Epic Games is disabling a new Fortnite feature after it began to cause issues with the game’s graphics.
The feature, which was included in the game’s v14.10 patch, gave players a new “hi-rez textures” option in the game’s settings that was intended to improve Fortnite’s graphics. The new option confused some fans because, while it could be turned on for all platforms, it only affected textures on PlayStation 4 and Android devices. The confusion prompted the Fortnite Status Twitter account to clarify that the option only worked for fans playing the game on the PS4 or on Android.
Later the same day, the account noted that keeping the option turned off on PS4 caused some textures to look worse than intended. To prevent this issue, the account advised players to keep the option on while Epic Games worked to resolve the problem. Today, Epic Games disabled the option for all platforms.
According to the Fortnite Status account, the option was meant for release on Android only. Epic Games is currently working on fixing the feature, which will be made available for Android players in a future patch.
Epic Games has recently made efforts to improve Fortnite’s graphics. In February, the developer gave the game’s graphics a massive overhaul by upgrading to Unreal Engine’s Chaos physics engine. The update gave the three-year-old title a more modern appearance, especially when compared to the new class of battle royale games that have arisen in Fortnite’s wake. Apple, which is currently in a high-profile legal battle with Epic Games, recently threatened to take away the developer’s right to use the engine, however.
In another effort to update the game’s appearance, Epic Games made a deal with Nvidia to provide RTX and DLSS support to Fortnite. The agreement gives ray-tracing technology to PC Fortnite players with an Nvidia GPU. The result is a realistic-looking Fortnite experience complete with light distortions, reflections, shadows, and better performance.
It appears that some mishap took place at Epic Games in regards to the new hi-res graphics feature, otherwise the developer would have not added the feature and removed it so quickly. Perhaps it was added too early and was not properly implemented. This was implied when the Fortnite Status Twitter account tweeted that the feature was “meant for release on Android but not at this time.”
However, one of Fortnite’s defining qualities is its simplistic aesthetic, so Android users likely won’t be too upset about the feature being temporarily pulled as they enjoy the game's new Marvel-themed season.
Fortnite is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.