Fortnites 2019 Free Events Winterfest Playstation Plus Rewards And Apology Freebies

Fortnite, the popular battle royale game developed by Epic Games, offered multiple free events and promotional items to players throughout 2019. These freebies included limited-time events with daily rewards, platform-specific gifts for PlayStation Plus subscribers, and compensation items provided as apologies for scheduling errors. This article examines the various free content opportunities available to Fortnite players during 2019, detailing the eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and specific items distributed during these promotional periods.

Winterfest 2019 Free Presents

The most significant free event of the holiday season was Winterfest 2019, which Epic Games ran from December 18, 2019, to January 7, 2020. Despite being named a "fortnight" of gifts, the event actually spanned three weeks, giving players ample time to participate in the festivities and collect their rewards.

Players could access the Winterfest content through a new snowflake tab that appeared in the Fortnite lobby. Clicking this tab transported players to the Winterfest Lodge, where the free presents were available. Each day, players could open one new present, with a total of 14 presents available throughout the event. The items distributed through these presents included:

• 2 Outfits
• 2 Gliders
• 2 Pickaxes
• 2 Wraps
• 1 Emote
• Additional exclusive cosmetic items

For players who might miss a day during the event, Epic Games implemented a grace period. According to the official information, "If you miss any days, simply come back before January 7 to open them up." This flexibility ensured that even players with holiday travel plans or limited access to their gaming systems could still collect all available free items.

In addition to the daily presents, the Winterfest Lodge featured a stocking that contained daily challenges. Completing these challenges provided players with extra rewards and experience points. Similar to the presents, players could return to the lodge to complete challenges they had missed, ensuring all participants had the opportunity to earn these additional benefits.

The Winterfest event also incorporated several limited-time game modes and returning favorites. These included Wick's Bounty, Arsenal, and other special events that appeared between December 2019 and January 2, 2020. Zone Wars mode ran throughout the holiday period, providing additional gameplay variety for players during the festive season.

The Equalizer Glider Apology Freebie

In January 2019, Epic Games distributed a special free item as compensation for a scheduling error related to the "14 Days of Fortnite" event. The company had communicated an incorrect end date for the challenges, leading to confusion among players who believed they would have additional time to complete all challenges after the 14-day period concluded.

Epic Games addressed the issue through a Twitter announcement, stating, "We apologize for communicating the wrong end date for 14 Days of Fortnite on social channels." As an apology, the company offered the 14th reward from the event—the Equalizer glider—to any player who had completed at least one of the event's challenges.

The Equalizer glider featured a distinctive design with an equalizer visualization on its surface. When deployed during gameplay, the glider also played accompanying music, enhancing the visual and audio experience for players who acquired it. The company indicated that qualified players would receive the item in the "near future," though no specific timeline was provided for distribution.

This compensation gesture demonstrated Epic Games' responsiveness to player feedback and their commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with the Fortnite community. By providing a valuable cosmetic item that was originally part of the event, the company effectively addressed the scheduling confusion while still rewarding player participation.

PlayStation Plus Celebration Pack

Fortnite players who were also PlayStation Plus subscribers on PS4 received exclusive free items through the PlayStation Plus Celebration Pack. This promotional package, which appeared on the PlayStation Store, included two cosmetic items featuring PlayStation's blue and white color scheme:

• A custom glider
• An outfit

Both items were purely cosmetic and offered no gameplay advantages, maintaining the game's balance while still providing value to players. The Celebration Pack was available for a limited time, with the PlayStation Store description indicating that players had until February 2019 to claim their free items.

The distribution of platform-specific rewards demonstrated Epic Games' strategy of collaborating with hardware manufacturers to provide exclusive content to different player bases. These collaborations helped strengthen relationships between the developer, console manufacturers, and player communities while offering additional incentives for players to maintain their subscriptions.

Other Limited-Time Events and Rewards

Beyond the major free events mentioned above, Fortnite offered several other opportunities for players to acquire free content in 2019. The game regularly featured limited-time events that provided exclusive rewards, including special challenges, missions, and seasonal content.

Season 3 of Fortnite introduced a Battle Pass available for purchase with 950 V-Bucks. While not free, the Battle Pass system provided additional progression opportunities for players who invested in the premium content. The Battle Pass typically offered numerous cosmetic rewards at various levels, incentivizing continued play throughout the season.

Throughout 2019, Fortnite also incorporated various limited-time game modes that provided unique gameplay experiences and occasional free rewards. These modes rotated periodically, keeping the game fresh and encouraging players to return regularly to participate in new activities. The inclusion of returning favorites like Zone Wars demonstrated Epic Games' attention to player preferences and their willingness to bring back popular content based on community feedback.

Conclusion

Fortnite's 2019 promotional calendar offered multiple opportunities for players to acquire free content, ranging from extensive holiday events with daily rewards to compensation items for scheduling errors and platform-specific gifts. The Winterfest 2019 event provided the most substantial free offerings, with 14 days of presents containing various cosmetic items and daily challenges for additional rewards. The Equalizer glider apology freebie demonstrated Epic Games' commitment to addressing player concerns, while the PlayStation Plus Celebration Pack highlighted collaborations with console manufacturers.

These free events and items not only provided value to players but also encouraged regular engagement with the game, fostering a sense of community and excitement around Fortnite's evolving content. By offering substantial free content alongside premium options, Epic Games successfully maintained a balance between accessibility and monetization, contributing to the game's sustained popularity throughout 2019.

Sources

1. Fortnite Freebie Coming For Some Players After 14 Days Event Mix-Up
2. Fortnite is giving every player a fortnight of free gifts for Winterfest
3. Fortnite's giving all players free skins and other goodies for Christmas
4. Grab these Fortnite Battle Royale freebies if you're a PlayStation Plus member
5. Epic Games Store - Wikipedia