Thanks to the usual combination of in-game teases and update data mining, fans have known that jetpacks are coming to Fortnite at some point in the near future. How near? How about today?
Yep, that's the official word from the game's Twitter account which promises that jetpacks will be included in the v4.2 content update, available from 8am ET today. As the tweet says, there will be no downtime before the update - these items will simply appear in the game.
An in-game news update yesterday gave no mention of the imminent release, but did confirm that jetpacks will be available for a limited time only. While Epic has tweaked and retired items and weapons in the past, this is the first time a new gadget has launched with the same time limited availability of special game modes and other events.
Speaking of game modes, eager dataminers have been rummaging around in the game's files for clues and have found an entry for a new mode called Close Encounters, which combines jetpacks and shotguns for maximum chasing fun. This listing also gives us some idea of how the jetpacks will work. "If you find a jetpack, double-tap the jump button to take off," reads the text prompt. "Keep the button held down to apply thrust. Make sure to land before it runs out of fuel!"
Hope you've got a head for heights.