Epic Games has officially confirmed the end of the current era with the announcement of ZERO HOUR, the Chapter Finale live event scheduled for November 29, 2025. This one-time broadcast promises to close out the current storyline with a chaotic mix of licensed giants and vehicular combat.
If you have been grinding through the latest season of Fortnite, you know that Chapter finales are never subtle. Epic Games has set the stage for a massive confrontation starting at 2:00 PM ET. As always with these high-traffic events, the "doors" (matchmaking queues) will open 40 minutes early at 1:20 PM ET. I cannot stress this enough: log in early. Server capacity is often pushed to the limit during finales, and you don't want to be stuck in a login queue while the island is being reshaped.
Godzilla, Mechs, and... Homer Simpson?
The promotional material released for ZERO HOUR suggests a complete collapse of the multiverse barriers—even more so than usual. The key art features a massive scale battle involving Godzilla, what appears to be a combat mech, the iconic DeLorean, and Homer Simpson. While crossovers are standard fare for the Battle Royale now, featuring them centrally in a lore-heavy finale event implies these aren't just skins anymore; they are likely integral parts of the chaotic spectacle closing out the Chapter.
How long will the downtime last?
While Epic hasn't confirmed the exact duration of the downtime following the event, veteran players should prepare for a "Black Hole" situation. Chapter transitions historically involve significant downtime—often lasting 12 to 48 hours—as the developers patch in the new map and mechanics for the next Chapter. If you have unfinished Battle Pass tiers or quest rewards, consider November 29 your hard deadline. Once ZERO HOUR begins, the current island is likely gone for good.
Mark your calendars and squad up early.
- Event: Chapter Finale - ZERO HOUR
- Date: November 29, 2025
- Doors Open: 1:20 PM ET
- Show Start: 2:00 PM ET