Players are speculating what a new missile and countdown timers might mean for the game

FORTNITE players are puzzled over mysterious messages appearing on TV screens in the game and the appearance of a giant missile.

FORTNITE players around the globe should brace themselves because the world’s most popular video game is about to be a whole lot different.

Eagle-eyed sleuths have been discovering clues and hints in both the actual game and Fortnite code which suggest the map could soon be hit by a cataclysmic event that will reshape everything people know about the popular title.

Many fans believe a huge missile that has appeared on a mountain located in northeast of Snobby Shores could explode and remove a large area from the game.

The move would not be unprecedented, as developer Epic Games did something similar in April when a meteor shower reshaped the main island and created new landscapes.

Epic Games used the meteor to mark the end of season three of Fortnite, with speculation the missile launch could be used to bring season four to a close.

Each season brings new weapons, new cosmetic appearance items and changes to the map.

The missile appears through a hole in the mountain, which also acts as an entry point for the villain’s lair.

Once a player reaches the base of the missile, they discover a hologram of a missile located above the control panel, leaving people to think the launch might not be too far off.

#Fortnite Missile Hologram at Villain Base near Snobby! 🙄🚀 pic.twitter.com/VLzRSU9Zay

— HispanicTi7anic💋 (@Hispanicti7anic) June 16, 2018

@TmarTn @HollowPoiint The missile isgonna hit Moisty Mire because as you remember the guy that leaked season 4 (the Fortnite employee) he said that there will be no Moisty Mire at the end of the season.

— KvngSavage (@kvngsavage18) June 20, 2018

Adding to the speculation of a missile launch are messages appearing on in-game televisions.

The Nintendo Switch version of Fortnite, which launched earlier this month, has been broadcasting a countdown clock in ominous red letters on TVs during gameplay.

Likewise, the televisions in the PC and console versions of the game have been broadcasting a picture of a skull in a similar color scheme to the Switch countdown.

New Missile Launch Countdown Found On TV'S... Thoughts🤔 #Fortnite #Fortnitebr pic.twitter.com/a4ku5mLChp

— HispanicTi7anic💋 (@Hispanicti7anic) June 16, 2018

Also can confirm the Tv's that previously displayed the skull now show the same countdown timer.@FortniteGame @EpicGames @Ninja @TSM_Myth #fortnite #epicgames #fortniteBR pic.twitter.com/2202pcLPFU

— Oakley (@AUSSIE_DEMOMx) June 19, 2018

What's the update on the missile launch and the tv screens? #fortnite #FortniteBattleRoyale

— Sam (@PeateElite) June 19, 2018

However, not everyone is sold on the idea of the missile launch, with people looking at the game’s code believing one player will be able to launch the rocket every game.

The rocket will start on Tuesday 17:00 CET. According to the game files you will be able to launch it with a button in the villain's lair! pic.twitter.com/PP6pww6d8Q

— DieBuddies (@TwoEpicBuddies) June 17, 2018

While others think it hints toward a space themed season of the game.

My Fortnite Season 5 predictions: The missile will launch opening up a new space themed map (hence spacesuit skins), new items like grappling hooks, speed boost backpacks, 'slow sludge' to slow players/prevent building and finally weapons skins. Let me know your predictions! 🔫 pic.twitter.com/C2sZ4LzjXk

— Brandon Salt (@iambrandonsalt) June 18, 2018

Obviously none of these rumours have been confirmed, so players will just have to wait for the countdown to end to see what the missile really means.

Continue the conversation in the comments below and with Matthew Dunn on Facebook and Twitter.

Originally published as Players are speculating what a new missile and countdown timers might mean for the game