Epic Games removes Ready Up feature from Fortnite

In early December 2024, players of Fortnite began experiencing significant gameplay issues after the release of update v33.00. Following the downtime for this update, the functionality to Ready Up was entirely disabled, leaving players with limited options after completing games. Instead of continuing their gaming session, players could only spectate others or return to the lobby to start a new match. This problematic change has particularly affected those playing in squads, as all team members need to gather in the lobby for a new game instead of seamlessly transitioning to another match. The issue seems to have stemmed from a deeper problem within the game's mechanics, with Epic Games confirming through the Fortnite Status Twitter account that the button's removal was intentional. This decision, while aimed at addressing underlying bugs, frustrated many users who rely on smooth transitions between games to enhance their experience. Epic Games further indicated that the Ready Up feature would return in a future update, providing hope for a quick resolution to the inconvenience. Players are understandably upset, especially given the new content from Chapter 6, which includes new skins and movement abilities. Many players expected a seamless gameplay experience, and the inability to Ready Up could potentially impact player retention. The developers' expectation to roll out fixes and updates quickly indicates the importance of this feature to many avid gamers, as extended waiting times for full squads can lead to frustration and diminished engagement with the game. While it seems unlikely that a swift response will be forthcoming, historical events suggest that Epic Games could mobilize a quick turnaround. For instance, an emergency patch was implemented only five days after launching Chapter 5’s final season due to an issue similar to this one. Players are holding out hope that a patch may be available as soon as Friday, December 6, 2024, coinciding with the scheduled Winterfest event launch for the Fortnite universe. Though there are impending updates planned that include exciting new content, the return of the Ready Up button appears to be a priority, reflecting its significance in maintaining gameplay flow.