Fortnite OG Is Back Forever
The original Fortnite OG season was one of those fun and quirky ideas that seemed natural to Fortnite, but is in many ways an unprecedented step for live service games. There’s a really boring techo-philosophical debate about how this affects live service games conceptually, what this says about the nature of the live service games in terms of content cycles and whether this, combined with larger trends, indicate a new patchwork nostalgia wave gripping American culture. But you know what? I think we’re good on that. I’m just glad it’s back.
Even if it seemed like a novelty at first, way back when it started in November 2023 (my God that feels like a decade ago), Fortnite OG felt like a bit of a Pandora’s Box for the game. People genuinely do miss the OG Fortnite era. It was a simpler time for that generation. The charming simplicity of the earlier maps and weapons still persist for many. I mean, when the “Wrecked” season was struggling, they dropped “Reload”, which was a condensed OG map based mode and it allowed that season to scrape by.
But, inevitably, that was never going to be enough. So they, basically telegraphed this idea that every season would end with an OG style remake of an old map. But that would never be enough. So they inevitably made the announcement I never doubted was coming at some point- OG was returning permanently as an additional mode and would have a seasonal model akin to the normal mode. This morning, it finally dropped. It got 20 million players within minutes.
This is the OG-OG of all OG Fortnite maps. The original 2017 drop. This is before Tilted Towers. This literally pre-dates like 95% of the player base. And so far, I have to say that I actually really like the map. I mean, it’s definitely not as flashy as some world maps of the past or the normal one now, but it’s a quality map. The design philosophy of early Fortnite was way less jarring than it is now and this cohesive, green map of one biome was exactly what you would get back then. The Island seems like a conceivable location instead of a mishmash of terrain.
And these are classic locations- Tomato Town, Pleasant Park, Flush Factory, Loot Lake, Retail Row….every name on there is anchored in Fortnite lore. These are some of the best locations Epic ever made. The ability to play them again and see them in their original state and placement is really cool and interesting. The entire mode is basically an interactive Fortnite museum (or is it?), allowing you to explore not only the game’s literal past in the form of the map, but also to experience the difference in map construction back then. It was just a different game back then and it certainly had a different vibe. It was less overtly serious but also less wacky and self absorbed. It’s a map from an era when the game was fresh and also wilder, still searching for a larger direction to move in.
But how’s the gameplay? Well, I’m glad you asked. It’s vintage. The OG, season 1 weapons are all back. Classics like the burst rifle, the RPG, THAT sniper rifle. The Pump Shotgun remains a staple. This is very meat and potatoes Fortnite gamplay, without all the bells and whistles of the newer seasons. There’s no buffs, medallions, bosses, no crazy extra mechanics. It’s just wham-bam Fortnite. As more of a Zero-Build guy, this mode feels especially sparse. But, in Battle Royale, it’s pretty much exactly how it was. There was no need for additional mechanics. Building was the core mechanic.
And these old weapons play just the same they always did. The Sniper is snappy and tight, the Burst Rifle pulls a little bit up, the Pump Shotgun is a gut puncher with average spray and the RPG fires missiles at roughly the speed of Bullet Bill. Fortnite gun mechanics haven’t really changed much and the old weapons are exactly how you remember them if you are a vet and exactly how would you imagine them if you’re new.
They also have an OG season pass if you’re into that. I personally did not get that but if you like those skins above, that’s where you’ll find them. This is one of the most unsurprising decisions in the history of micro-transactions. I mean, Fortnite has Lego passes, Music passes, Battle passes and now…the OG Pass. It’s 1,000 V-Bucks and grants access to 42 rewards, three of which are pictured above.
So, that pretty much does it for Fortnite OG, which is back for the final time. Because it’s never leaving. So if you miss the late 2010s or just never played the original because you were like 8, this is definitely worth checking out. It’s a pleasant change of pace when you’re looking to switch out of your normal modes but it’s still definitively Fortnite. So, if you like, join in with 25 million+ in welcoming in Fortnite OG. Long live the original gangster.
