Latest news with #BattleRoyale
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to get the free Iridia Vayne skin in Fortnite
Fortnite players now have the opportunity to unlock the stylish Iridia Vayne skin, completely free of cost. But there's a small catch: it's only available for a limited time. As part of the ongoing Party Up: Celestial Strike event, the skin officially became unlockable on May 30, and players have until June 7 at 9 AM ET to claim it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Epic Games has long been known for giving away free cosmetics through events, quests, and Twitch drops, and this season has seen a flurry of such offerings, especially during the Galactic Battle crossover. However, unlocking Iridia Vayne requires some serious in-game commitment. How to unlock the skin To obtain the Iridia Vayne skin, players need to complete nine Celestial Strike quests. Each quest requires earning 60,000 XP, but there's a twist: all XP must be earned while playing with a friend. The event features two sets of quests: By Epic Experiences: These include official modes like Battle Royale, Zero Build, LEGO Fortnite, Festival, and Rocket Racing. Creator Made Experiences: These are player-generated maps not developed by Epic. Each phase progresses only after the required XP is earned in each category. The fastest method? Team up, enter an Epic mode to complete Daily or Story Quests, or hop into XP-friendly Creative maps. Fortnite Party Up - Celestial Strike: Unlock the Iridia Vayne Outfit! Here's what you can unlock While the Iridia Vayne skin is the final prize, players will unlock several other cosmetics along the way. Here's the full list of rewards: Allen Boy Jam Track Victory Plume Spray Opaline Slashers Pickaxe Confident Iridia Spray Peacock's Dream Wrap Opaline Scabbard Back Bling High Five! Emoticon Origami Battalion Emote Iridia Vayne Skin A total of 540,000 XP is needed to claim all rewards. Fortnite players have until June 7 at 9 AM ET to unlock the Iridia Vayne skin for free. To claim it, players must complete nine Celestial Strike quests, each requiring 60,000 XP earned while playing with a friend. That's a significant grind, especially with limited time left. Playing Epic-made modes like Battle Royale or LEGO Fortnite and targeting daily quests can help speed things up. Creative XP maps are another fast-track option, especially those recommended on community platforms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While there's speculation that Iridia Vayne may appear in the Item Shop later, nothing's confirmed. For now, the only guaranteed way to add her to your locker without spending V-Bucks is through this limited-time event. With a striking design and positive community buzz, this is one freebie worth chasing - but don't wait too long. The countdown has begun.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I thought Elden Ring Nightreign was a flop at first — here's the one thing that made me love it
Elden Ring Nightreign is a game of highs and lows. After more than 20 hours played, and every major boss (known as Nightlords) vanished, it's provided me with some of the best co-op moments I've ever had in gaming, but also some of the most tedious, frustrating and just plain unfun multiplayer sessions I've ever endured. My experience can be neatly categorized into runs that offered pure joy and ones that were, frankly, an unmitigated disaster. But it's not because of a skill issue (even if I am an average Souls player, at best), but rather because I started by relying on 'random' companions rather than pulling together a squad. If you're not aware, Elden Ring Nightreign is a new multiplayer-focused spin-off from 2022's smash hit, and very challenging, Elden Ring. It sees you and two online companions attempt to survive across three days in a procedurally generated mishmash of the base game's map. It's a highly streamlined take on the Elden Ring gameplay loop, and that proves to be a lot of fun, but you need to get just the right conditions to see the game's true potential. Elden Ring Nightregin is a new co-op spin on the best-selling RPG. It combines roguelite and Battle Royale elements and drops you and two companions on an ever-shifting map as you look to survive three days and take on an uber-powerful boss. You have the choice of playing as one of eight unique characters, each with their own playstyle and unique abilities. Plus, for those who enjoy tough encounters, Elden Ring Nightreign offers some of the most difficult bosses developer FromSoftware has ever made. In my first two hours of Elden Ring' Nightreign I made one crucial mistake: I opted to group up with fellow Nightfairers via the game's online matchmaking system. Essentially, I was teamed up with 'random' players from around the globe. I didn't know these players personally, and beyond placing pins on the game's rapidly shrinking maps (the closing circle mechanic from battle royale games like Fortnite is shamelessly cribbed), we had no means of communicating. In a tough game like this, communication