The nostalgic journey through Fortnite's original Chapter 1 seasons continues its captivating run. Having relived the pioneering days of Seasons 1 and 2, players are now bidding farewell to the beloved Chapter 1 Season 3 within the OG game mode. This fan-favorite era, which originally captivated the community between 2017 and 2019, is making its final bow. The reason? A celestial event long-anticipated by veterans is finally imminent. The Meteor, a looming fixture in the skybox, is now closer to the Battle Royale island than ever before. Its impact promises to usher in the next chapter of this retro experience, bringing with it the drastic map changes that defined the original Season 4. For players immersed in this throwback adventure, the burning question is simple: when does the new-old season begin?
The schedule has seen a significant shift. Originally, the current Fortnite OG season was set to conclude on June 8 at 1:30 AM ET. However, Epic Games implemented a widespread rescheduling affecting Battle Royale, Fortnite OG, and LEGO Fortnite modes. Consequently, the end date for each game mode's Battle Pass was also moved forward. This change effectively shortened the available time for players to complete their seasonal objectives and earn those coveted rewards.
As a result of this update, the curtain will fall on Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 3 on June 7 at 2:00 PM ET. This adjustment means the community lost nearly half a day of gameplay. Players are now in a final sprint, grinding for as much XP as possible to level up their accounts and wrap up any purchased passes before the servers go dark for the transition. It's a race against the clock to unlock everything from the Season 3 OG pass.
🎯 Key Dates at a Glance:
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Season 3 End: June 7, 2:00 PM ET
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Original End Date: June 8, 1:30 AM ET
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Result: ~11.5 hours less playtime
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Primary Impact: Reduced time to complete Battle Passes.
The shift to an afternoon end time introduces some uncertainty regarding the launch of Season 4. Typically, Epic Games follows a familiar pattern:
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Announcement of matchmaking disable and downtime a few days prior.
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Servers go offline for several hours for the update.
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Update goes live, usually in the early morning hours, allowing players to start the new season fresh.
However, with the season now ending in the middle of the day, this rhythm is disrupted. The necessary downtime could begin shortly after 2:00 PM ET on June 7 and extend into the late evening or night. There's even a possibility it could be prolonged, lasting until the following morning. Therefore, while the season ends on June 7, players should prepare for the new content to go live either late in the day on June 7 or in the morning of June 8. The exact moment the servers return with Season 4 will depend on the duration of the update process.
This impending transition is more than just a procedural update; it's the culmination of a season-long buildup. The Meteor's descent is the key narrative event that will physically reshape the island, introducing new Points of Interest (POIs) and altering the landscape in ways that defined the original Season 4. For many, this represents the moment Fortnite's world truly began to feel dynamic and ever-evolving.
So, what should players do during this intermission? The final hours of Season 3 are for last-minute goal completion. Once downtime begins, the community will eagerly await official confirmation from Epic Games on social media. When the servers finally come back online, a transformed island will be waiting—a familiar yet fresh battlefield for both veterans revisiting their past and newcomers experiencing these classic changes for the first time. The countdown to impact has begun. 🚀