Fortnite players waking up to login errors this morning might be scratching their heads. Indeed, the servers are down, just as Epic Games rolls out update 37.40. This isn't some random glitch—it's scheduled maintenance tied to the kickoff of Fortnitemares 2025, the annual Halloween-themed extravaganza that's become a staple in the battle royale world. The downtime started around 4 a.m. ET, and Epic hasn't pinned down an exact end time yet, though insiders suggest it could stretch into the afternoon.
However, frustration is mounting among the community. Server status pages like Epic's official tracker show ongoing disruptions, with matchmaking queues frozen and lobbies refusing to load. Reports from players across the US, Europe, and beyond flood social media, echoing complaints of "servers not responding" errors that have plagued past updates. It's a familiar drill for Fortnite loyalists, but that doesn't make the wait any less aggravating, especially with whispers of new spooky skins and map changes on the horizon.
Moreover, this update promises more than just holiday flair. Fortnitemares 2025 is set to introduce limited-time modes infused with horror elements, potentially revamping the island with ghostly encounters and trick-or-treat challenges. Epic's pattern holds true here—downtime for major patches often lasts two to four hours, but unexpected hitches have extended it before, like that marathon 12-hour outage back in October of last year. Players are advised to keep an eye on the Epic Games status page for real-time updates, or risk missing the launch rush.
Still, the bigger picture lingers: how long can Epic keep players hooked through these inevitable interruptions? As the servers flicker back to life, one wonders if the game's evolving spectacle will outweigh the downtime blues.