Fortnite: Hollow Knight, Predator, and Hazbin Hotel Join Fortnitemares

Epic Games has launched its annual Fortnitemares event, running from now until November 1, with a gameplay trailer revealing crossovers with Hollow Knight, Hazbin Hotel, and Predator coming later this October. It is the latest collection of pop-culture guests to drop into the battle royale, turning the island into a digital costume party where nobody agrees on the theme.

Teasers for properties like Nightmare on Elm Street, Beetlejuice, and Obsession have been shown. For a game that has spent years gathering intellectual properties, these new additions provide players with diverse entertainment options, allowing players to run from an alien hunter while dressed as a silent bug with a nail.

The details

• Event duration: Live now through November 1
• New crossovers: Hollow Knight, Predator, Hazbin Hotel, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Beetlejuice
• Free reward: The Jack-A-Nape monkey skin, unlocked by completing 26 event quests
• Returning mode: Horde Rush, featuring stat perks and an endless mode

How the loot pool is changing

Epic's gameplay adjustments alter how players secure their loadouts. The Pumpkin Launcher, historically a staple of October matches, has been removed from the standard loot pool. Instead of searching random chests, players have to access the Loot Hacks menu to acquire the weapon. Other options available within the Loot Hacks system include the Loot Hacker sprite variant, the Infantry Rifle, the LMG, Last Call, and Slap Candy Corn.

For those preferring up-close encounters, the update adds Freddy's Nightmare, a claw-like melee weapon modeled after Nightmare on Elm Street. The claws feature custom slashing combos, which can be optimized by collecting specific in-game sprites. For instance, equipping the 99 Nights in the Forest Deer sprite provides a direct boost to melee attacks, while players can also hunt down the Vampire, Spooky Dash, and Dumpster Dive sprites to modify their playstyles.

Where to find the chaos

The seasonal update divides its attention across multiple game modes. Blitz Royale offers a high-speed variant filled with chaotic weaponry, bringing back older event items like the Witch Broom alongside newly introduced armaments. For cooperative players, the traditional Horde Rush mode makes its October return. The mode now features a progression system where players level up during matches, unlocking specific character perks to boost their stats, survive the final boss, and transition into an endless mode.

On the primary Battle Royale map, players will encounter several newly designed Halloween-themed points of interest. These locations introduce spooky environmental details and distinct gameplay elements to match the seasonal shift.

Why it matters

Fortnitemares remains Epic's primary vehicle for major autumn player engagement, utilizing seasonal nostalgia and high-profile licensing to refresh the standard battle royale loop. By blending a variety of characters, the studio continues to promote its platform as a notable location for crossovers, ensuring there is a wide selection of character themes available.