7 December 2025

When Did Fortnite Season 1 Come Out? Full Timeline

Epic Games’ Fortnite has become a worldwide phenomenon since its release, gathering millions of players and continuously evolving through various seasons. With so many updates and changes, it’s natural to wonder when it all began. Knowing when Fortnite Season 1 came out gives fans a nostalgic glimpse into how the game started and evolved into today’s cultural icon.

TL;DR: Fortnite Season 1 officially launched on October 25, 2017. This marked the beginning of the Battle Pass system and kicked off a series of seasonal updates that continue today. Before Season 1, the game was available in Early Access, and its Battle Royale mode was released on September 26, 2017. From humble beginnings, Fortnite quickly grew into one of the most influential video games of the decade.

The Pre-Season Era of Fortnite

Before there were seasons, Fortnite existed in a different form. The original game, Fortnite: Save The World, launched in July 2017 as a player-versus-environment (PvE) game. However, it was the introduction of its Battle Royale mode in September 2017 that truly changed the game’s destiny.

Initially released on September 26, 2017, Fortnite Battle Royale quickly gained traction due to its innovative building mechanics, fast-paced gameplay, and free-to-play model. Players flocked to the game, and it didn’t take long before Epic Games introduced a structure that would become a staple of Fortnite: the season system.

Fortnite Season 1: The Beginning

Fortnite Season 1 officially began on October 25, 2017. It marked the first time players could purchase a Battle Pass, unlocking content by completing daily challenges and leveling up throughout the season. Season 1 set the standard for what future seasons would include, such as cosmetics, gliders, pickaxes, and new skins.

The first season was relatively simple compared to later, content-rich seasons. There were no theme-based storylines or live events, and the map was basic. However, it laid the groundwork for future developments that would make Fortnite a dynamic, ever-changing experience.

Key Features of Season 1:

• First introduction of the Battle Pass system
• No tiered skins or storyline
• Basic map with few landmarks
• Level cap was 70

Though modest in size and scope, Season 1 was a critical moment in gaming history. It set Fortnite on its path to becoming a multi-platform gaming powerhouse and community hub for social interaction, creativity, and competition.

A Complete Timeline of Fortnite Seasons

Since the launch of Season 1, Fortnite has gone through multiple chapters and dozens of seasons, each with its own theme, features, and gameplay innovations. Here’s a look at the full timeline up to recent seasons:

Chapter 1

1. Season 1: October 25, 2017 – December 13, 2017
2. Season 2: December 14, 2017 – February 21, 2018
3. Season 3: February 22, 2018 – April 30, 2018
4. Season 4: May 1, 2018 – July 12, 2018
5. Season 5: July 12, 2018 – September 27, 2018
6. Season 6: September 27, 2018 – December 6, 2018
7. Season 7: December 6, 2018 – February 28, 2019
8. Season 8: February 28, 2019 – May 9, 2019
9. Season 9: May 9, 2019 – August 1, 2019
10. Season X: August 1, 2019 – October 13, 2019

The end of Season X brought the infamous “Black Hole” event, which led to the launch of Chapter 2.

Chapter 2

1. Season 1: October 15, 2019 – February 20, 2020
2. Season 2: February 20, 2020 – June 17, 2020
3. Season 3: June 17, 2020 – August 27, 2020
4. Season 4: August 27, 2020 – December 1, 2020
5. Season 5: December 2, 2020 – March 16, 2021
6. Season 6: March 16, 2021 – June 8, 2021
7. Season 7: June 8, 2021 – September 13, 2021
8. Season 8: September 13, 2021 – December 4, 2021

The conclusion of Chapter 2 featured another world-changing finale, similar to the Chapter 1 black hole, leading into a brand-new landscape.

Chapter 3

1. Season 1: December 5, 2021 – March 19, 2022
2. Season 2: March 20, 2022 – June 4, 2022
3. Season 3: June 5, 2022 – September 17, 2022
4. Season 4: September 18, 2022 – December 3, 2022

Chapter 3 introduced new movement mechanics like sliding and updated visuals using Unreal Engine 5. However, it was surprisingly short-lived and paved the way for a more stable Chapter 4.

Chapter 4

1. Season 1: December 4, 2022 – March 8, 2023
2. Season 2: March 10, 2023 – June 9, 2023
3. Season 3: June 9, 2023 – August 25, 2023
4. Season 4 (OG): August 25, 2023 – December 2, 2023

Chapter 4 Season 4 returned to many elements of the old map, delighting longtime fans who missed the original layout featured back in Season 1. It served as a tribute to Fortnite’s roots while offering players modern gameplay enhancements.

Looking Ahead: Chapter 5 and Beyond

As of late 2023 and early 2024, Fortnite entered its Chapter 5, introducing massive collaborations, innovative game engines, and support for user-generated content via Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). This has allowed players to create their own maps, modes, and games, expanding Fortnite far beyond a Battle Royale and transforming it into a full-blown metaverse platform.

The evolution since Season 1 in 2017 has been nothing short of incredible. What started as a simple survival shooter with building mechanics has grown into a global platform for storytelling, creativity, and competition.

FAQs About Fortnite Season 1 and Timeline

• Q: When did Fortnite Season 1 start?
  A: Fortnite Season 1 began on October 25, 2017, following the release of Battle Royale mode on September 26, 2017.

• Q: What was special about Season 1?
  A: Season 1 was the first to introduce the Battle Pass system, which would become a core part of Fortnite’s