals and hobbyists, ensuring backward compatibility and continuous evolution.

    3. Delayed Release Timeline: A public preview of Unreal Engine 6 is expected in 2027, with the first games launching around late 2028 or early 2029, likely coinciding with the PlayStation 6 release.

    4. Community Skepticism: There is significant skepticism within the gaming community regarding Unreal Engine 6, with concerns about unresolved issues in Unreal Engine 5 and fears of mere rebranding.

    5. Potential for Innovation: Despite skepticism, there is optimism about the advancements Unreal Engine 6 could bring, particularly if true multithreading support is realized, which could enhance game development significantly.

    On April 30, 2025, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic, was featured on the Lex Fridman Podcast. During an extensive discussion lasting almost four hours, various subjects were touched upon, including Fortnite, the Metaverse, and the ongoing legal conflict with Apple. He also shared some initial insights regarding the upcoming phase of Unreal Engine’s evolution. A notable five-minute portion of the conversation (beginning at 3:21:09) gives an exciting preview of what’s to come in game development and raises expectations for groundbreaking technological advancements.

    Major Changes in Multithreading

    One of the most important improvements in Unreal Engine 6 is its complete adoption of multithreading. Currently, Unreal Engine 5 operates on a single CPU core for game simulations, which doesn’t take full advantage of the features offered by today’s 16-core processors. Sweeney pointed out that multithreading has long been too complicated for developers to implement successfully. However, Unreal Engine 6 aims to change this limitation. The potential benefits could be significant – offering steadier frame rates, fewer performance hiccups, and enhanced scalability, particularly for demanding games like Remnant II or Lords of the Fallen, which have faced engine-related challenges in the past.

    Introduction of Verse Programming Language

    Unreal Engine 6 will also bring Verse, a new custom programming language developed by Epic. This language is already being utilized in the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) and is crafted to accommodate both professional developers and hobbyists. The goal is to establish a standardized, backward-compatible platform that will keep evolving with new features, laying the groundwork for UE6 in the long run. With this initiative, Epic intends to combine two previously distinct development tracks – the creator tools and the conventional Unreal Engine – creating a cohesive system that enhances consistency and efficiency across various projects.

    Anticipation for Unreal Engine 6 Release

    For those eager to get an early glimpse of Unreal Engine 6, patience will be required. A public preview is not anticipated until 2027, with the first games expected to launch around late 2028 or early 2029—coinciding with the expected release of the PlayStation 6. Given that Sony holds a 1.5% stake in Epic Games, a strong technical partnership with the PS6 seems likely, potentially featuring exclusive functionalities or first-party titles that fully utilize the new engine from the outset.

    The announcement prompted heated discussions on Reddit, resulting in over 500 comments within just 24 hours—most of which were critical or sarcastic. Many users voiced their concerns about the timing, claiming that Unreal Engine 5 has not yet resolved significant problems like shader stuttering, lengthy loading times, excessive VRAM usage, and subpar performance on high-end PCs. There’s widespread skepticism about Unreal Engine 6, with some fearing it might just be a rebranding of “UE5.5” filled with jargon but lacking real enhancements. Nevertheless, others remain optimistic, particularly if genuine multithreading support materializes. A few defenders of Epic’s drive for innovation noted that several performance issues arise from inexperienced developers instead of the engine itself.

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  • Fortnite Returns to iOS in the US After Epic Games’ Legal Win

    Fortnite Returns to iOS in the US After Epic Games’ Legal Win

    Key Takeaways

    1. Epic Games and Apple have been in a legal dispute since 2020 over Fortnite’s removal from the App Store due to direct payment options.
    2. A recent ruling allows Fortnite to return to iOS after Apple was found in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction.
    3. Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, proposed a deal to drop litigation if Apple extends its new payment framework globally.
    4. The ruling may impact how developers handle in-app purchases and their relationship with Apple in the future.
    5. The conflict has lasted over four years, marking a significant development in the ongoing struggle against Apple’s App Store policies.

    Epic Games and Apple have been engaged in a court dispute since 2020, when Apple took down the Epic Games store from its App Store. This action also removed the widely played battle royale game, Fortnite, from iPhone and iPad users. However, in a ruling on April 30, it has been decided that Fortnite can come back to iOS, as the judge overseeing the case has ruled in favor of Epic Games. Tim Sweeney, the head of Epic Games, shared insights on X, referencing the Digital Markets Act.

    Background of the Dispute

    Fortnite’s removal from the App Store resulted from Epic Games implementing direct payment options for in-app purchases, which would allow them to avoid paying Apple’s 30% commission. The game store then sued the company from Cupertino, claiming that Apple was unfairly forcing developers to adhere strictly to the App Store’s guidelines when sharing content with iOS users. In 2021, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers sided with Epic Games, stating that Apple couldn’t stop developers from including external links; however, Fortnite still didn’t make its way back to the platform.

    Recent Legal Developments

    According to the ruling on April 30, Apple is found to be in “willful violation” of the 2021 injunction, and the court will not accept such defiance. “For this Court, there is no second bite at the apple,” Judge Rogers remarked.

    Sweeney took to X to share the news that following this ruling, Fortnite will reappear on the App Store next week, along with a proposal for peace. He stated, “If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.” After four years, four months, and 17 days, it seems that it’s “Game over for the Apple tax,” Sweeney declared.

    Conclusion

    In summary, the long-standing conflict between Epic Games and Apple has taken a significant turn, with the return of Fortnite to iOS on the horizon. The developments could change how developers approach in-app purchases and their relationship with Apple moving forward.

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