Fortnite’s ambitions continue to expand. According to a leak from Loolo (@Loolo_WRLD on X), Epic Games is developing a new extraction shooter, similar in style to Escape From Tarkov. Details remain scarce, and Loolo cautions that plans could change. This mode, purportedly codenamed Project Arnold, was previously rumored to be canceled. If the leak proves accurate, the core gameplay loop will likely mirror established extraction shooter mechanics. Players will infiltrate a map, navigate PvE and PvP encounters, secure weapons and loot, and attempt to extract without being eliminated. Each deployment offers opportunities to improve gear, expand inventory, and compete against others with similar objectives. While this is speculation based on established genre conventions, it aligns with the reported information.
This news follows Epic Games’ recent announcement of Ballistic, a 5v5 FPS inspired by Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Call of Duty’s Search & Destroy. These two additions to Fortnite signal a clear strategy: Epic Games is striving to recapture the audience that propelled Fortnite to its peak popularity in 2018. While Fortnite Battle Royale initially enjoyed success, its mainstream explosion was partly fueled by popular creators like Ninja, CDNthe3rd, and DrLupo, who showcased the game’s sandbox potential.
alt text: A promotional image for Fortnite featuring colorful characters and dynamic gameplay.
The virality generated by these streamers launched an empire. What started as a survival base-building game with PvP elements has become an industry giant, encompassing a LEGO companion game, a racing title, and a rhythm-based experience. However, as Fortnite expanded and attracted a large casual player base, dedicated shooter fans gravitated toward titles like Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, Deadlock, and the games mentioned earlier. Epic Games is evidently making a concerted effort to re-engage this audience.
This endeavor is facilitated by Fortnite’s foundation on Unreal Engine, offering significant development flexibility. Fans have already demonstrated this potential with impressive projects like the recreation of the iconic Call of Duty: Modern Warfare map Shipment. If fans can achieve such feats, the possibilities for Epic Games to introduce innovative shooter experiences within Fortnite are vast.
Concrete information about the extraction mode’s future (or even its eventual release) will likely take time. In the meantime, fans can experience the classic FPS action of Ballistic when it enters Early Access on December 11th. The success of Ballistic could significantly influence Fortnite’s future direction. Perhaps Epic Games will set its sights even higher, potentially even developing a worthy successor to Halo.
