New Fortnite season goes live: Chapter 5 Season 3 explained

There's an updated map to explore with new Points of Interest, new boss battles to complete, and it's all wrapped up into a neat little Mad Max-style package. No Furiosa though, oddly.

What's more, the Fallout crossover is now live, there's a Magneto skin, and the full list of battle pass outfits has been revealed.

Here's everything you need to know about the Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 release date (when did it start?), what's new in it, and when the Chapter 5 Season 3 end date will be.

When did the new Fortnite season start? Chapter 5 Season 3 release date

The Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 release date was on Friday 24th May 2024, and it's available to play right now!

It went live at exactly 12:25pm here in the UK, after nearly five and a half hours of downtime. This is one big new season, and the development team did well to get it up and running that quick, to be honest.

What's new in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3?

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 brings with it a whole new theme of sandy vehicular combat (think Mad Max).

There's also a new battle pass, new skins (including Fallout and Magneto - see them in the video above) and much, much more.

To see the full list of changes made as part of the Chapter 5 Season 3 v30.00 update, you're best off checking out our dedicated page.

It's also worth checking out the official trailer!

The highlights include a new biome - the wasteland - in the south of the map, with sand-covered new POI Redline Rig, Nitrodome and Brutal Beachhead. You'll take on new bosses in vehicular combat in these areas: The Machinist, Ringmaster Scarr and Megalo Don.

Vehicle Mods are back, and you can now apply Nitro to your vehicle and to yourself for a movement speed increase, fuel consumption (stamina on yourself) decrease, explosive ramming and bashing power, and more.

Pick up and use the new Nitro Splash item to make use of the new feature.

There's also the introduction of a new Ranked season and improvements made to Pro Lead and Pro Bass in Fortnite Festival, to name a few more changes.

When does Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 end?

The Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 end date is 16th August 2024, Epic Games has revealed.

You'll have until precisely 7am UK time (2am ET) on 16th August to play through the 'Wrecked' season and unlock everything its Battle Pass has to offer.

As always, it's up to Epic Games to decide when the Chapter 5 Season 3 end date and time is – seasons have been extended before.

For now, expect the Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 end date to be 7am on 16th August 2024.

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