Fortnite update 24.40 patch notes: Ranked mode, Spider-Verse crossover & balance changes

Daniel Megarry
A Fortnite loading screen

Fortnite update v24.40 has arrived, so here are all of the balance changes and new features coming your way including the recently-announced Ranked mode.

There are just a few weeks to go until Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 2 comes to an end, but Epic Games still have some tricks up their sleeve, as the arrival of update v24.40 has introduced a new Ranked mode.

This competitive mode has replaced the popular battle royale’s Arena mode, giving players the chance to rise up through the ranks and earn rewareds. The Star Wars crossover will also continue into this update.

Here’s everything you need to know about Fortnite’s v24.40 update.

A logo symbolising updates and downtime in Fortnite

Fortnite update 24.40 downtime details

Fortnite update v24.40 was released on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 12AM PT / 3AM ET / 8AM BST.

Downtime for this update has ended and the servers are now live, so you can jump back in whenever you want!

Fortnite update 24.40 patch notes

Ranked mode arrives

Epic Games has already confirmed that an official Ranked mode will finally be coming to Fortnite as part of the v24.20 update. You’ll be able to play Ranked in both regular Battle Royale and Zero Build.

Once you’ve enabled Ranked, you’ll be able to compete to rise through Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Elite, Champion, and Unreal in the first Ranked season, which will be known as Season Zero.

Season Zero will last until the end of Battle Royale Chapter 4 Season 3, during which time Epic Games will “make any adjustments to issues and concerns that arise”.

You can read more about Fortnite’s new Ranked mode here.

Fortnite Ranked Gameplay modes

Arena mode has been discontinued

With the arrival of Ranked mode, Epic Games has discontinued Arena mode.

Trios have been removed

The option to play Battle Royale or Zero Build in Trios has also been removed from Fortnite with the v24.40 update. From now on, you’ll only be able to play Solo, Duos, or Squads.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse crossover

To celebrate the upcoming animated movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Epic Games have begun teasing a major crossover event.

There’s no start date for this event, but it should be soon. As for what we can expect from the crossover, it seems likely that it will feature a Miles Morales skin as well as the return of the Web-Shooters Mythic.

More Star Wars Quests

It’s good news for Star Wars fans, as the current Find The Force crossover will continue beyond the v24.40 update. New quests have gone live to help you earn points and get all of those free rewards.

You’ll also be able to continue enjoying all of those Star Wars-themed weapons and cosmetics until the event ends on May 23, 2023.

Fortnite x Star Wars Prequel skins

Balance changes to resources

Following the v24.40 update, there will be a few balance changes made to resources and materials. The major one is that material caps will be reduced from 999 to 500 so you won’t be able to hold as much.

Alongside this change, the harvesting rate for materials will be increased slightly, and players will now drop 50 of each material when they are eliminated.

Fortnite update 24.40 bug fixes

The following bug fixes are scheduled to be issued with Fortnite update v24.40:

  • Continuing to make improvements regarding some large rocks on the Battle Royale Island not providing as many materials as intended.
  • Fixing an issue preventing players from being healed with Slurp Juice after being DBNO.
  • Back Blings equipped with the Clone Trooper Outfit will no longer appear detached.
  • The Clone Trooper Outfit’s head movement will no longer be static.
  • Fixing an issue causing some Outfits to appear glossy.

That’s everything you need to know about Fortnite update v24.40! Make sure you check out our Fortnite page for all the latest news and guides.

About The Author

Daniel graduated from university with a degree in Journalism and English Language, before spending five years at GAY TIMES covering LGBTQ+ news and entertainment. He then made the switch to video game journalism where he produces news, features, and guides for Pokemon, Fortnite, Nintendo, and PlayStation games. Daniel also has a passion for any games with queer representation.