Epic continues to mix things up in Fortnite's Chapter 2 Season 3 map with shifting water levels, areas that have been altered or submerged, and a new course for its mysterious loot-laden ship. Popular Fortnite streamer SypherPK breaks down the changes that occurred on the July 11th update in a Youtube video, and suspects that these strange tweaks may be beats in a story.
Other changes that came with the shift in tides include the disappearance of an entire island, and the reemergence of the drive-in theater area, Risky Reels, which was submerged at the start of Season 3 when Epic flooded the popular battle royale game's map. SypherPK observed that the ship now spawns near to where the Slurp Factory used to be, and suspects that the ship is sailing towards the dam close to Misty Meadows.
The boat isn't the only thing that is moving, however. SypherPK also noted that while some islands have disappeared beneath the waves, others seem to have shifted positions, making him speculate as to whether the islands are actually connected to the ground. It's possible the changing geography and the loot boat's new course are purely cosmetic changes, but it seems more likely that they are leading up to something exciting.
There is no telling when the current map will reach its final evolution, or when the Fortnite Season 4 will launch, but the current battle pass is slated to end on August 26th, so answers will likely arrive before then.
The Secret Loot Boat is aptly named, as it is a small craft that randomly spawns without appearing on the map. Since locating the boat from above and dropping directly onto it is the only practical way to reach the ship before it is consumed by the storm, it initially eluded many players, even two weeks into the update.
Originally, finding the loot boat could be a bit of a hassle, but it was also well worth the trouble, as the ship contained multiple chests — including some of the highest rarity — and a healthy amount of materials to kit players out for the rest of the match.
Water has featured prominently in the summer-themed Season 3 slate of content, with boats, Black Manta and Aquaman-themed skins and challenges, and more. Epic has tweaked maps and added content throughout the title's tenure, but it has been especially creative since Chapter's 1 map-obliterating finale. This steady stream of content is essential for staying fresh and relevant in a crowded marketplace of battle royale competitors.
Looking forward, it is any one's guess as to how the title will change in the future, especially given how many drastic changes Fortnite has undergone since its initial launch. In fact, Fortnite has only recently shed its Early Access status, three years after its initial release.
Fortnite is free-to-play on PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and mobile devices.