is key. In these initial runs, my companions and I just didn't have the means to coordinate properly. Instead, we bumbled around the map, often traveling in opposite directions, and failing to synergize our ability to take down the game's toughest bosses. This led to spectacularly unsuccessful runs that were significantly more frustrating than fun. On a couple of attempts, we did manage to stumble our way to the final boss of a run, but the odds of actually beating these powerful foes were virtually nil. We wiped in seconds. At this point, after a couple of hours of play, I was genuinely thinking that Elden Ring Nightreign was a huge misstep from developer FromSoftware, a studio with an insane hit rate. I briefly considered whether it was even worth persisting with my playthrough. But I'm glad that was just a fleeting thought. Things dramatically changed when I did the thing I probably should have done from the start: Grouped up with some friends and industry peers. Getting a three-man squad together, that included TG's own Ryan Epps (who reviewed Elden Ring Nightreign), took my experience from largely frustrating to remarkably fun. Suddenly, runs became an intense race against the constantly ticking clock as my companions and I strategized on the fly to craft the most efficient path through the game's shifting world. We became obsessed with figuring out the quickest way to acquire runes (Which allow you to level up your chosen character), loot high-powered weapons and still have enough time remaining to visit every church we could find, as these provide health-restoring flasks. Battling bosses also became not just significantly easier, but seriously enjoyable as well. We could devise a plan, coordinate our special abilities, and call out when our oversized combatant was about to deploy a devastating chain of attacks that required us to leap out of the way. I was also able to consistently reach the final boss of each stage and start bringing them down. Even when the repetitive nature of each run became a little monotonous, just having friendly teammates to goof around with kept me hooked and eager to keep playing more. During a highly memorable encounter with one of the game's toughest Nightlords, my squad managed to bring the beast down with each of us having just a sliver of health left after three failed attempts. It was in this real fist-pumping moment that I got to see Elden Ring Nightreign at its very best. There's an adage in gaming that any multiplayer game is better played with friends, but Elden Ring Nightreign takes this idea to a whole new level. If you're on the fence about picking up the game, I strongly suggest you only cough up your cash if you can convince at least two other friends to join you on your journey. Trying to play this brutal game via online matchmaking, or god-forbidden, solo is a recipe for a bad time. It's just not worth the headache. Under the right conditions, when you have a team of (at least vaguely) competent players all communicating, Elden Ring Nightreign is truly something special. But be warned, if the conditions of play are anything less than optimal, the entire structure falls apart and becomes miserable. Nevertheless, it's a good sign that I went from considering dropping the game after a few hours, to 20 hours later, having beaten every single boss Nightreign could throw at me, yet I remain eager to jump in again to keep getting that intoxicating adrenaline rush that only a FromSoftware game can provide. However, I won't be making the same mistake twice, and unless I can pull together a posse each time I want to dive into Elden Ring Nightreign's pretty unique brand of co-op action, I'll opt to play something else instead.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to control a Star Destroyer in Fortnite
In one of its boldest collaborations yet, Fortnite has added the iconic Star Destroyer from Star Wars into the Battle Royale island - and yes, players can take control of it. As part of the ongoing Star Wars crossover event, Epic Games has introduced this massive ship into gameplay with a twist: only one team or player per match gets to command it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Here's everything you need to know about finding and controlling the Star Destroyer in Fortnite. When and where does the Star Destroyer spawn? The Star Destroyer becomes accessible around five minutes into the match, just as the first storm circle closes. Players will receive a loud siren cue, along with an on-screen message: 'Star Destroyer Portal is Open.' At this point, a Star Destroyer icon appears both on the minimap and HUD, revealing the portal's location within the safe zone. Star Destroyer Bombardment | Fortnite Galactic Battle Gameplay Trailer The spawn location is random, so quick mobility is key. Players using an X-Wing or TIE Fighter will have the best chance of reaching the portal first. Vehicles significantly increase your chances of claiming the Star Destroyer before your opponents do. How to enter and use the Star Destroyer Once you reach the