Jonesy sitting on a barrel might be Fortnite’s latest hint at a One Piece mini-season. A newly discovered loading screen and an ominous pirate chest have added to the rumors, though Epic Games hasn’t announced the theme.
The discoveries come from Chapter 7 Season 4’s final update, released Oct. 15. It added the remaining Fortnitemares content ahead of Halloween, as Fortnite prepares for its annual mini-season between chapters.
Epic uses these themed mini-seasons to help players transition. Last year, The Simpsons took over: Springfield replaced the map, and players could unlock themed, cel-shaded cosmetics through the mini-pass. Over the past few weeks, rumors have pointed to One Piece, the best-selling manga and anime series, as this year’s theme.
Fortnite game files hint at One Piece crossover season
Among the latest update’s files, data miners uncovered an ominous pirate chest believed to be tied to the season finale. That event is expected to send players somewhere new. Blue Planet is one possible destination, but it hasn’t been confirmed.
The chest also appears in a new lore loading screen, tumbling through a crack in reality with Jonesy and Hope. As they descend toward a new map, Hope lies flat with a confident expression. Jonesy, meanwhile, is perched on a barrel.
[IMAGE:static0.polygonimages.com characters falling into a new world]The barrel is the clearest link to One Piece. In Chapter 2 of the manga, Luffy climbs out of a barrel that washed up on a beach. Fortnite’s loading screens often carry story details, so Jonesy’s pose could be another clue to the upcoming mini-season. It could just as easily be a coincidence, rather than confirmation of a crossover.
Chapter 8 will replace the current Battle Royale island, weapons, theme, and key mechanics. First comes the mini-season: it begins Nov. 1, the same day Chapter 7 Season 4 ends.
