Fortnite's High Stakes update brings limited-time Getaway game mode

Stop building and start stealing.

Jason Parker Senior Editor / Reviews - Software

Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.

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Jason Parker

Sept. 4, 2018 9:42 a.m. PT

After a tease Friday at the Penny Arcade Expo Friday, Epic Games has officially unveiled its new Fortnite: Battle Royale game mode: The Getaway. It launches Wednesday, and pits squads against each other as they search for one of four safes on the Fortnite map, steal the jewel it contains and make their getaway in an escape van as other squads try to hunt them down. The first squad that gets the jewel to their van successfully wins the game.

Will you get away with the jewel? #HighStakes launches tomorrow. 💎💼🚐 pic.twitter.com/OnopM9TnID
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) September 4, 2018

Coming next week: The Getaway LTM! #Fortnite pic.twitter.com/oHQ0DGcowH
— Fortnite Battle Royale News (@FortniteBR) September 3, 2018

Epic Games frequently updates Fortnite with new skins, weapons, gameplay tweaks and giant cubes, and Fortnite players are by now accustomed to seeing game modes recycled from the past. But The Getaway is a bigger departure from the standard Fortnite formula than recent limited-time events.

Along with the new limited-time game mode, Epic Games teased new Wild Card outfits, a new Safe Cracker glider, and other heist-themed items that will become available in the store Wednesday.