portal, interact with it (default key: E) to board the ship. You'll be transported high above the island, granted a temporary birds-eye view for a limited time. Players have 1 minute and 20 seconds (or 90 seconds, depending on the game version) to rain down firepower using the Star Destroyer's powerful blaster cannon. The weapon deals 73 splash damage and 120 on direct hits. Enemies are marked with red triangles, making it easier to aim. You can fire once every second, with infinite ammo and the ability to zoom in for better accuracy. In squad mode, each member controls a separate cannon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, damage output decreases with team size - from 90 damage in solo mode to just 36 in squads. After the time expires or if you choose to exit manually, the Star Destroyer vanishes through a rift, and players glide safely back to the island. While some fans are thrilled about this addition, others have called it overpowered or creatively off-track. 'This is not Fortnite, it's GTA 5 Online,' one player joked on social media, while others expressed excitement over the firepower. Love it or not, the Star Destroyer is here - and it's one of the most dominant tools currently available in Fortnite. Use it wisely, because only one player can control it per match.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Top 10 top tips for parents to keep their kids safe online when playing Fortnite this half-term
WITH half-term fast approaching, parents across the country will be fretting over keeping the kids entertained. As much as we'd all love to pretend that our darling angels will be outside in the garden from dawn till dusk, we know the reality is a little different. Advertisement 15 There are over 650 million registered players on Fortnite Credit: Epic Games Despite our best intentions, it's not long before they are reaching for the gaming controller to fire up the console ( And we let them - because it's only human to want a little break from all the chaos. And with 650 million registered players on the video game Fortnite, chances are your kids are playing it too. 15 Understand parental controls to make gaming safe for kids Credit: Epic Games So it's vital for parents to understand the game and the parental controls that come with it. Advertisement Read more Gaming News Yes, you really do have the power to limit their fancy flossing and Mythic machine gun looting. 15 Each of the 190,000 gaming experiences have PEGI age ratings Credit: Epic Games Here, KNOW YOUR GAME Fortnite is a hub which offers more than 190,000 different gaming experiences, from Battle Royale - where players fight it out to be the last one standing - to Rocket Racing, a neon-crazy car racer. Advertisement All experiences have a PEGI age rating from 3+ to 12. So make sure your kid is playing an appropriate mode. Most read in Gaming Review 15 It's vital you know who your child is playing with online Credit: Epic Games CABINED ACCOUNTS If your child is under 13 - below the legal age of digital consent in the UK - they will be placed in a Cabined Account. This is designed to create a safe and inclusive space for younger players. Gamers in a Cabined Account will have restricted access to certain Fortnite features, like voice or text chat until a parent provides consent. This can be done via an alert to an adult's email or by entering a pin code. Advertisement 15 Set a pin code acceptance for each friend request your child gets Credit: Epic Games CUSTOMISE CONTROL Social permissions allow you to manage who your child talks to on Fortnite. Friends Only means they can only chat with pals who have had a friend request accepted. Friends & Teammates extends this to anyone in their squad (on your kid's team) and Everybody means your child can talk to anyone on the game. Or you can disable voice and text chat entirely. You can also adjust any mature language filters too. 15 Time limits are a great way to manage screen time Credit: Epic Games Advertisement TIME LIMITS This is a brilliant way to ensure the kids aren't spending all day on Fortnite. Set a window of gaming which kicks them off after a certain period - and allows you to kick them out into the garden. It repeats daily so you only have to do it once. There's also a summary of the total time spent on the game each week in the Time Reports tab of Parental Controls. This can be a reality check and decent nudge to introduce time limits. It's a great way to manage screen time. 15 Control in-game V-Bucks spending Credit: Epic Games WHO'S WHO One of the biggest worries for parents is knowing who their child is communicating with online. This fear is easily conquered by setting up a parental pin. This has to be inputted to accept every friend request received. Advertisement This way you can check with your kid to make sure that SillyGoat2018 is actually annoying little Johnny next door - and not a complete stranger. 