Fortnite's island-flipping finale gives glimpse at new Chapter 3 map

Fortnite has pulled off its latest live event – typically spectacular in scope, technically ambitious in scale, and hugely important to the game’s ongoing story. Tonight’s The End event closed the book on its Chapter 2 map forever – and gave players a glimpse at what’s next.

The End event began at the small fort built over the past week by Pleasant Park and, as players arrived, they were greeted by the welcome sight of the friendly Blue Cube teleporting into the location too. It was here players would make their last stand against the Cube Queen, head of the alien race which has now plagued Fortnite’s reality for several seasons. Maybe, with the Blue Cube on side, she could be defeated?

She could not be defeated. The Queen’s forces arrived and utterly overpowered players, in a tense section of gameplay where it became clear players were completely outgunned. Dozens of new motherships wheeled in overhead through an enormous hole in the sky and zapped away players’ guns. The Blue Cube’s protection was whittled away, even as it tried to help – before the poor thing was blown to pieces.

The event then shifted to a cut-scene as, far below the Island’s surface, the Imagined Order organisation took to panic stations. Its leader Slone, now hugely-disliked by players after leaving them to die in last season’s event, was shown finishing up some business with defector Agent Jones – until the seemingly heroic figure of The Foundation finally arrived to resume unfinished business with Jones first.

Jones and The Foundation teamed up, leaving Slone behind – though not before she finally got a glimpse at The Foundation’s face, revealing him at last to be portrayed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. For fans, this was something which had long been suspected. The pair worked to disable the Island’s “gyro controls” while, back on the surface, other members of The Seven, The Foundation’s mysterious group, swooped in to save the day.

Back in gameplay, players dashed through new underground areas of the Island towards its core – previously glimpsed in Fortnite’s DC Comics and the Imposters game mode – guided by Seven member The Scientist, last seen at the end of Fortnite Chapter 1. Here, we heard him speak at length – and it sounded a lot like Community’s Joel McHale. The areas here – and Fortnite’s island – were now tilting ominously.