Fortnite Launches Into Paid Early Access, Shows Off New Trailer

[ffronw]

Fortnite Launches Into Paid Early Access, Shows Off New Trailer

After years in development, Fortnite is now available to play in paid early access.

Epic Games showed off Fortnite for the first time way back in 2011 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/114682-Epic-Games-Unveils-Fortnite]. Fast forward to today, and the hybrid third-person shooter / survival, tower defense game is finally launching, even if it is only going into Early Access. There's also a shin new launch trailer.


To play right now, you'll have to purchase the game, which will set you back $40 for the standard edition. There are plenty of other versions with higher price tags, like Deluxe ($60), Super Deluxe ($80), and Limited ($150).Each of those packs in extra goodies, including weapons, hero characters, and even extra copies of the base game to give your friends.

If throwing down cash right now isn't your thing, Fortnite will get a full, free-to-play launch next year. If you want to buy in now, you can head over to the Epic Games website [https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/buy-now/deluxe] to choose your platform and edition.

Want to know if your PC can run it? Here are the very modest system requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

GPU: Intel HD 4000
CPU: Core i3 2.4 Ghz
RAM: 4 GB
OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit + Mac OSX Sierra

Recommended Requirements:

GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 equivalent DX11 GPU
VRAM: 2 GB
CPU: Core i5 2.8 Ghz
RAM: 8 GB
OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit

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[TilMorrow]

So is it just me or does this feel like the shiftiest deal possible? I mean I get paying early access for a game that's still in development even if it's a bit questionable (though I don't know how much more in development you can be if going by some players the game's barely changed in 4 years time and the only addition has been the lootbox stuff) but paying for early access to what is going to be a F2P on "release" just rubs me the wrong way. Not to mention that most of the "value" that comes from each of the purchase tiers comes in the form of gamble loot boxes (which contain varying levels of weaponry so P2W confirm when the real money purchases become available) and some of the higher tiers just slaps in an extra standard edition pass which you can pass on to a friend so they can join you in matches where people don't bother to build forts anymore already and just gun down all the enemies, well at least according the experience of some early adopters.

 

[Bindal]

So is it just me or does this feel like the shiftiest deal possible?

It feels like it, but I partially blame the marketing where they call it "Paid Early Access". In the end, these versions are just going to be what other F2P games offer in their various "Founder Packs" or "Starter Packs", just with a different name. And giving those people access to the game before proper release doesn't seem too unfair, but it sounds very shady the way they market it.

 

[sXeth]

so they can join you in matches where people don't bother to build forts anymore already and just gun down all the enemies, well at least according the experience of some early adopters.

Value propositions are up to personal taste, but to the qupted point, that's only viable in the extreme early game missions/areas. Even there, its only mostly possible because Founder packs or whatever gave people a bunch of heroes/gear before they'd accrue it naturally.

 

[Clankenbeard]

There's also a shin new launch trailer.

I tripped on this and hurt my shin.

OT: This game looks intriguing. Looks like a TF2/7 Days to Die/Dungeon Defenders/Orcs Must Die sort of mashup. I'll probably check it out. But probably not in paid early release. We'll see.

 

[Loop Stricken]

but paying for early access to what is going to be a F2P on "release" just rubs me the wrong way.

That's pretty much the reason I passed on it despite how fun my subscribed YTers make it seem.

Well, that and my poverty.

 

[SAMAS]

Okay, so I actually bought the game, and here's my initial thoughts.

I haven't gotten as far as I thought I would, due to both the game being a little different than I hoped, and Titanfall 2 dropping(no pun intended, for once) its Frontier Defense update shortly afterwards. I have to admit, going through two defense game(mode)s at the same time is kinda taxing. I see why the latter game had so many sales problems when it dropped.

Shameless Plug Mode: If you really don't wanna get this game, I suggest getting Titanfall 2 and try Frontier Defense for your Horde-busting needs. It just released an Ultimate Edition.

Now, back to Fortnite. Yes, there are Microtransactions, but at the moment at least, they're only to either upgrade the game (standard -> Deluxe etc...) or buying the in-game currency, which is only for buying the Loot Llamas. That said, I've had little reason to buy any because I get a good amount of both said currency and loot, yes, of the same calibur as the Llamas give me, just from completing missions. In fact, I'm currently sitting on enough to buy five Llamas, which I haven't because my inventory is dangerously full as it is.

That said, it kinda does have some issues in game structure. It's heavily mission-based, meaning you go through procedurally-generated maps to perform certain missions. I find this really doesn't let me take stock of my supplies of building materials or ammunition, and there's no real way to just take your time and gather more as you see fit, other than to take a non-timed mission and take however long you need to gather before you actually get around to doing it. The only real problem with that is jump-in Multiplayer, which is usually a good thing, up until somebody starts feeding Blu-Glo into your objective and forcing the battle to start. PROTIP: Always ask before triggering a mission. Your teammates might need more time to gather material after a hard Shield Defense.

In short, the game is fun, though circumstances did kinda ruin that just a little for me. It may not be for everyone, but at least in this Early Access month, it doesn't come across as a rip-off to me.