Fortnite players in India and globally have a major date circled on their calendars: January 9, 2025. This is when Epic Games will roll out the highly anticipated v39.20 update, marking the first major content drop of the year and, more excitingly, launching the official crossover with the iconic animated series, South Park.
Fortnite v39.20 Update: Release Timings and Server Downtime
The update process begins with scheduled server maintenance. Epic Games has confirmed that servers will go offline at 4:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) on January 9 to implement the new patch. For Indian players, this translates to 2:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the same day.
Based on the pattern of previous updates, the expected server downtime is approximately two hours. This means servers are projected to come back online, and the update will be available for download, around 6:00 AM ET or 4:30 PM IST. As always, players should monitor Epic Games' official social media channels for the precise "all clear" announcement.
Here is a quick regional breakdown for the update's release:
- India (IST): 2:30 PM, January 9
- UK (GMT): 9:00 AM
- Japan (JST): 6:00 PM
- Australia (AEDT): 8:00 PM
- UAE (GST): 1:00 PM
What's New in the Fortnite v39.20 South Park Update?
The v39.20 update is packed with content themed around the irreverent world of South Park, Colorado. The collaboration is set to introduce a suite of new items, characters, and potentially a new way to play.
The headline attraction is the arrival of five beloved characters as in-game skins. Players will soon be able to suit up as Stan, Kyle, Kenny, Cartman, and Butters, with each character reportedly featured in distinctive mech suits. Adding to the fun, the fan-favorite (and perpetually high) character, Towelie, will join the fray as a sidekick or companion.
Gameplay is also getting a shake-up with the introduction of the Stick of Truth Mythic item. This powerful artifact is rumored to grant players the ability to influence or alter the storm's behavior, a first for Fortnite's battle royale mechanics. Furthermore, whispers in the community suggest the update may debut a five-player squad mode, allowing for larger team formations.
To tie everything together, Epic is expected to launch a South Park-themed mini-pass. This will offer players a direct path to unlock many of the collaboration's exclusive cosmetic items and rewards through gameplay.
Gearing Up for the New Season
This update signifies a strong, pop-culture-heavy start to Fortnite's 2025 content roadmap. The South Park collaboration is poised to attract both dedicated players and fans of the long-running series, potentially leading to one of the most memorable in-game events of the season. Indian gamers should prepare for the afternoon downtime on January 9 and ensure their clients are ready to download the patch as soon as servers are live to jump straight into the chaos of South Park on the island.
