Fortnite 11.50 Update patch notes: Chaos physics system, Launch Pads, more

Epic Games have released what is expected to be the final patch of Fortnite Chapter 2, Season 1, as the v11.50 Update goes live on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

Over the course of Chapter 1, Fortnite fans grew accustomed to weekly and fortnightly updates to the game, but in Chapter 2 these patches have been much less consistent, while the season itself has been the longest in the game’s history.

There have only been three patches released since the start of December – the last one, v11.40, coming on January 15, the first and only update of 2020 so far.

Finally, Epic Games have released a brand-new patch for the game, with the 11.50 Update going live on all devices on Wednesday, February 5, bringing with it a brand-new engine, and the release of a new event to tide players over as they wait for the second season of Chapter 2 to start on February 20.

New Unreal Chaos Engine

The headline change in this patch is the introduction of a new engine, which will see Fortnite switch to Unreal Engine’s Chaos physics engine, and mark the first time the popular battle royale title has undergone a change like this.

Almost every environment and prop has been updated in the v11.50 update to work with the Chaos physics engine, including buildings, vehicles, and even things you find randomly in the game like bushes, trees, lamp posts, and more.

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Just as Epic mentioned in their initial announcement post for this change, there will be “some bumps along the way,” so players should keep that in mind if they experience issues with the new engine.

Launch Pads return

Launch Pads are one of the most popular items in Fortnite’s history, and with the release of the 11.50 Update, the mobility items return to the game after being vaulted at the start of Chapter 2.

Launch Pads are trap items than can be placed on any flat surface, which when jumped on can send players flying into the sky to allow easy rotation. These items will only be available in non-competitive playlists.

New Valentines Day event

With Chapter 2, Season 1 set to last four months from start to finish, it’s no surprise that players have started to become a little bored of the current iteration of the game, and with Epic delaying the new season until February 20 thanks to the launch of the Chaos physics engine, the developers have introduced a special event to give players something to do in the meantime.

Fortnite events often celebrate the time of year, and with St. Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Epic have added a special event that’s sure to bring a dollop of love and romance to the game, complete with special challenges and some Valentines-themed cosmetic items. There’s also a new Limited Time Mode named “Love And War” for players to sink their teeth into.

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On top of that, there are also more sets of Overtime challenges on the way, so if you haven’t completed your Battle Pass yet and are still grinding towards the Tier 100 skin, you have plenty of opportunities to earn even more XP before the season ends.

Harley Quinn Birds of Prey crossover

Fortnite fans who are excited for the release for the upcoming Birds of Prey movie can get their hands on a brand-new Harley Quinn skin that’s coming to the game, joining her long-time nemesis Batman as characters from DC Comics who have their likeness in the game.

Those who acquire the skin can also unlock a special skin style by completing any three of the five Birds of Prey challenges, which have been leaked by data miner HYPEX.

Bug Fixes

As always, the developers have addressed some glitches that have been affecting the game, including one bug that was causing console players to have difficulties finding matches when linking their Epic Games account to their Xbox Live or PlayStation Network profiles.

On top of that, anyone who has been struggling to complete the Rippley vs Sludge or Chaos Rising Missions can finally tick those off after today’s update, as fixes have been pushed that will allow players to complete the “Earn Gold Scavenger Medals” and “Search Chests in a single match” tasks that weren’t recording progress correctly.

Fortnite 11.50 update patch notes

While the full patch notes for this update won’t be available until after the downtime, we’ve found information on the official Fortnite Trello page that reveals some of what will be included.

BATTLE ROYALE

• Sidegrading feature is now disabled in competitive playlists (Arena & tournaments).
• Fixed issue causing new console players to have matchmaking issues when first linking their account.
• Progress for “Earn Gold Scavenger Medals” Rippley vs. Sludge Overtime Challenge now tracks properly.
• Completion of “Search Chests in a single match” Chaos Rising Challenge after completing the “Save yourself from fall damage by landing in a Hideout” Trick Shot Challenge.

CREATIVE MODE

• Fixed issue causing players to be unable to shoot their weapons or aim down sights after new round starts in round-based games.
• Fixed issue causing some players to be unable to aim down sights after being eliminated in a Creative match.