Epic Games Gives Update on Close Encounters, Brings Back Solid Gold Mode
Fortnite’s newest limited time mode, Close Encounters, was meant for players to get a chance at trying the new jetpack, but was taken offline after just an hour of going live in-game. Now, Epic Games has given an update on the reasoning for the removal of Close Encounters and replacing it with the fan favorite Solid Gold mode.
Close Encounters has been taken down and re-added a few times as Epic has been trying to work out its kinks. The mode provides players with only shotguns and the limited time jetpacks, which are new to Fortnite.
A multitude of issues were reported by players and shared on the Fortnite subreddit. While Epic searched for solutions, it brought back Solid Gold, a mode in which players have a higher chance of finding some extra sweet loot.
https://twitter.com/FortniteGame/status/1000025961532985344
Until now, players have been uncertain about why exactly Close Encounters was taken down, especially so soon after going live. Epic has now revealed some of its reasoning behind the quick switch.
The developer explained that the mode’s playability was being ruined by something called “sky bases.” In regular modes, players need to be careful when building sky bases because falling from such heights would turn them into jelly upon impact. But jetpacks allow players to throw caution to the wind, overusing sky bases without the fear of fall damage. This has resulted in anything but “close encounters” for players in this mode.
“We heard your feedback about Close Encounters and will be evaluating the effect sky bases have on this LTM,” Epic wrote. “To replace this, we’ve brought back Solid Gold after seeing how much you enjoyed it. Happy Weekend!”
Solid Gold has been a chaos-inducing staple in Fortnite’s Battle Royale, providing players with only Legendary-rank weapons and items. Though the weapons in the legendary tier don’t get too crazy, they do deal more damage and grant faster reload speeds while providing a number of different qualities that make them valuable to have should you wish to win.
Solid Gold also allows players to experience Legendary items, such as Chug Jugs and the new jetpacks.
Epic Games hasn’t provided any solid details on if or when Close Encounters will return to Fortnite, so for now hop into Solid Gold and enjoy the chaos.