Winter is coming, as Fortnite season 7 countdown begins

Excitement is high ahead of Fortnite season 7. Epic Games have teased its release today, sending the rumour mill into overdrive.

Winter is coming, and so is Fortnite season 7. Picture: Epic Games

The hype machine is in overdrive ahead of the latest season of wildly popular game Fortnite, as Epic Games revealed its more teasers and start date.

The announcement seems to have confirmed theories that #WinterIsComing in season 7, with parts of the map set to be transformed into a winter wonderland.

Epic Games have confirmed the start time of Season 7, with downtime begining on Thursday December 6th at 8pm AEDT. During this time Fortnite Battle Royale will be unplayable, until the start of Season 7 sometime later.

The third and final teaser released this morning confirms hidden details in the second teaser, showing a character travelling on a flying fox or zip-line.

If you look closer you can also see an airplane, possibly hinting that players will be able to take to the skies in a new vehicle.

Ascend to new heights... Season 7 starts tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/tCjPRsFvJf

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) December 5, 2018

Epic Games have also a brand new feature, with Fortnite Creative allowing players to design their own map features, custom games, race with friends and much more! Plus you get your own private island that saves any changes you want.

The second teaser released yesterday shows a character skiing, as well what appears to be someone travelling down a flying fox.

A frigid day dawns... 2 days to Season 7. pic.twitter.com/HDfj0G44fm

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) December 4, 2018

While this could just be a nod to incoming skins, this could also be hinting at gameplay changes, possibly including new transport methods to traverse a snow covered map. Being able to ski between locations at high speeds could be a potential game chager for Fortnite.

Meanwhile, players have reported seeing snow falling across the map as the iceberg approaches and begins making noise.

Snow is starting to fall on the Island (via/@Ta5tyy) pic.twitter.com/4uYhUb7ktw

— Fortnite: Battle Royale Leaks ❄️ (@FNBRLeaks) December 4, 2018

This comes after the first teaser was released on Tuesday, showing an icy silhouette with glowing white eyes and a crown.

A bitter ice spreads... 3 days to Season 7. pic.twitter.com/yj70svBXti

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) December 3, 2018

Fans pointed out that the figure could be an early reveal of a skin for the new season’s antagonist.

Overall the post remains vague on details, aside from the season 7 release date of December 6.

An exact release time is yet to be announced for Australian players, but given previous season release times, it is safe to expect the new season about 11pm ADST.

This theory started after eagle-eyed fans noticed an iceberg in the distance of the map, which has been moving closer and closer to an island.

Fans are gearing up for the seventh season of Fortnite. Picture: Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

As it approaches, players have seen what appears to be a castle mounted on top of the iceberg, confirming part of the leaks revealed by data miners.

Files in latest v6.31 patch note updates also found data for blizzards, snow animations, frosty breath and winter sound files.

#NEWS | It appears there is a castle on top of the ice berg which is headed towards the #Fortnite island. pic.twitter.com/YSnRhrOkkI

— First On Fortnite: Leaks & News (@FirstOnFortnite) November 30, 2018

Fortnite will continue to post more teasers in the lead-up to season 7, which we will report on in the coming days.

Wilson Smith is a gaming writer for news.com.au | @wilson_smithDT