Fortnite’s storm — the core mechanic that has always pushed players into tighter encounters — may be heading into a phase that feels less predictable and far stranger than anything the game has tried before. For years, the storm has contracted in circles, a predictable shape that defines the flow of battle royale matches across the genre. Even when the lead-up to the newest chapter briefly experimented with a storm shaped like the number seven, the game quickly reset to its familiar circular pattern. That moment now looks less like a one-off twist and more like a test case for bigger changes Epic Games may be considering.
Long-running community rumors recently gained traction when reliable fortnite leakers shared a video showing a suite of new storm shapes Epic has reportedly been experimenting with. These range from basic geometric forms such as squares, triangles, and rectangles to more stylized silhouettes, including one that resembles the Star Trek insignia. There is even footage of a storm shaped like a Christmas tree, which fits neatly with fortnite’s seasonal approach and the upcoming Winterfest window.
Because the “7” shape surfaced early and ultimately appeared in-game, the new batch of shapes carries more credibility than usual leak cycles. Chapter 7 has already shown Epic taking a looser, more playful attitude toward longstanding mechanics; the shift from a traditional drop to an island-surfing intro is just one example. The reception to these experiments has varied. Some changes have irritated longtime players, while others — such as self-revive options and vehicle-based reboot systems — have broadened tactical choices in ways many players seem to appreciate.
If Epic is seriously exploring variable storm shapes, the biggest questions concern implementation. Altering the storm fundamentally changes match pacing, late-game positioning, and the types of strategies that players rely on. A triangular or rectangular storm, for instance, could funnel players into corners or edges in ways that disrupt current competitive rhythms. More elaborate shapes could introduce moments of unpredictability that feel refreshing to some players and frustrating to others. As with many of Epic’s past experiments, not every idea shown in test footage will necessarily reach live servers, and the studio tends to iterate until it finds something that fits the seasonal theme or the broader chapter direction.
With Winterfest approaching, the holiday-themed tree shape is the most likely candidate for a limited-time test, assuming these experiments move forward. But the leak also signals something broader: fortnite continues to push against its own conventions, adjusting individual systems even when those systems are foundational to how the game is played. Whether these storm variations become a recurring feature or just temporary curiosities, they reinforce Epic’s pattern of using seasonal transitions as an opportunity to rework long-standing mechanics.
Ultimately, the evolving storm shapes highlight a tension familiar to many live-service games — how far to push experimentation without undermining the competitive structure or the expectations of veteran players. Until Epic confirms any of these tests, all anyone can do is watch the leak cycle and see which ideas slip into the next update.