15 Fortnite is fun for the whole family so get involved Credit: Epic Games SPEND WISELY Purchasing permissions within Fortnite are a useful way of budgeting those highly-prized V-Bucks, an in-game virtual currency that can buy extras like skins (outfits), emotes (special dances) and gaming bundles - I mean, who doesn't want to play as the Giant Chicken. Parents can set purchasing permissions to approve any real-money buys using Epic Games payment. Advertisement 15 Keep an eye out for phishers and scammers offering in-game treats Credit: Epic Games FRIENDS AND ENEMIES Make sure your child is aware of over-friendly offers while playing Fortnite. In fact, this is a big red flag for any online game - 15 You can disable voice and text chat entirely Credit: Epic Games If another player is offering gifts of V-bucks or other items, make sure your child knows who it is. It's an innocent and easy mistake for them to make - befriending someone who has showered them with gifts, only to find out it's a phisher or scammer. Advertisement Cut out the risk with pin-request befriending - drop those unwanted nasties like a Legendary Sniper Rifle headshot. 15 Jam along with Fortnite Festival mode Credit: Epic Games GET INVOLVED Fortnite isn't just for little kids, it's for big ones as well. There are plenty of split-screen modes which you can play along with your child like LEGO Fortnite Odyssey or jam along Guitar Hero-style on the Fortnite Festival music stage. 15 Split-screen games are great for family gaming Credit: Epic Games Advertisement It helps to dispel the myth that Fortnite is 'The Devil' and really bad for children. It helps to calm any fears you might have had of what content they are being exposed to (see, Peely the giant yellow banana isn't that bad after all!). 15 Turn off interactive AI features if you don't want your child to interact with NPCs Credit: Epic Games TOP OF THE BOTS You can choose whether your child can interact with AI features in the game. This includes talking to non-playable characters (NPCs), like Darth Vader in the latest Battle Royale season. Gamers can have an interactive chat where the NPC responds. You can switch this off in the Parental Controls section - just find the 'Allow voice and written communication with AI Features' setting and turn it off. Advertisement 15 Parental controls are simple to set up Credit: Epic Games GET SET UP You don't need to be a gaming god or YouTuber to set up these parental controls. Head to 15
Japan Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Actors' union sues Fortnite over AI Darth Vader
The makers of the popular Fortnite game have created an AI version of Darth Vader, using the voice of late actor James Earl Jones that allows players to interact with the Sith Lord An actors' union is suing the makers of the Fortnite video game over the use of AI to create an interactive Darth Vader, it said. Fortnite announced last week it had obtained permission from the family of James Earl Jones to make a chatty "Star Wars" villain based on the late actor's voice work in the smash hit space opera series. Using AI models, developer Epic Games introduced the Emperor's consigliere into Battle Royale, a player-versus-player version of Fortnite in which squads form to defeat other contestants online. Users were quick to adopt the Sith Lord on their missions, posting clips of their interactions with one of cinema's most famous bad guys. Many delighted in the character's apparent wit, laughing as he tells them off for poor technique, or suggesting that they are cheating. "The empire has no need for fast food," he chides one player who asks what his McDonald's order would be. "If I were forced to endure such a culinary experience, I would take a Chicken Selects Meal with large fries and a Coca-Cola drink." But actors' union SAG-AFTRA was not amused, claiming the use of AI in video games puts performers out of work. "We celebrate the right of our members and their estates to control the use of their digital replicas and welcome the use of new technologies," a statement said Monday. "However, we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader's iconic rhythm and tone in video games." The union, which says it represents around 160,000 people, says Epic's subsidiary did not talk to its negotiators over how AI would be used in the game. SAG-AFTRA said it had filed a claim for unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board, a federal agency that protects workers' rights to organize and to negotiate. Epic Games did not immediately respond to AFP's queries, but a statement released last week cited Jones's family saying they were pleased with the project. "We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character," the family said. Performers have become concerned about the use of artificial intelligence in films, TV and video games. Improving technology makes it increasingly possible to digitally recreate the audio and visual likeness of an actor. The strikes that crippled Hollywood in 2023 stemmed in part from fears that studios would seek to use digital models to replace human performers and creators. Video game actors began their own strike against major players in the sector in July 2024. © 2025 AFP
